Podcasts about continuous improvement

How often do you find yourself racing from meeting to meeting, rushing through tasks, or filling every silence with your own voice? In our doing-oriented culture, pausing feels uncomfortable—even counterproductive. Yet left unchecked, our instinct for action and answers can limit learning, development, and innovation.In this episode, I explore the power of the pause and why mastering it may be one of the most transformative leadership habits you can develop. Pausing with purpose—slowing down to create space for silence, reflection, and intentional action—actually accelerates your impact. It's in the pause—the space between our “doing”—that learning deepens, decisions improve, and people grow. Whether you're leading a team, coaching others, or developing your own learning mindset, this episode will help you discover the power of the pause to drive performance, engagement, and lasting change.YOU'LL LEARN:Why silence feels uncomfortable—and how our instinct to fill the space with our thinking limits growth, reflection, and learningHow embracing ma (間), the Japanese concept of “ meaningful space between”, creates the conditions for learning, understanding, and transformation The importance of intentional reflection (hansei) to cultivate a  learning culture rooted in continuous improvementWhy mastering the pause creates ripple effects across your team, transforms your leadership, and leads to better resultsThree ways to develop the power of the pause as a transformational leadership habit to create clarity, ownership, and insightIMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/56 Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:01:50 The benefits of mastering the pause 02:12 Why silence is uncomfortable making us want to keep things moving05:05 Katie's aha moment of the telling habit08:58 How to pause to create space for others to think10:16 How the pause is used in Japanese culture13:18 The meaning of ma (間) and how to apply this concept15:41 How reflection (hansei) is deeply rooted in Toyota's culture16:17 An example of how Agustín created pauses in the busyness of the usual work routines to give space for conversations17:47 Why the power of the pause is three-fold17:51 [ONE] Restore the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Adjust) cycle18:20 [TWO] Pausing gives others space to think18:46 [THREE] The pause shifts you from being reactive to proactive19:40 Three ways to practice the power of the pause19:44 [FIRST] Count silently to 10 after you ask an open question20:01 [SECOND] Schedule reflection and thinking time for yourself and for your team20:22 [THIRD] Practice the Intention Pause21:32 The benefits of holding back before sharing your idea

Turning your consulting or coaching expertise into a product, program, or technology that customers will pay for sounds exciting, but making that shift is not just a minor tweak. It is a complete business transformation that affects everything: • Your offers • Your messaging • Your marketing • Your value proposition • Your entire path to scale If you are feeling the grind of constantly chasing clients or working one on one with no room to grow, you might be craving more scale, more impact, and maybe even some passive revenue. That is when the idea of a product based business starts calling. Here is the truth that many consultants overlook. Switching from services to products can be incredibly rewarding if it is the right move for you and if it is done in the right way. That is why in this episode we are talking with Calvin Williams, an industrial engineer turned operations and continuous improvement leader who built a successful consulting business and then transformed it into Improver, a subscription based software platform that helps companies strengthen continuous improvement cultures at scale. In this conversation Calvin shares both sides of his journey: Corporate leader to independent consultant Consultant to tech and product founder You will walk away with real world insight on what it takes to productize your expertise, build with your strengths, and choose the business model that truly fits you. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The strengths you need to succeed as a product creator Ways to reduce risk and ramp into entrepreneurship wisely How to apply Lean thinking to evolving your business When technology + coaching is the winning combo The mindset shift required to scale beyond client hours Where To Dive In: (00:00) Turning Consulting Expertise Into Product-Based Business(11:46) Entrepreneurship and Consulting Transition(18:02) Launching a Consulting Business Successfully(23:45) Embracing Entrepreneurial Mindset and Growth(31:57) Evolution of Lean Manufacturing Software(39:55) Continuous Improvement and Business Success(44:05) Building a Product-Based Business Model(51:47) Product vs. Service Mindset in Business(56:21) Maximizing Business Potential Through Continuous Improvement(01:02:41) Exploring Potential Business Opportunities Other episodes you may enjoy: Episode 120: Positioning Your Consulting Business for the Right Clients Episode 122: What No One Tells You About Sustaining Success as a Solopreneur About the guest: Calvin Williams is the founder and CEO of Impruver Inc., a company dedicated to helping organizations build continuous improvement cultures that unlock real freedom for people, businesses, and communities. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, he became the first in his family to earn a college degree, receiving his Industrial Engineering degree on a Division I athletic scholarship before later completing his MBA and working in top tier management consulting. Calvin believes continuous improvement is not a program but a daily battle between those who push for better and those who settle for the status quo, and he partners with operational excellence leaders to ensure the improvers win. About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling.

What You'll Learn:In this episode, host Patrick Adams and guest Craig Tedrow discuss the importance of long-term sustainment in organizational processes. Craig shares his journey from resisting Lean practices to embracing them, emphasizing the need for leaders to involve employees and revisit improvements regularly. They highlight the significance of clear expectations, enabling action, and sustaining improvements. About the Guest:Craig Tedrow is an experienced Continuous Improvement professional with a strong background in the automotive, aerospace, and defense industries. Known for his ability to bridge the gap between frontline workers and organizational goals, he brings expertise in training coordination, process improvement, and team development. With an Associate's degree in Computer and Information Sciences from Grand Rapids Community College, Craig combines technical understanding with a people-centered approach to leadership.Links:Click Here For Craig Tedrow's LinkedIn

In today's episode, Kevin chats with Jason Morin, Senior Director of Continuous Improvement and Engineering at ID Logistics. They discuss how technology, user experience, and continuous improvement intersect in today's warehouse operations. ID Logistics is a global 3PL operating across 18 countries with nearly 18 million square feet of space dedicated to e-commerce, FMCG, food and beverage, healthcare, high-tech, and more.Jason shares insights on ID's internal labor management system, its global AI initiative, and why he believes good user experience design is critical for warehouse management systems. He also reflects on lessons from the floor, from identifying process breakdowns to balancing technology with human capability, offering a candid look at how warehouses can adapt to rapid change while staying focused on what matters most—making work easier and more efficient for people.Learn more about The Brecham Group here. Get better visibility with Surgere. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

The blog postThis blog summarizes key insights from a comprehensive whitepaper detailing UMass Memorial Health's remarkable transformation journey. When Dr. Eric Dickson stepped into the CEO role at UMass Memorial Health (UMMH) in 2013, he inherited what most would consider an impossible situation. The healthcare system was hemorrhaging money with a record $55 million operating loss, teetering on the edge of defaulting on publicly traded debt, and struggling with poor patient and staff satisfaction scores. Decision-making had ground to a halt, with executive departures leaving leadership gaps throughout the organization.Fast-forward eleven years, and UMMH tells a dramatically different story. One that offers powerful lessons for any organization seeking sustainable transformation through continuous improvement. Here are the key takeaways from their journey:

In this episode of the Leadership and Learning Podcast, host Randy Goruk welcomes Steve Harms, General Manager at Builders FirstSource, who draws on over 40 years of experience in the building materials industry. Steve shares his journey from humble beginnings to leading successful improvement initiatives, including the implementation of Kata teams, fostering a culture of ownership, and achieving outstanding results in safety, quality, and productivity. Packed with practical stories, expert insights, and leadership advice, this episode offers inspiration and tools for leaders eager to build a thriving, continuously improving organization. Listeners will gain actionable insights and real examples to help implement or enhance continuous improvement in their own organizations. You will learn: The importance and mindset of continuous improvement as a daily commitment. The concept of employee engagement and practical ways to give employees ownership and responsibility for their work. Results of the Kata continuous improvement methodology in manufacturing. Key metrics for success: safety, quality, and productivity and how to measure and improve them. Recognizing early warning signs of employee disengagement and strategies to address them. Effective leadership practices, including the value of humility ("free yourself from ego") and building trust. Training and empowering leaders and teams to take initiative and drive sustained improvements. Adapting operations to environmental challenges, while maintaining engagement and efficiency. Step-by-step methods for starting small with improvement teams and scaling success within an organization. The value of mentorship, leadership consistency, and enjoying the journey of improvement.

