Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Manufacturing | Lean Office | Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership

This week's guest is Jared Thatcher. Jared wrote a book on using lean at home, including KPIs and visual management. While you don't have to be a parent to enjoy this episode, Jared does share some powerful ways lean can improve your parenting. MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Jared (1:37) Jared's background (3:05) About lean parenting (7:19) Using lean at home (8:16) Using KPIs at home (14:32) Some Visual Management examples (20:18) Getting started (24:55) About the virtual lean summit (30:42) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Parenting the Lean Way Jared on LinkedIn Virtual Lean Summit What Do You Think? How else could lean apply to parenting?

This week's guest is Glade Holman. Glade has a coaching and consulting background, and he explained his work as a "feedback specialist." Ron and Glade discussed the nuances of giving and receiving feedback, including feedback jiu-jitsu. MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Glade (2:36) Glade's background (3:10) About generative feedback (7:31) How we receive feedback (12:21) About feedback jiu-jitsu (14:56) Ron's advice to "play in the middle" (17:10) The power of box breathing (21:20) How he came up with feedback jiu-jitsu (24:22) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Glade on LinkedIn LearningBridge What Do You Think? Are you receptive to feedback? Why or why not?

This week's guest is Steve Pereira. Steve and Ron discussed Steve's minimalist approach to value stream mapping, and how it differs from other approaches. Steve doesn't have a traditional lean background, but his perspective is refreshing and unique. MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Steve (3:02) Steve's background (5:56) His experience with knowledge work (10:14) About collaborative mapping (11:30) His approach to value stream mapping (16:45) Steve's value stream mapping style (23:41) His primary emphasis (26:54) Identifying poor performance areas (29:26) Harmonizing tools with value stream maps (33:59) Adopting a minimalist approach to value stream mapping (39:43) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Visible Visible Value Stream Resources Flow Collective Flow Engineering eBook VSM Consortium What Do You Think? Descr

This week's guest is Kelly Mallery. Kelly and Ron talked all about coaching, the skills involved, and the challenges Kelly has faced. A Lead Lean Manufacturing Specialist at GE Aviation, Kelly also shared some of her coaching success stories. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Kelly (2:08) Kelly's background (3:09) What coaching looks like for Kelly (5:11) The role of humility (7:22) What happens when she met resistance (9:33) Some of the challenges Kelly faced (11:18) Leaving hints as a coach (14:06) The skills you need to be a good coach (16:37) About matching and pacing (18:06) A coaching "win" Kelly is proud of (23:06) Kelly's advice for those new to coaching (25:49) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Kelly on LinkedIn Match, Pace, Lead NMU Match, Pace, Lead Powerpoint Neuro-Linguistic Programming What Do You

This week's guests are Peter and Ed Schein, prominent figures in the leadership and organizational culture fields. A father-son team, they discussed the books they've written, the concept of Humble Inquiry, vulnerability in leadership, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  A quote Peter likes (4:24) A quote Ed likes (6:55) Ed's background (8:12) Peter's background (10:23) What "humble inquiry" means (14:39) The MIC acronym (20:17) Listening to understand (23:33) The seesaw of asking and revealing (26:57) The role of vulnerability in humility (32:33) Whether a leader can fake humble inquiry (37:09) The different levels of relationships (42:56) Advice for senior leaders (46:23) Ed's story about Peter (54:17) Peter's story about Ed (56:54) How the book series ties together (58:24) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com OCLI OCLI on Li

This week's guests are Tracey and Ernie Richardson. Tracey and Ernie broke down leading and lagging indicators, balancing the two, and some examples of both. They also explained the role standards play in navigating these indicators. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire Tracey and Ernie (3:11) How things have been going for Tracey and Ernie (4:52) Leading vs. lagging indicators (7:51) Examples of these indicators (11:58) Balancing leading and lagging indicators (17:56) Having standards (20:57) The role of standardization in indicators (25:21) The people side of continuous improvement (28:51) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com The Toyota Engagement Equation Website The Toyota Engagement Equation on Amazon Tracey on LinkedIn Ernie on LinkedIn What Do You Think? What has been your experience with leading and lagging indicato

This week's guest is Robert Penney. Robert, whose background is in construction, explained how the industry uses lean, what tools they use, etc. Robert also had some great books to recommend. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires (2:01) Robert's background (3:11) What lean means to construction (5:03) What tools they're using (7:06) How they facilitated the value stream management (9:31) The challenges they face (10:59) How lean in construction is recognized (15:01) Delays in construction (22:01) How COVID-19 impacted their industry (24:03) Robert's advice (27:52) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com The Goal The Phoenix Project The Lean Builder The Pull Planning Playbook What Do You Think? How did COVID-19 impact your industry? Did lean help?