Send us a textWhat if the fastest way to scale isn't hiring more people, but removing the friction that slows the people you already have? We sit down with executive coach and lean practitioner Lorraine Armijos to break down a simple, repeatable way to grow: align strategy, process, and people, then empower the front line to solve problems where the work happens.We start with the mindset shift founders struggle with most—slow down to go fast. Lorraine shows how to define the real problem before fixing it, using observation, data, and root cause thinking to avoid the trap of quick wins that don't stick. From there, we dig into daily huddles and lightweight problem-solving rituals that turn scattered effort into steady momentum. Leaders set direction, teams own the path, and everyone sees how their work ties to clear metrics that ladder up to the company's goals.Lorraine also demystifies lean without the jargon: create value, remove waste, and build a culture where experiments are celebrated for the learning they produce. We talk about the right role for AI—after you simplify—and how to prevent automation from scaling chaos. A real client story shows how five-minute leadership huddles cascaded to frontline stand-ups, improved alignment across departments, and delivered measurable gains in performance and engagement.If you're a founder or operator ready to trade constant firefighting for compounding progress, this conversation gives you practical steps to start today: define success at every level, listen to the people closest to the work, and build a cadence that turns insights into action. Subscribe, share with a teammate who's drowning in busywork, and tell us: what's the one bottleneck you'll cut this week?Reach out to Lorraine and get the free tools here:https://www.larinsights.com/scalingwithpeople

In this special bonus episode of Lean Blog Interviews, Mark Graban is joined by C.J. Kaufman, Education Chair for the ASQ Cincinnati Section, to preview the ASQ Southwest Ohio 2025 Conference, themed “Excellence Through Quality.” Episode page with transcript, video, and more Taking place Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Mason, Ohio, the event brings together quality professionals from the Cincinnati and Dayton regions for a half-day of engaging speakers, practical insights, and networking — plus an optional afternoon workshop with Mark. C.J. shares how the conference was designed collaboratively by the Cincinnati and Dayton ASQ Sections, what attendees can expect, and why psychological safety is a cornerstone topic for today's quality and Lean leaders. Highlights Event Overview: ASQ Southwest Ohio 2025 — a collaboration between Cincinnati and Dayton sections. Theme: Excellence Through Quality — exploring leadership, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Keynote: Mark Graban on Psychological Safety, Quality, and Continuous Improvement. Featured Speakers Include: Deb Coviello — Leading Quality Susan Marshall — FDA Perspectives on ROI in Quality Management Colleen Soppelsa — Group Intelligence in Problem-Solving Optional Workshop: Hands-on Lean learning with Mark Graban in the afternoon session. Why It Matters: Quality and continuous improvement thrive when organizations foster safety, trust, and engagement. Quotable Moments “Psychological safety is essential for positive change — without it, continuous improvement can't sustain.” — Mark Graban “We want people to leave with practical things they can use Monday morning.” — C.J. Kaufman “Excellence through quality isn't just a theme — it's how we build better systems and better workplaces.” — Mark Graban Event Details Location: Mason, Ohio Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025 Time: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Workshop to follow) Includes: Breakfast + Lunch More Info & Registration -- ASQ Cincinnati Section Website Related Links Mark Graban – Psychological Safety Resources Lean Blog Interviews Archive

Send us a MessageIn this episode of Culture Change RX, Sue Tetzlaff discusses the essential elements of developing high-performing teams in healthcare. She emphasizes that high performance is a continuous journey rather than a destination. She highlights the importance of distinguishing between behavior, performance, and contributions. Sue outlines leadership practices that foster team growth, the significance of feedback, and the need for leaders to engage in meaningful conversations with their employees. The episode concludes with a call to action for leaders to embrace these practices to elevate their teams and organizations ongoingly.Developing high-performing teams is a continual pursuit.Each team member should always strive to improve their behavior, performance, and contributions.Feedback is essential for individual and team growth.Recognizing positive behaviors encourages their repetition.Leaders must set clear expectations for behavior, performance, and contributions.Effective feedback can be both informal and formal.Engaging in conversations about performance fosters improvement.Leaders play a crucial role in helping their employees and teams improve and succeed.Capstone helps rural hospitals be the provider- and employer-of-choice to keep care local and margins strong. Learn more via a complimentary consultation call. Schedule at: CapstoneLeadership.net/Contact-UsHi! I'm Sue Tetzlaff. I'm a culture and execution strategist for small and rural healthcare organizations - helping them to be the provider and employer-of-choice so they can keep care local and margins strong.For decades, I've worked with healthcare organizations to navigate the people-side of healthcare, the part that can make or break your results. What I've learned is this: culture is not a soft thing. It's the hardest thing, and it determines everything.When you're ready to take your culture to the next level, here are three ways I can help you:1. Listen to the Culture Change RX PodcastEvery week, I share conversations with leaders who are transforming healthcare workplaces and strategies for keeping teams engaged, patients loyal, and margins healthy. 2. Subscribe to our Email NewsletterGet practical tips, frameworks, and leadership tools delivered right to your inbox—plus exclusive content you won't find on the podcast.

Why we learn the most when we accept that we might be wrong.Effective communication isn't about having all the answers. As Astro Teller knows, it's about finding (and sometimes fumbling) your way through the questions.Teller is a computer scientist, entrepreneur, and inventor who serves as Captain of Moonshots at X, Alphabet's Moonshot Factory. In his work leading teams toward audacious solutions to seemingly unsolvable problems, he embraces what he calls “a learning journey,” where being wrong isn't the end, but the beginning. “As scary as it is to be wrong,” he says, it's a necessary part of the discovery process. Whether experimenting in the lab or testing our thoughts and opinions in conversation with others, it's about having the humility and curiosity to face the limits of our understanding. “When do you learn something? You learn something when you have a model about the world, and then you get some data that tells you you're wrong,” he says. “You learn nothing when you're right.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Teller and host Matt Abrahams discuss how embracing uncertainty drives innovation, why leaders should reward learning habits over outcomes, and how we learn the most when we're not afraid to find that we might be wrong.To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.Episode Reference Links:Astro TellerAstro's Book: Sacred Cows Ep.70 Ideas Fuel Innovation: Why Your First Ideas Aren't Always the Best Ep.20 Question Your Questions: How to Spark Creativity in Your Communication Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:18) - Defining a Moonshot (04:21) - Building a Learning Machine (07:00) - Learning vs. Productivity (08:35) - Capturing and Sharing Learning (10:49) - Rewarding Habits, Not Outcomes (13:17) - Moonshot Success Stories (16:16) - The Power of Storytelling in Innovation (17:46) - Launching The Moonshot Podcast (19:37) - The Final Three Questions (25:27) - Conclusion  ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription.Support Think Fast Talk Smart by joining TFTS Premium.   

What You'll Learn:In this episode, hosts Patrick Adams and Andy Olrich discuss Andy's recent trip to the US for the Lean Solutions Global Summit. Andy, was a speaker and judge at the summit's Lean Solutions Competition. He notes the success of advanced manufacturing centers and the importance of lean and best practice tools. Patrick and Andy reflect on the new Lean Solutions office, emphasizing its immersive training environment and community service.About the Guest:Andy Olrich is a Business Improvement Specialist with over 25 years of experience driving meaningful change across industries including Mining, Manufacturing, Ports, Supply Chain and Logistics, Health, and Government services. With a strong foundation in trades and engineering, Andy has led Operations and Maintenance teams while leveraging formal expertise in Lean, Lean Six Sigma, Change Management, Agile, and related disciplines.Known for his energetic facilitation and people-focused approach, Andy combines a customer-centric mindset with a deep commitment to community engagement. As an international speaker, coach, and co-host of the Lean Solutions Podcast, he empowers individuals and organizations to enhance processes, reduce risk, improve customer experiences, and deliver sustainable outcomes.Links:North St. Partners WebsiteClick Here For Andy Olrich's LinkedIn

Do you end each day full of energy or drained and in need of recovery? This week's guest, Ben Simpson, believes that our working lives should be a source of vitality, and not something we have to recover from, and he shares his insights on how to achieve that.Ben is the Chair of the Deming Alliance in the UK and co-founder of VitalOrg, so he knows plenty about what makes organisations and people tick. Plus, you hear from hosts James Lawther and Jimmy Barber to see if their working lives were ever a source of vitality.If that isn't enough, James takes a walk down memory lane, visiting universities with his daughter, whilst Jimmy is just back from the sun, with panda eyes to prove it. Got a question - get in touch. Click here.

: In this episode of the Move The Ball podcast, host Jen Garrett breaks down the "edge equation" for leaders and high achievers: how to stay sharp, relevant, and ahead in a saturated leadership world. Jen shares personal stories, practical frameworks, and actionable strategies for maintaining your edge through clarity, energy, visibility, and risk-taking. Whether you're an executive, entrepreneur, or athlete, you'll learn how to avoid edge erosion, continually evolve, and stand out in competitive environments. Episode Highlights: The Edge Equation Explained [3:26]Jen introduces the "edge equation": Edge = Clarity × Energy × Visibility × Risk-Taking, and explains why each factor is essential for staying sharp as a leader. Avoiding Edge Erosion [2:22]Discussion on how success can lead to complacency, and the subtle ways leaders lose their edge by prioritizing maintenance over innovation. Sharpening Your Edge: The Three Moves [9:22]Jen shares three actionable steps: create before you consume, stretch beyond your sphere, and evaluate your evolution to keep evolving as a leader. The Executive Edge Challenge [14:50]Jen issues a challenge to listeners: audit your edge in clarity, energy, visibility, or risk-taking, and take one action this week to strengthen it. IT'S TIME TO SHOW UP WITH CONFIDENCE, MAKE AN IMPACT, AND MOVE THE BALL:

What you'll learn in this episode:● How to measure whether your results come from skill or from the market● Why gratitude and mindset are the foundation of consistency● How to schedule skill-building and reflection into your daily routine● Why reviewing your sales calls matters more than ever● The power of adaptability in a shifting real estate market

Jennifer Gray is the senior manager of global supplier quality at Spirit AeroSystems and is very involved with the International Aerospace Quality Group, or IAQG. She will also be speaking at the ASSEMBLY Show this month. Sponsored by: MAESTRO: The first all-digital, fully connected CMM built for the future.

Carson V. Heady is the founder behind Salesman on Fire LLC, an internationally recognized sales leader and bestselling author. Known as the “#1 Social Seller in Tech,” Carson has generated over $1 billion in revenue and developed a dynamic approach to modern selling that blends authentic storytelling, mindset mastery, and AI-powered strategy. Through coaching, keynotes, and high-impact content, he equips individuals and teams to outperform—selling with purpose, passion, and heart.SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of the Selling from the Heart Podcast, Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Carson Heady, an internationally recognized sales leader and bestselling author. They explore what it truly means to sell from the heart by prioritizing authenticity, service, and genuine value creation. Carson shares insights from his new book, Unbeatable, unpacking how to navigate corporate politics, align personal and organizational goals, and become irreplaceable in a competitive landscape. He also highlights the importance of internal selling, mindset discipline, and continuous growth to achieve lasting success. KEY TAKEAWAYSSelling from the heart means adding value, serving others, and building authentic relationships.Sales is a noble profession when driven by purpose and integrity.Internal selling—building relationships within your organization—is as important as external selling.Building harmony between your company and your customer leads to long-term success.To become unbeatable and irreplaceable, focus on your unique strengths and invest in personal and professional growth.The sales landscape is always evolving—adaptability and continuous learning are non-negotiable.HIGHLIGHT QUOTESSelling from the heart is all about embodying what matters most... adding value and being at the pulse of those that we serve.Sales is a very, very noble profession. Remember that if we come at it with the right mindset.If you want to become unbeatable and irreplaceable, you have to invest in your growth both personally and professionally.You have choices every single day. What are you going to do when you get that unfair quota? You've got to still put one foot in front of the next and do the next right thing.

In this episode of The Other Side of the Firewall podcast, Ryan Williams Sr. and Shannon Tynes host a discussion with, Cyber Coffee Hour's, Dr. Joseph Burt-Miller Jr. and Alfredo Nash about the current state of cybersecurity, focusing on the rise of Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), the challenges faced by cyber insurers, and the implications of AI vulnerabilities, particularly with Google's Gemini. The conversation emphasizes the importance of responsible AI usage, data sharing concerns, and the need for proactive measures in cybersecurity. Article: Despite More CVEs, Cyber Insurers Aren't Altering Policies https://www.darkreading.com/cyber-risk/more-cves-cyber-insurers-arent-altering-policies?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExajN5amZVMWpibElPY2V4eQEec7YqnFZKChC13sYroUwfPniTctt7fmHUuFDWCO8NT5qxZimY92rqX6FBcsw_aem_GG7xSAOwsjq1f7PKHtPJ2w 'Trifecta' of Google Gemini Flaws Turn AI Into Attack Vehicle https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/trifecta-google-gemini-flaws-ai-attack-vehicle Buy the guide: https://www.theothersideofthefirewall.com/ Please LISTEN

The blog postIn this audio edition of the Lean Blog, Mark Graban revisits a 2014 case study co-authored with Gregory Clancy about Allina Health's early Kaizen journey. What began as four pilot units became a model for engaging everyone in improvement—from nurses to leaders. Mark reflects on concrete examples that still resonate today: reducing wasted motion, improving safety, and building psychological safety so staff feel safe to speak up with ideas.Ten years later, the lessons endure: small ideas create big impact, leaders must coach not control, and improvement thrives only where people feel respected and safe to experiment.Learn how Allina's story connects to enduring principles from Healthcare Kaizen and The Executive Guide to Healthcare Kaizen, and how psychological safety remains the foundation for continuous improvement in healthcare today.

What if your team's potential was greater than you ever imagined—and all it took to unlock it was clarity, candor, and courage? In this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer sits down with George Pesansky, operational-excellence leader, performance coach, and author of Superperformance. Together they dive deep into the systems and mindsets that turn average teams into superperformers.From the Dunning-Kruger Effect to the Golden Hour, George offers a roadmap for leaders who want to maximize results without micromanaging. You'll learn how to build clarity, break free from the prison of expectations, and create an “improvement factory” that keeps your organization evolving. This conversation is packed with truth-telling, humor, and actionable insights you can use right away—whether you lead a manufacturing floor, a finance team, or a fast-growing business.Vibrant Episode Highlights[00:03:00] Start with Yourself, Then Scale It — George explains why true performance begins at the individual level before it can cascade to the team and organization.[00:11:48] The Golden Hour — The powerful practice of studying success instead of just fixing problems.[00:27:20] Utility Over Value — Why your ability to execute (“utility”) matters more than what you know (“value”).[00:35:13] The Ugly Baby Technique — How to tell the truth about your projects and create a culture where feedback fuels excellence.[00:48:52] Find the Friction, Lower the Temperature — Discover your team's “hot spots” by following the superhero who always saves the day.Connect with George:George's book, Superperformance: https://a.co/d/cS40yGXGeorge's website: https://georgepesansky.com/Company Website: https://myblendedlearning.comCapacity 2 Care (fill out Contact Me form): https://myblendedlearning.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deliberateimprovement/IG: https://www.instagram.com/georgepesansky/X: https://x.com/SuperPerformnzFB: https://www.facebook.com/george.pesanskyAlso mentioned in this episode:Mindset by Carol Dweck: https://a.co/d/4yol2lvThe 7 Habits of Highly Successful People by Stephen Covey: https://a.co/d/fwD3T7VChange by John Kotter: https://a.co/d/esyKWkLServant Leadership by Robert Greenleaf: https://a.co/d/itSginCListen at vibrantculture.com/podcast or wherever you listen to podcasts!Learn more about Nicole Greer, The Vibrant Coach, at vibrantculture.com.