This week's guests are Karyn Ross and Jessica House. Karyn and Jessica talked about their work with kindness, mental health, and psychological safety in the workplace. They then walked Ron through the 5Cs and how you can deliberately practice them. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote they created (3:55) Mental health and psychological safety (6:52) What is and isn't psychological safety (8:02) About the 5Cs (11:10) Clear expectations (12:01) Connect regularly (15:49) Care genuinely (19:45) Consistent kindness (22:21) Coregulate emotion (33:40) About the document they created (36:48) Advice for implementing the 5Cs (37:33) Final words of wisdom (43:53) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Preorder The Kind Leader Karyn's Website Karyn on LinkedIn The New School for Kind Leaders on LinkedIn The Love and Kindness Project Foundatio

This week's guest is Greg Woods.  Ron and Greg talked about the various approaches to visual management, including physical and digital strategies. They also discussed the obeya method and what it entails. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Greg is inspired by (1:43) Greg's background (2:04) What visual management means to Greg (4:04) The different levels of visual management (5:03) The whiteboard approach (6:43) About digital visual management (12:25) How a virtual gemba walk or obeya works (13:31) The next frontier of lean (17:57) Greg's final words of wisdom (20:21) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com iObeya Greg on LinkedIn Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes ac

This week's guest is Kyle Kumpf. Ron and Kyle discussed Kyle's experience using lean in engineering versus banking, and what he's learned from the pandemic. Kyle also explained why he wants to use process improvement to end human suffering. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire Kyle (2:37) Kyle's background (4:46) The meaning behind his LinkedIn headline (7:55) About Kyle's transition to banking (11:12) What Kyle has learned over the last three years (14:16) How it relates to golfing (16:18) What Kyle has learned from the pandemic (21:04) Kyle's final words of wisdom (24:39 Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Lean Thinking Kyle on LinkedIn Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes will be download

This week's guest is Kieran Dougall. Ron and Kieran discussed Kieran's manufacturing background and how he discovered lean. Kieran also described his experience with karate and how it relates to lean. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes Kieran likes (2:41) Kieran's background (4:35) Discovering lean (6:48) Why practicing lean became a necessity (9:54) How he learned about lean (12:52) Kieran's karate experience (16:30) Using Japanese vs. English terminology (21:18) Advice for those getting started with lean (29:37) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Kieran on LinkedIn Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and smartphone. The easiest way for iPhone users to listen

This week we're releasing another solo episode by GA Co-Founder Ron Pereira. Ron talks a little bit about our new Agile Kanban course(s), and about the power of Agile Kanban in general. He then breaks down each of the four main principles. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Ron wants to share (0:45) Ron's first experience with Agile Kanban (2:42) How to use Agile Kanban at work (5:13) What purpose it serves (7:22) About the four Agile Kanban principles (8:18) The first principle (8:55) The second principle (10:54) The third principle (13:53) The fourth principle (15:57) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Introduction to Agile Kanban Course Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your

This week's guest is Jessica House. Jessica's background is in both continuous improvement and mental health, and she explained to Ron how the two worlds intersect. This episode is another great example of the universal applicability of lean. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Jessica (3:16) Jessica's background (4:33) How lean and mental health are related (6:33) How Jessica's background has influenced how she practices lean (12:35) Fighting confirmation bias (19:01) How her lean background influences her work in mental health counseling (21:44) Using lean tools in a counseling context (28:59) Jessica's final words of wisdom (30:28) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Jessica on LinkedIn LightHouse on Facebook LightHouse on Instagram LightHouse Website Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If