Enter to Win a Copy of David Yeager's book "10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People" - Register to win before October 24th at 11:45pm Pacific: http://chainoflearning.com/55How do you motivate, coach, or lead someone younger—without sounding critical, nagging, or controlling?We've all heard the stereotypes:“Young people don't care.”“They're entitled.”“They can't take feedback.”But what if those assumptions are what's really getting in the way of growth, engagement, and connection?In this episode, I talk with Dr. David Yeager, professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and author of the bestselling book, 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People.David's groundbreaking research—conducted with Carol Dweck, Angela Duckworth, and others—reveals how the right balance of high challenge and high support can unlock potential in the next generation and foster a learning culture where people feel valued, respected, and inspired to grow.Together, we explore the “mentor mindset”—a practical approach to coaching and intentional leadership to help young people move from compliance to engagement and step into their full potential — and how you can provide feedback that creates connection and motivation, not conflict.Whether you're a parent, coach, teacher, or organizational leader, you'll walk away with actionable insights to cultivate a continuous learning mindset and inspire empowered growth. YOU'LL LEARN:How to lead with the mentor mindset to create a “learning zone” that combines high expectations with high support, empathy, respect and belief in people's capability ​​What the “mentor's dilemma” is—and why both the enforcer mindset (high challenge, low support) and the protector mindset (high support, low challenge) fall shortHow great mentors balance rigor and flexibility that encourage people to produce high-quality work without enforcing rigid rulesThe power of transparency and labeling your intent when giving feedback to build trust and clarityThe link between McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y management mindsets and the mentor's dilemma, and how these leadership mindsets show up in organizations such as Microsoft, GE, McDonald's, and WalmartABOUT MY GUEST:David Yeager, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and the cofounder of the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute. He is the author of, 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People, and best known for his research conducted with Carol Dweck, Angela Duckworth, and Greg Walton on short but powerful interventions that influence adolescent behaviors such as motivation, engagement, healthy eating, bullying, stress, mental health, and more. IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/54 Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comConnect with David Yeager: linkedin.com/in/david-yeager Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonCheck out David Yeager's book 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation—And Making Your Own Life Easier: amazon.com/10-25-Motivating-Groundbreaking-Generation Reach out to learn more about the Athena App: https://txbspi.prc.utexas.edu/Join The Power of the Mindset Masterclass: https://www.masterclass.com/classes/power-of-mindsetSubscribe to my newsletter: kbjanderson.com/newsletter TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:02:23 The misconceptions about young one that led to David's research04:23 What the mentor's dilemma is and how to overcome it05:53 The disconnect with giving and receiving feedback 07:43 Other alternatives to what mentorship can really be for young ones09:06 The predicament young ones are in between wanting respect, but not having the rights of adulthood10:50 The difference between the enforcer and protector mindset11:32 The mentor's dilemma in withholding feedback or being too supportive12:58 Characteristics of the enforcer mindset in the blame and shame approach and the problems it causes14:02 Characteristics of the protector mindset includes low standards, but high support16:37 Different types of leadership styles and why they can be referred to as “mindsets” instead 19:16 The conflicts between protector and enforcer mindsets21:56 How to have a mentor mindset in dealing with challenges in the workplace or at home22:26 Example of a mentor mindset in dealing with students in holding a high standard, while also providing support28:44 Difference between intellectual rigor and logistical rigor30:92 Benefit of holding a rigorous standard while also providing support in helping others meet their goals32:51 Example of Stef Okamoto in transforming her old enforcer culture to embracing a mentor mindset focused on honesty and collaboration37:14 Example of how to use the mentor mindset in correcting behavior in the workplace without being offensive43:47 The Athena App created with Carol Dweck to help managers deal with conflict45:41 The misalignment between the real experience in working in serving customers and what managers really need46:34 Top tip for managers to show up with the mentor mindset in addition to asking questions47:55 The importance of transparency in leadership to collaboratively troubleshoot issues49:30 Why leading and mentoring young people isn't about lowering the bar or enforcing compliance, but holding high standards with support50:41 Asking questions and providing encouragement to be a better leader51:28 The power of labeling and making your intentions clear when giving feedback52:37 Question to reflect on to shift into a mindset mentor Enter to Win a Copy of David Yeager's book "10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People" - Register to win before October 24th at 11:45pm Pacific: http://chainoflearning.com/55

In this engaging podcast episode, Phil Brown, Sherry Bagley, and Chad Littlefield explore the themes of curiosity, experiential education, and the importance of relationships in facilitation. They discuss how questions can unlock deeper conversations, the significance of observation in understanding group dynamics, and the value of critique for continuous improvement. The conversation also touches on the role of charisma and authenticity in facilitation, the necessity of structure, and the inspiration drawn from community and relationships. The episode concludes with reflections on personal growth and the power of asking questions.   Questions are the key that unlocks the door to deeper understanding. Building relationships is foundational in experiential education. Observation is crucial for facilitators to meet group needs. Critique is essential for continuous improvement in practice. Staying curious prevents stagnation in long-term facilitation. Charisma can be developed as a skill over time. Structure in facilitation can enhance engagement and effectiveness. Finding inspiration often comes from connecting with new people. The power of relationships is central to effective education. Asking questions can lead to unexpected and enriching conversations. Come hang out with the Phil, Chad and Sherry at the AEE conference - https://www.aee.org/events/2025-aee-international-conference Learn more about AEE - https://www.aee.org/ Connect with the podcast -  email - podcast@high5adventure.org instagram - https://www.instagram.com/verticalplaypen/ Support the podcast - www.verticalplaypen.org Music and sound effects - www.epidemicsound.com  

What You'll Learn:In this episode, host Shayne Daughenbaugh and guest Lee Campe discuss the application of military leadership principles to continuous improvement. Lee shares his extensive experience across various industries, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, training, and decision-making under pressure. They discuss the need for leaders to be part of the team, set a good example, and ensure effective training and communication to drive continuous improvement.About the Guest:Lee Campe is one of the nation's leading experts in metric development, KPIs, problem solving, and process management. A Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Lee brings decades of experience across industries, including retail, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, and even space exploration. His unique perspective blends technical excellence with practical leadership drawn from his service as a U.S. Army Airborne Ranger, and as a proud father of two daughters. In this episode, Lee shares how military leadership principles, forged through experience in both the Army and Marine Corps, can be applied to continuous improvement in honor of the U.S. Army's 250th birthday.Links:Lee Campe's Website Click Here For Lee Campe's LinkedIn

In this episode of The Team Chip Podcast, Chip Townsend sits down with Jeremy Lesniak from Whistlekick to talk about the power of continuous improvement — both on and off the mat. They dive into how martial arts shapes better leaders, the lessons behind years of podcasting, and why small, consistent growth beats big leaps every time. If you've ever wondered how to stay motivated, keep improving, and make a real difference through martial arts, this one's packed with practical insight and genuine conversation.

Strategic planning is often seen as a senior leadership event, but this episode argues that everyone in the company has a role to play. Learn how to empower frontline employees to gather real-time market and industry intelligence that leaders miss. Discover how this constant flow of information can lead to earlier course corrections, prevent costly mistakes, and give your company a proactive advantage over being reactive. For more resources on developing leadership skills visit us at Revela. Where we've helped hundreds of executives lead productive teams and thriving organizations.   This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative.  

Nonprofit leaders, when too much responsibility lands on one person's plate, the results are predictable—burnout and turnover. Relying on a single leader, often the ED or CEO, doesn't just exhaust them, it puts your entire organization at risk. In this episode, I share why spreading leadership capacity is essential, how to know when it's time to hire, and what happens when you build a team that carries the load together. Episode Highlights 00:00 The Power of Shared Decision-Making 00:06 Accelerating Progress Through Better Decisions 00:17 The Feedback Loop: Learning and Refining 00:26 Building a Stronger Team for Faster Iteration 00:38 Continuous Improvement and Iteration Resource The Board Clarity Club A monthly membership for boards that provides training and live expert support to help your board have total clarity on how to be the best board possible. Learn More >> About Your Host Have you seen Casino Royale? That moment when Vespa slides in elegantly, opposite James, all charming smile, razor-sharp wit and mighty brainpower, and says, “I'm the money”? Well, your host, Sarah Olivieri has been likened to Vespa by one of her clients – not just because she's charming, beautiful and brainy– but because that bold statement “I'm the money” was, as it turned out, right ON the money.   Sarah helps nonprofits transform their organizations from failing to thriving. And she's very, very good at it. She's brought nonprofits back from the brink of insolvency. She's averted major cash-flow crises, solved funding droughts, board conflicts and everything in between… and so she has literally become “the money” for many of the organizations she works with.   As the former director of 3 nonprofits and founder of 5 for-profit businesses, she understands, deeply, the challenges and complexities facing organizations and she's created a framework, called The Impact Method®️, which can help you simplify operations, build aligned teams and make a bigger impact without getting overwhelmed or burning out – and Every. Single. One. Of her clients that have implemented her methodologies have achieved the most incredible results. Sarah is also a #1 international bestselling author, holds a BA from the University of Chicago with a focus on globalization and its effect on marginalized cultures, and a master's degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz. Access additional training at www.pivotground.com/funding-secrets or apply for the THRiVE Program for personalized support at www.pivotground.com/application Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.

Enter to win a pair of Nicolas Kemp's books: "IKIGAI-KAN: Feel a Life Worth Living" and "Rolefulness: A Guide to Purposeful Living" - Register by October 10th at 11:45pm Pacific and be sure to share your lucky URL to increase your chances of winning: http://chainoflearning.com/53Ikigai is one of the hottest buzzwords in leadership and personal development. But what does ikigai really mean?When you think of ikigai, what do you envision? Is it the popular Venn diagram that claims to help you find your purpose by identifying “the sweet spot” where what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for overlap? The problem? That's not ikigai at all. And in fact, the very process of putting ikigai into a framework contradicts the authentic meaning of the word.To dispel what he calls the “ikigai hoax” and uncover its deeper meaning I'm joined by Nicholas Kemp—Japanologist, researcher and author of IKIGAI-KAN: Feel a Life Worth Living and the new book Rolefulness, co-authored with Professor Daiki Kato. We explore how ikigai is fundamentally about creating meaning, connection, and a life —and workplace—where people feel life is worth livingIt's about being before doing and cultivating simple joys, authentic relationships, and spaces where people feel safe, valued, and inspired, whatever roles you are playing in your life or at work.Let's rediscover ikigai—not as a trendy framework, but as a powerful principle to understanding personal purpose, leadership development, and how to cultivate organizations where every individual can thrive. YOU'LL LEARN:Why the popular Venn diagram version of ikigai is a myth—and what authentic ikigai really means in JapanWhy ikigai is an essential concept for leaders who want to create people-centered workplacesThe deeper meaning of kokorozashi and its connection to purpose, intention, and leadership impactWhat “rolefulness” means and why understanding your roles in life can bring meaning into your relationships and workplacePractical ways to apply ikigai in leadership and daily life to inspire individuals and build thriving teamsABOUT MY GUEST:Nicholas Kemp, known as The Ikigai Coach, is a coach trainer, public speaker, consultant, and author of IKIGAI-KAN: Feel a Life Worth Living and Rolefulness. He is the founder and head coach of Ikigai Tribe, a community of educators, psychologists, coaches, and trainers dedicated to serving their communities through the authentic practice of Ikigai. With decades of experience living in Japan and training leaders worldwide, Nick is the trusted voice on how Ikigai can be embodied—not just studied.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/53 Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comConnect with Nick Kemp: linkedin.com/in/nicholas-kemp Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonCheck out Nick Kemp's Ikigai Tribe website and get his books: https://ikigaitribe.com/Download my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst Learn more about my Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantrip TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:02:20 What ikigai really means03:11 The misconception people think ikigai is04:10 The ikigai hoax of the popular viral Venn diagram07:04 Why Nick calls himself a Japanologist and his deep understanding of Japanese principles10:57 The different structures of ikigai to identify relationships, people roles, and hobbies11:19 What “Kan” means in Ikigai-Kan that makes you feel that life is worth living13:27 The concept of slowing down into “be” not just “do”14:35 How to get back to the ikigai essence of life and work15:00 The meaning of ibasho and that is built on three ideas that make you feel comfortable and have a sense of purpose17:34 The importance of having a psychologically safe environment where continuous improvement thrives19:54 What kokorozashi means to align our behaviors with intention21:20 How Japan uses kokorozashi in their biggest business school24:01 Breaking down the concept of kokorozashi to put ideas into action25:38 What inspired Rolefullness to make it an extension of ikigai29:03 Tips on how to understand your role in your own life whether at work or home23:23 Three ways to enrich your life 30:22 The importance of meaningful conversations and expressing gratitude32:26 How to be more roleful to make a change in your business and relationships and fulfill a specific role36:07 The concept of authenticity to show up as you are with maximum impact36:58 How to get started in getting more intentional in being your authentic self38:12 The greatest gift of ikigai and allowing a person to pursue their work role42:12 Cultivating ikigai, kokorozashi, and shiko to create space where people feel safe, valued, and inspired43:24 Three simple ways to create ibasho to build a welcome place where people thrive  Register to win a pair of Nick Kemp's books: "Ikigai-Kan" and "Rolefullness" - enter to win by October 10th: http://chainoflearning.com/53

This special 5th anniversary episode of the Remarkable Retail podcast marks a milestone: five years of insights, disruption, and conversations with the world's most innovative retail thinkers. We reflect on the pod's origin story during the early COVID lockdowns, tracing its evolution from Steve's book Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption into an industry-leading show featuring CEOs, founders, and thought leaders shaping global commerce. They share highlights from an impressive guest roster, including Scott Galloway (whose episode remains the most downloaded in the show's history), Artemis Patrick of Sephora, Hal Lawton of Tractor Supply, Chris Nicholas of Sam's Club, Joe Kudla of Vuori, and Neil Blumenthal of Warby Parker. Each clip showcases the powerful themes of customer centricity, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of remarkability.The centerpiece of the episode is a deep and engaging conversation with Seth Godin, returning for his sixth visit. Seth—bestselling author of classics including Purple Cow—first inspired the very language of “remarkability” in Steve's book and the podcast itself. Here, Seth reflects on why being remarkable matters more than ever in an era where “average is dead.” He warns leaders that chasing efficiency or “suck less” strategies won't suffice; brands must create conditions where customers want to talk about them. He draws a sharp distinction between simply being “better” through incremental improvements and being truly remarkable in ways that spark conversation, loyalty, and cultural resonance.Seth also delves into the impact of AI as the biggest societal shift since electricity. Rather than reducing costs by outsourcing tasks, he urges retailers to harness AI to enable new projects and creative possibilities. He illustrates this with his latest Kickstarter project—AI-driven card decks designed to spark learning, decision-making, and storytelling. For Seth, experimentation and accessible tools are the gateway to innovation, and he emphasizes that risk-taking in the AI era costs little but delivers exponential learning.Together, Michael, Steve, and Seth explore enduring themes: knowing who it's for and what it's for, the value of continuous improvement, and why shunning non-believers is essential to staying authentic.  About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Gary Cox is a continuous improvement consultant, speaker, and author based in Nova Scotia, Canada. He spoke with Quality on getting started in continuous improvement.

Retention isn't just about keeping people on autopay—it's about building relationships that make members want to stay.Welcome to Gym Marketing Made Simple, the podcast built for boutique gym owners who want to bring in more members and increase revenue without taking on the full-time job of being a marketer.Episode HighlightsThis episode takes a hard look at retention and long-term marketing — two areas that make or break a gym's growth from why a dedicated retention specialist matters, to the role of accountability and the realities of paid marketing, we break down what it really takes to run a gym that grows steadily without constant stress.Key TakeawaysWhy member churn is unavoidable, but manageable when processes are in place.The power of reaching out to members who haven't shown up in 8 days.How a clear onboarding process sets the tone for long-term success.Why accountability and coaching keep members coming back.The real numbers behind paid marketing and why franchises spend big on it.Why organic growth alone isn't enough in today's competitive market.How to adopt a long-term marketing mindset for sustainable growth.Episode Chapters00:00 Intro00:05 Retention Strategies for Gym Owners05:24 The Role of Accountability in Retention07:48 The Importance of Long-Term Marketing Strategies11:44 Challenges of Organic Growth in Modern Gyms13:08 The Role of Mentor Companies and Paid Marketing14:25 The Need for Continuous Improvement and ScalingCall to ActionIf this episode got you thinking about how to strengthen retention or scale your marketing, hit follow so you never miss future conversations designed to help your gym grow. Share this with another gym owner who needs to hear it —you'll be helping them and strengthening the industry.Supporting Information

In this episode of 'The Jiu-Jitsu Mindset,' host Pete Deeley converses with guest Professor Mikal Abdullah about the profound impact Jiu Jitsu has had on his life and career. Starting from a challenge in a stranger's garage to becoming a global Jiu Jitsu instructor, Mikal shares his journey of personal growth through the martial art. The discussion covers various aspects including the personal obstacles overcome through Jiu Jitsu, strategies for continuous improvement, the importance of competition, and the unique benefits of Jiu Jitsu retreats. Mikal also recounts a surprising real-life self-defense situation that underscored the emotional depth and human connection fostered by Jiu Jitsu. This episode is a rich exploration of how Jiu Jitsu can be a vehicle for personal development, empathy, and effective problem-solving.   00:00 Welcome to the Juujitsu Mindset 00:45 Introducing Professor Mikal Abdullah 02:04 The Impact of Jiu Jitsu on Personal Growth 02:42 Starting the Jiu Jitsu Journey 04:45 Lessons Learned and Personal Growth 10:23 Teaching and Learning in Jiu Jitsu 13:27 Overcoming Challenges and Continuous Improvement 18:58 The Value of Competition in Jiu Jitsu 23:01 The Importance of Preparation 27:09 Impactful Jiu Jitsu Stories 27:34 A Memorable Fight Story 32:44 The Power of De-escalation 33:58 Lessons from Past Generations 35:15 Connecting with the Community 35:29 Where to Find More