This week's guest is Scott Keenan. Scott described his continuous improvement journey, and the work he's been doing with Alan Wire. Ron and Scott also discussed our Toyota Kata course, and Alan Wire's experience with Kata in the Classroom. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that Scott likes (3:21) Scott's background (4:12) His continuous improvement journey (5:40) Some of the challenges they've overcome (9:46) Why they do continuous improvement (11:14) Their journey with Toyota Kata (14:43) Getting people bought into a new concept (18:34) How "Kata in the Classroom" helped (22:33) The Domino exercise (25:13) Scott's final words of wisdom (30:34) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Gemba Academy Toyota Kata Course Scott on LinkedIn Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be s

This week's guest is Rick Foreman. Ron and Rick covered a lot of ground, including Federal Heath's lean journey, and creating a strong culture of continuous improvement. Rick also gave some advice on "selling" others on the power of lean. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Rick (4:01) About our Kaizen Way course (4:42) Rick's background (6:56) About Federal Heath (8:47) Federal Heath's lean journey (10:59) Their book club (15:53) The keys to achieving and sustaining culture (18:35) Identifying a strong culture of continuous improvement (23:15) A "sales pitch" on lean (26:04) What to do when your leadership is not bought into lean (35:06) Some of the challenges Federal Heath faces (49:27) Rick's final words of wisdom (55:24) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Gemba Academy "The Kaizen Way" Course Federal Heath Rick o

This week's guest is Brent Weichers. Brent, who has a ton of continuous improvement knowledge, shared how he developed two different internship programs. He also explained why having interns benefits everyone, and how you can start your own program. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Brent (3:44) Brent's background (6:05) Hiring interns (9:45) What the interns do (11:32) The training and what they learned (16:24) More benefits of having interns (17:30) The best way to start an intern program (20:54) What else Brent is working on (23:58) Relating the eight wastes to your personal life (26:09) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Brent on LinkedIn GA 272 | The Role of Lean in Empowering People with Disabilities with Brent Weichers GA 304 | The Different Approaches to Training Leaders with Brent Weichers The Lighthouse for t

This week's guest is Jonathan Jones. Jonathan shared his background in the culinary, hospitality, and manufacturing industries. Jonathan also described his continuous improvement journey at Moog, his favorite continuous improvement tools, and more. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire Jonathan (2:17) Jonathan's background (3:58) Jonathan's favorite tools (12:35) His approach to company culture (14:20) Ron's examples of how he continuously improves everyday (18:48) Jonathan's final words of wisdom from Deming (28:12) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Jonathan on LinkedIn Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and smartphone. The easiest way for iPhone users

This week's guest is Ron Pereira. Ron discussed two books by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, specifically their teachings on dichotomies and balance. Inspired by this, Ron described three of the dichotomies he's observed in continuous improvement. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  About Extreme Ownership (3:38) About The Dichotomy of Leadership (4:30) The parallels to continuous improvement (6:04) Lean versus Six Sigma (6:37) Revisiting standards and standard work (10:59) Coaching and micromanagement (14:30) Focusing on one factor at a time (22:12) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Extreme Ownership The Dichotomy of Leadership The Dichotomy of Continuous Improvement Blog Post Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes

This week's guest is Liam O'Malley. Liam shared his continuous improvement journey with us, specifically his experience with Lean Daily Management Systems. Liam explained the benefits and offered some great advice for those getting started. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire Liam (3:05) Liam's background (4:44) An example from his early days as a machine operator (8:29) About Lean Daily Management Systems (14:03) How it works over the course of a day (16:48) How long they've been using a LDMS (27:14) Liam's advice for those embarking on an LDMS journey (29:03) Liam's final words of wisdom (35:47) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Liam on LinkedIn Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes will b

This week's guest is Nik Kottha. Ron and Nik covered several important topics, including what Nik has learned from yoga, what excellence means to him, and where his passion comes from. Nik also stressed the importance of coaching. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Nik (4:58) Nik's background (6:19) Nik's experience with yoga (9:36) His meditation practice (13:49) What excellence means to Nik (15:51) Where Nik's passion comes from (18:55) Finding the balance and persevering (20:17) The role of coaching (24:39) Nik's final words of wisdom (29:28) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Leanwrx Leanwrx on Instagram Nik on LinkedIn The Four Agreements Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes wi