Want to start your own podcast? Watch my free webinar Podcast Success Secrets to learn how to start, grow, and monetize your own podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podcastsuccesssecrets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Welcome to the optYOUmize Podcast where we help entrepreneurs build the business AND life of their dreams. Get tips, tactics, stories, and inspiration from interviews with business and personal development experts and lessons from my own successes and failures so you can make more, work less, and live better. You don't have to go it alone--we're here to support and motivate you, and encourage you to keep going until you reach your goals. Follow optYOUmize Podcast with Brett Ingram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Summary Brett Ingram discusses effective time management strategies for entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of prioritization, automation, and delegation. He outlines a series of questions that help entrepreneurs assess their time allocation, identify necessary activities for business growth, and leverage technology to streamline processes. The discussion highlights the need for continuous reassessment to maintain efficiency and reduce overwhelm in the entrepreneurial journey. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Time Management 02:51 Identifying Time Allocation and Prioritization 05:41 Assessing Necessary Activities for Business Growth 08:54 Maximizing Time: What to Do More or Less Of 11:43 Evaluating Higher Impact Activities 14:23 Leveraging Technology for Automation 17:36 Outsourcing and Delegation Strategies 20:24 Continuous Improvement and Reassessment #time-management #productivity #outsourcing #automation #personaldevelopment #entrepreneurship #optyoumize #brettingram #entrepreneurpodcast #podmatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do people in other functions at your organization think lean is all about?For many—in HR, OD, Finance, or operations—the answer is simple: process improvement, efficiency, waste elimination. And while those are pieces of the puzzle, they miss the bigger picture.Too often, continuous improvement and operational excellence teams get pigeonholed as “process people,” making it hard to gain traction or build the partnerships needed for real transformation.But lean isn't just about processes—it's about people. It's a strategy for developing leaders, engaging employees, and creating lasting change.If you're struggling to get leadership buy-in for lean or continuous improvement, the problem likely isn't the results you deliver. It's how you're positioning the value of lean and your role as a change leader.That's why I teamed up with my friend and business positioning and branding expert Betsy Jordyn for a special bonus episode.Together, we explore one of the biggest challenges you face as a lean and CI professional: how to position and frame your work so others see its true impact.YOU'LL LEARN:Why lean consultants – both internal and external – struggle with positioningHow to talk about what you do in language executives care aboutWhy people and learning matter more than toolsHow to connect leadership behaviors to measurable business resultsAnd why influence skills are just as important as technical expertiseWhether you're an internal or external consultant, this conversation will help you reframe your work in ways that create greater traction and impact.ABOUT MY GUEST:Betsy Jordyn is a Brand Positioning Strategist that helps consulting and coaching business owners clarify their brand positioning and messaging, create a website presence that positions them as sought-after experts, land clients with ease and integrity, and take their place as thought leaders and influencers in their niche. Her mission is to help consultants and coaches monetize their best-at strengths and authentic passions to make a bigger difference in the world.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: https://kbjanderson.com/roi-strategic-positioning-lean-consultants/ Watch this bonus episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kgCbr2Os3nA Connect with Betsy Jordyn: linkedin.com/in/betsy-jordynListen to my conversation with Betsy Jordyn on Consulting Matters podcast: The ROI of Elevating Your Strategic Positioning & MessagingCheck out my website for resources and working together: KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjanderson Learn about my Japan Leadership Experience program: kbjanderson.com/JapanTrip Download my KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst TIMESTAMPS:01:00 – The challenge: how lean is misunderstood as process improvement04:00 – Why “lean” became associated with tools in the West07:30 – The “paint story”: respect for people in action at Toyota10:00 – Demystifying jargon like gemba and focusing on “going to see”12:00 – Creating conditions for frontline problem-solving15:00 – Respect for people = holding precious what it means to be human19:00 – Don't lead with methodology: framing problems leaders care about22:00 – From tools to transformation: shaping client expectations24:00 – Linking behavior change to ROI and business results25:00 – The Katalyst™ model: building influence and communication skills27:00 – Why executives aren't always on board—and how to change that33:00 – Silos among OD, HR, L&D, and lean consultants36:00 – Building cross-disciplinary partnerships for culture change41:00 – Positioning tips: language, boundaries, and when to reveal methods42:00 – Pairing technical expertise with influence for greater impact46:00 – Trojan-horsing people-centered leadership through process work48:00 – Quantifying value: behaviors, KPIs, and ROI54:00 – Wrap-up: The path forward for lean consultants

In this episode of the Building Bigger Lives podcast, Michael and Kathryn explore the Japanese business philosophy of Kaizen, which means "good change" or "change for the better." Kaizen promotes continuous improvement through incremental changes. They explore historical examples from Toyota and personal experiences shared by Michael's family. They also discuss the practical application of Kaizen principles, particularly the 5S framework, and emphasize how these concepts can be adapted across various industries to improve efficiency and productivity. The conversation concludes with a focus on the importance of waste reduction and standardization, while encouraging listeners to adopt a mindset of continuous improvement in both their personal and professional lives. Building Bigger Lives Podcast- https://www.instagram.com/buildingbiggerlives Contact Coach Michael Regan- www.facebook.com/CoachMichaelRegan www.instagram.com/coachmichaelregan/ www.linkedin.com/in/mregan/ Contact Kathryn Pedersen- http://www.instagram.com/steamboatmortgage

If you're someone who thinks systems just aren't for me—creative chaos is a part of my identity, this episode might change your mind. Roxanne Engstrom joins me to share about her experience inside of Systems in Session. We talk about how getting clarity in her systems not only grew her profit fast but also gave her confidence, reduced her anxiety, and let her show up as the boss she is.Find It Quickly00:24 - Meet Roxanne01:22 - The Importance of Systems in Business02:16 - Real-Life Business Challenges and Solutions04:01 - The Value of Personalized Support04:45 - Achieving Quick Wins in Business05:43 - Investing in Your Business Growth06:36 - Overcoming Personal and Business Challenges07:32 - The Power of Collaboration and Support11:41 - Automations and Business Efficiency13:18 - Scaling Your Business with Confidence14:34 - Continuous Improvement and Client Feedback16:23 - Setting Boundaries and Providing Value21:23 - Client Communication and Boundaries21:58 - Personalized Brand Image Process23:44 - Importance of Client Experience24:26 - Efficient Proposal Systems27:55 - Overcoming Business Anxiety29:49 - Investing in Business Growth32:19 - Scaling with SystemsMentioned in this EpisodeSystems in SessionMaddie Peschong's RebrandConnect with RoxanneWebsite: hawaimages.comInstagram: instagram.com/hawaimagesLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/roxanne-engstromYoutube: youtube.com/@roxanneengstrom-hawaimages

Do you feel like your team is constantly solving the same problems, even though you "have a system for that?" This episode reveals a deeper issue: a lack of coaching and accountability. Learn why stepping in to create workarounds or simply telling people what to do can be a major leadership failure. Discover how to get to the root cause of recurring problems and empower your team to follow a simplified process. For more resources on developing leadership skills visit us at Revela. Where we've helped hundreds of executives lead productive teams and thriving organizations. This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative.

Two leaders of the Cleveland Clinic's lean improvement function — Dr. Lisa Yerian, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical & Operational Improvement Officer, and Chad Cummings, Vice President of Lean Transformation & Continuous Improvement — speak with Josh Howell, LEI President, and Mark Reich, LEI Chief Engineer Strategy. The podcast continues our focus this month on the role of continuous improvement (CI) groups in lean management.  The Cleveland Clinic consists of 23 hospitals, 280 outpatient locations, approximately 83,000 caregivers, and nearly 16 million patient encounters annually. The vision at the not-for-profit healthcare system is to be “the best place to receive care anywhere and the best place to work,” says Lisa. “We have integrated the expectation of excellence, the aspiration for excellence, in everything we do right in parallel with being the best place to work.”    Chad came out of manufacturing and first encountered lean in the 1990s, working for a Japanese-owned auto supplier, and has been working in healthcare for more than a decade in a CI capacity. Lisa started her career in healthcare, after growing up in a rural area that did not have access to high-quality healthcare and wanting to change that. At the Cleveland Clinic she was getting pulled into meetings about recurring problems, and eventually got connected to an internal team focused on using lean principles. “I saw lean as an opportunity to do what I had initially wanted to do, which was make a bigger difference for more people.” She then landed a new medical director role with the improvement team and began learning through “small amounts of coursework and books but really through doing, a lot with Chad and others on our lean team and with members of LEI.”  The two executives discussed the many challenges facing healthcare today. Chad cites macro issues of high demand for care, fiscal difficulties, and finding skilled labor. The pandemic contributed to those challenges, says Lisa, resulting in high turnover and a subsequent need to develop people for their changing roles and build the capability for effective problem solving, huddle management, and understanding data. She also says workplace violence has risen in healthcare, contributing to burnout and turnover and adding security costs to fiscal woes.   Lisa and Chad also discussed:  How to work with those in healthcare who have rejected the efficacy of lean: “If you are asking someone to support or believe, that's too big, it's too broad. Nobody knows what that means,” says Lisa. “What is it that you really need to get out of this interaction? Do you need them to commit to going on a gemba walk with you? What is it that your ask really is?... You need to get specific quickly in order to try to address that. And then what are you trying to accomplish here?”  A need to revisit some lean improvement practices following COVID: “We did a lot of work to develop a culture of improvement prior to COVID; we had built a tiered daily huddle system, kaizen system, a lot of problem-solving capability and awareness,” says Lisa. “In my role I realized we need to go back and reinvigorate some of that work, repeat some of that work, redo some of that work,” and re-educate leaders on how to perform their roles.  How an adherence to the lean transformation framework helps to point CI actions to problems that need to be addressed: This starts by asking, “What is the problem we're trying to solve, what's our true value-driven purpose?” notes Lisa.  The importance of developing people: “If we want to make a change in our culture, we have to really think about what behaviors, right behaviors or correct behaviors, we want to drive, but even prior to that thinking about routines,” says Chad. “Do we have the right routines in place that help to establish those behaviors. And to establish those routines you have to build capability in people. You have to give them the knowhow of what good looks like.”  Want to take these ideas further?   Go beyond the page and see lean leadership in action. The Lean Leadership Learning Tour (Nov. 10–13, 2025) takes you inside Toyota, GE Appliances, and Summit Polymers to witness real-world problem-solving, leadership development, and transformation at scale. Bring a colleague, align your vision, and return ready to accelerate change.   Learn more » 

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1818: Laura Stack explores the hidden danger of pursuing nonstop efficiency, how an obsession with continuous improvement can actually choke innovation and creativity. She shows why true progress requires balancing process optimization with flexibility and fresh thinking. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://theproductivitypro.com/blog/2014/01/overdoing-it-when-continuous-improvement-stifles-innovation/ Quotes to ponder: "Too much emphasis on efficiency can cause you to miss opportunities for real growth." "If you spend all your time refining, you may end up polishing the wrong thing." "Sometimes innovation requires stepping away from established processes to take risks." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1818: Laura Stack explores the hidden danger of pursuing nonstop efficiency, how an obsession with continuous improvement can actually choke innovation and creativity. She shows why true progress requires balancing process optimization with flexibility and fresh thinking. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://theproductivitypro.com/blog/2014/01/overdoing-it-when-continuous-improvement-stifles-innovation/ Quotes to ponder: "Too much emphasis on efficiency can cause you to miss opportunities for real growth." "If you spend all your time refining, you may end up polishing the wrong thing." "Sometimes innovation requires stepping away from established processes to take risks." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many students have never heard of Industrial & Systems Engineering — and even fewer understand the incredible impact it has on the world. This episode of Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast explores a creative solution to that challenge: the ISE Impact Short Video Contest, which invites students and professionals to explain ISE's value in just 60 seconds.You'll hear from:Dr. Ana Muriel, associate professor at UMass Amherst and co-creator of the contestHannah Brooks, a nursing student who used stop-motion animation to tackle global food securityAnwaar Zyoud, an industrial engineer who used ISE methods to transform her Taekwondo performanceTogether, they show how creativity, storytelling, and problem-solving can inspire the next generation of engineers.Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)Problem Solved on LinkedInProblem Solved on YouTubeProblem Solved on InstagramProblem Solved on TikTokProblem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth GrimesInterested in contributing to the podcast? Email egrimes@iise.org

Key TakeawaysCoaching ≠ outperforming. Performance expertise and coaching expertise are different muscles.Discomfort is data. If growth feels easy, you're probably not growing.Trust follows vulnerability. Coaching conversations require safety, time, and honesty.Aim feedback at the work. Focus on the task/approach, not the person.Decide your mode. Coach, teach, or direct based on the question, urgency, and learning goal.Beat imposter syndrome with action. If the finish line is fuzzy, take the next step and practice.

What's the #1 frustration most lean and continuous improvement practitioners face?It's something that I bet you've felt too, no matter how passionate you are about the work, no matter what you call it: lean, agile, continuous improvement, operational excellence, or DevOps...Too often, we struggle to clearly explain what we actually do as CI change leaders and why it matters. And when you can't articulate the deeper value of lean or OpEx, it's hard to get the buy-in needed to lead the organizational transformation you envision.In this episode, I take you inside a qualitative survey of 100+ change leaders—from internal continuous improvement practitioners and leaders, to external consultants and coaches, executives and operations leaders—on what draws us to this field of organizational improvement, what fuels our passion, and what holds us back from the impact we know is possible.Before listening to this episode, take a moment to reflect on:What lights you up about your work?What's the top challenge you keep running into?If you love lean and continuous improvement and are ready to overcome the frustrations holding you and your organization back from real transformation, then this episode is for you.YOU'LL LEARN:Three things we love the most about this work as continuous improvement and lean change leadersThe #1 frustration holding you back (hint: it's not about the tools or frameworks)Why a shift from McGregor's Theory X (command and control) to Theory Y (empowered problem-solving) management mindset is critical to your impact—and why lean efforts fail without itThe paradox of trying to influence deeply ingrained management and leadership beliefs and behaviorsThree practical ways you can start changing both the story and the system IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/52Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonDownload my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst Hear how Gustavo influenced significant business results after participating in my Japan Leadership ExperienceTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:03:01 Reflection questions on your own experience as a lean and continuous improvement practitioner03:53 Top three things that light us up and fuels our passion03:58 [FIRST] Problem solving that directly impact people's ability to work meaningfully04:51 Survey examples of what leaders love about solving problems06:16 [SECOND] People development and empowerment07:07 Survey examples of what leaders love about empowering people to solve problems08:50 [THIRD] Tangible and meaningful impact09:52 Survey examples of what leaders love about creating meaningful impact for people, organizations, and systems10:46 Change leader's frustration: leadership buy-in 12:57 The deeper truth in what's stopping us from leading real organizational transformation13:18 Challenges in changing mindsets and shifting behaviors in an organization13:42 The meaning of Douglas McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y and the relationship to lean16:00 The paradox in changing mindset management and leadership for change leaders17:12 Three practical tips to shift shift the story and the system17:18 [FIRST] Acknowledge the size of the challenge18:07 [SECOND] Speak the language of business19:07 One of the best examples of how a leader effectively led change through influence 20:54 [THIRD] Pair technical process improvement skills with influence and human-focused skills22:54 The consistent themes from the survey of loving this work and wanting to make meaningful impact23:54 Take the next step in expanding your influence skills

SummaryIn this SPOTLIGHT episode, Abhay shares a conversation with Abhijit Bansod, an award-winning designer, discusses his journey as a cultural designer, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, the influence of Indian culture on design, and the continuous evolution of a designer's mindset. He explores the complexities of defining Indian design, the balance between nostalgia and innovation, and the impact of design on identity and confidence in cultural narratives.Learn more about Abhijit's work here:Studio ABDTigoonaMUBHIIntroduction:We talk a lot these days about the soft power of India and the effect it has on a global stage. It seems more and more like that cultural power has had a profound impact on hearts, minds, memories, and markets throughout the world. I often have wondered about how this all has been designed, about the vision it takes to create the ideas, and about the execution required to bring tradition to life in a way that both feels new and has lasting impact.  Thankfully, to help guide us, I shared a conversation with Abhijit Bansod, a visionary  designer who has been orchestrating a beautiful harmony between so many elements of everyday Indian life with thoughtful, modern design. Growing up in Nagpur in India, he drew inspiration from daily sights and stories, eventually shaping his path through the National Institute of Design and a decade at Titan Industries, where he helped bring Indian storytelling into watchmaking. After launching Studio ABD in Bangalore, Abhijit committed to creating products that aren't just functional but tell rich, poetic stories—whether it's a lamp inspired by street culture or accessories that celebrate Indian craft or offering mobility solutions to local street entrepreneurs. His studio's philosophy is to blend humor, emotion, and local culture with innovation, making even the simplest objects reminders of Indian tradition and joy. With many honors and accolades, Abhijit is widely respected for work that connects deeply with users and he also serves as a decorated ambassador of contemporary Indian design. He believes that products aren't just consumable but that they're animated anecdotes to help connect everyone to a holistic design experience.  As we caught up to chat about everything from trends and nostalgia to thinking like a designer and optimism, I was curious to know how he, as a designer, approaches something as simple as how he first introduces himself to people?Shout out to Deepa Prahalad Abhyankar for the spark!

What You'll Learn:In this episode, host Andy Olrich, Shayne Daughenbaugh, and guest Nadia Golenkova discuss the importance of capability strategy in training programs. They emphasize the need for a strategic approach to learning, focusing on specific skills and measurable outcomes. Nadia highlights the pitfalls of reactionary training and the benefits of a long-term, embedded learning ecosystem.About the Guest:Nadia is a trusted executive partner with 18+ years of leading corporate people functions and teaching in top executive MBA programs. She helps organizations design impactful learning, capability, people, and OD strategies that drive measurable results. Known for guiding cultural transformations and developing leaders at all levels, Nadia is recognized nationally and internationally as an award-winning innovation champion. A certified coach, she brings creativity, curiosity, and accountability to every engagement, inspiring clarity and unlocking potential.Links:2025 Lean Solutions SummitClick Here For Nadia Golenkova's LinkedInClick Here For Clockwork Capability Website

What happens when you combine theater, legal expertise, and a passion for public service? Gene Burk, Connecticut's Director of Procurement Programs and Services, brings his unique background to transform how government procurement serves citizens.Burk's refreshingly simple method for measuring success—"Ask"—highlights his commitment to continuous improvement through stakeholder engagement. By organizing his team to proactively seek feedback and understand real-world needs, procurement becomes a strategic partner rather than a bureaucratic hurdle. This approach extends to supplier relationships too, recognizing that creating positive experiences for vendors ultimately benefits citizens through better contracts and service delivery.Subscribe to NASPO's Pulse podcast for more insights from innovative leaders who are reimagining public procurement as a strategic enabler of government services.Follow & subscribe to stay up-to-date on NASPO!naspo.org | Pulse Blog | LinkedIn | Youtube | Facebook

Summary: In this episode of the Experience Revolution podcast, host Dave Murray speaks with Katie Osborne, co-owner and vice president of marketing for Alpenhaus. They discuss the evolution of Alpenhaus, a family-run business that has expanded from a ski shop to a retailer of various outdoor fun products. Katie shares insights on the importance of customer experience, the tools and processes they have implemented to enhance service, and how they engage employees in this mission. The conversation also touches on the significance of recognition and awards, the impact of the Customer Experience Executive Academy (CXEA), and the continuous improvement mindset that drives Alpenhaus forward. Katie offers valuable advice for newcomers to the customer experience field, emphasizing the need to start small and focus on pain points. Takeways: Alpenhaus has evolved from a ski shop to a diverse outdoor retailer. Customer experience is woven into the fabric of Alpenhaus. Tools and processes are essential for delivering great customer experiences. Engaging employees through videos and role-playing enhances service standards. Recognition of employees for service excellence is crucial. CXEA provided valuable insights and tools for success. Continuous improvement is necessary for maintaining high standards. Internal communication plays a key role in reinforcing customer experience. Anecdotes of exceptional customer service highlight the company's commitment. Starting with small, manageable changes can lead to significant improvements. Chapters: 00:00Introduction to Alpin Haus and Its Journey 02:41The Importance of Customer Experience 05:22Tools and Processes for Success 08:13Engaging Employees in Customer Experience 11:23Recognition and Awards for Service Excellence 14:05The Impact of CXEA on Alpenhaus 16:54Continuous Improvement in Customer Experience 19:30The Role of Internal Communication 22:25Anecdotes of Customer Service Success 25:08Future Plans for Customer Experience 28:02Advice for Newcomers to Customer Experience   Links Customer Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/cx-executive-academy/ Interview Questions: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/resources/ The DiJulius Group Methdology: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/x-commandment-methodology/ Experience Revolution Membership:  https://thedijuliusgroup.com/membership/ Schedule a Complimentary Call with one of our advisors:  tdg.click/claudia Books:  https://thedijuliusgroup.com/shop/ Zappos call:  https://thedijuliusgroup.com/is-zappos-really-that-good-at-customer-service-manager-fired-for-responses-to-online-reviewers/ Blogs on Above and Beyond Culture: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/category/above-beyond-culture/ Contacts:  Lindsey@thedijuliusgroup.com , Claudia@thedijuliusgroup.com Subscribe We talk about topics like this each week; be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode.

Sales legend and trainer Steve Gielda—co-founder of Ignite Selling—joins Samuel to break down what truly drives performance in medical device, pharma, biotech, and diagnostics. Steve traces his path from selling 3M copiers out of a van to leading life-sciences consulting with Neil Rackham (of SPIN Selling) and building Ignite's simulation-based, gamified training that accelerates pipelines and product launches. We get tactical fast: how today's top reps think strategically, map real stakeholders (beyond the “friendly” contacts), and use smarter questions that challenge clinical and business assumptions—not just needs. Steve explains when SPIN still shines, where Challenger-style questions raise the bar, and why role-playing strategy is as critical as role-playing the call. For frontline managers, Steve lays out the playbook: coach early in the pipeline, ask more than you tell, know when to sell vs. when to coach, and—yes—let your reps fail on safe calls so they learn to win without you. We dive into work ethic vs. knowledge, turning average reps into top performers, and the signals that a high producer is (or isn't) ready for leadership. If you want practical frameworks to sharpen your questioning, focus your account strategy, and elevate your team's coaching culture, this episode delivers candid insights you can apply on your very next call. Connect with Steve: LinkedIn Connect with Me: LinkedIn Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here's How » Want to connect with past guests and access exclusive Q&As? Join our EYS Skool Community today!

What You'll Learn:In this episode, host Andy Olrich and guest Colleen Soppelsa discuss the importance of group intelligence in practical problem-solving. Colleen also highlights the significance of integrating behavioral mapping with technical problem-solving frameworks like A3 and DMAIC to achieve sustainable improvements. The discussion underscores the critical role of behavioral alignment in driving organizational success.About the Guest:Colleen Soppelsa began her career abroad, working in educational services in Japan and in consumer luxury goods in Italy, where she met her husband. Her journey in lean continuous improvement started in Purchasing at Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing North America in Erlanger, KY, supporting electronics assemblies and steel structures. In 2011, she transitioned into the Aerospace and Defense industry, holding performance improvement roles at GE Aerospace and L3Harris Technologies.Over the course of her career, Colleen has facilitated teams in project management, kaizen, and strategy deployment. These experiences deepened her focus on organizational behavior and the transformative impact of trust, teamwork, and creativity in advanced engineering environments.Links:2025 Lean Solutions SummitClick Here For Colleen's LinkedInClick Here To Access Colleen's Website

In this episode, Mark Graban reads a recent KaiNexus blog post by Danielle Yoon: “What Makes Employees Actually Participate in Continuous Improvement Programs?”Here is the blog postEmployee participation is the heartbeat of any Lean or continuous improvement effort. Without it, even the best strategies stall. Drawing on research by Dr. Shweta Chopra and Jayaruwani Fernando—conducted inside a healthcare organization using the KaiNexus platform—this episode explores what really motivates people to engage with suggestion systems and improvement programs.You'll learn why performance expectancy (believing the system helps me do my job better) and social influence (seeing peers and leaders participate) are far more powerful drivers of engagement than system usability or resources alone. The findings highlight the importance of feedback loops, visible success stories, and leadership behaviors that create a culture where employees feel heard and valued.Whether you're leading a Lean transformation, managing a suggestion system, or simply striving to boost engagement in your organization, this research-backed discussion offers practical guidance on how to build momentum and make continuous improvement sustainable.

Mariano Gontchar: Fear-Free Teams—Creating Psychological Safety for High Performance Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Mariano's definition of Scrum Master success has evolved dramatically from his early days of focusing on "deliver on time and budget" to a more sophisticated understanding centered on team independence and psychological safety. Today, he measures success by whether teams can self-manage, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and operate without fear of criticism. This shift represents a fundamental change from output-focused metrics to outcome-focused team health indicators that create sustainable high performance. Self-reflection Question: How has your definition of success evolved in your current role, and what would change if you focused on team independence rather than traditional delivery metrics? Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: Frustration-Based Retrospective Mariano's retrospective approach focuses on asking team members about their biggest frustrations from the last sprint. This format helps team members realize their frustrations aren't unique and creates psychological safety for sharing challenges. The key is always asking the team to propose solutions themselves rather than imposing fixes, making retrospectives about genuine continuous improvement rather than just complaining sessions. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

We all want things to be perfect — our systems, our client experiences, our businesses. But the truth is, perfection isn't possible … and it's not even the goal. The real key to long-term success in real estate (and in life) is continuous improvement. In today's episode, I share the story behind this reminder, how a simple comment shifted my mindset, and why embracing small tweaks over time is the true superpower that will sustain your business for years to come. Listen in for practical ways to approach challenges with curiosity instead of frustration — and why the more you grow, the more important this mindset becomes.   Click subscribe to be notified every Wednesday when our latest episode is released, and be sure to check out our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringwomeninrealestate We are 39,000 members strong and we want you to join us! And if you want to follow me on Instagram, that's where I'm having the most fun right now. https://www.instagram.com/karen.w.cooper/