Podcasts about Kaizen

Episode blog post with video, transcript, and more My guest for Episode #535 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Gregg Stocker, a seasoned Lean practitioner, consultant, and author. Over the past 30+ years, Gregg has worked across industries, including oil and gas, energy services, manufacturing, and construction, guiding both independent operators and major corporations on their Lean journeys. He is the author of Profitable at Any Price: Lean Thinking for Safer, Cheaper, and More Responsible Oil and Gas Production and is revising his earlier book Avoiding the Corporate Death Spiral. In this conversation, Gregg shares his Lean origin story, which began with exposure to Dr. W. Edwards Deming's teachings in college and later expanded through hands-on work with Toyota. We discuss the importance of daily Kaizen, the influence of Deming's philosophy of profound knowledge, and why psychological safety and systems thinking are essential to effective Lean leadership. Gregg also reflects on his experiences helping organizations in high-risk industries such as oil and gas. He explains how Lean thinking can simultaneously drive improvements in safety, cost, and reliability -- showing that these are not trade-offs, but outcomes of a stronger system. Listeners will hear stories of transformation, lessons from Toyota, and practical insights on structured problem-solving, leadership behaviors, and building a culture where people feel safe speaking up. Whether you work in energy, healthcare, manufacturing, or any other sector, Gregg's insights are broadly applicable. This episode is a reminder that Lean isn't just about tools -- it's about leadership, systems thinking, and creating conditions for continuous improvement. Questions, Notes, and Highlights: How did you first get introduced to Lean and Deming? What did you learn from Toyota about shifting from TQM to daily Kaizen? How did senior leaders in your early company become engaged in Lean? What were your experiences attending Dr. Deming's four-day seminars? Which of Deming's principles do you wish leaders better understood today? How do systems thinking and psychology apply in high-risk industries like oil and gas? What are some Lean approaches to improving both safety and performance? What's the origin story behind your book Profitable at Any Price? How do oil and gas companies typically react to fluctuating prices, and how does Lean help? How has Lean adoption in oil and gas evolved over the past 15 years? When starting a Lean transformation, what should leaders do -- and avoid? How do you define better problem solving, beyond just tools and structure? What leadership behaviors help create psychological safety and encourage people to speak up? Can you tell us about your upcoming books and where your writing is headed next? This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 

In this episode, George Vaz is joined by Robby Bostain, founder of Level 10 Basketball and former Division I and European pro. Robby shares how his holistic five-pillar approach—skills, fitness, mentality, nutrition, and leadership—helps athletes level up on and off the court. He also dives into how the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) unlocked creativity in his coaching, why giving athletes ownership accelerates growth, and the power of experimenting across sports. Bio:Robby Bostain is the founder of Level 10 Basketball in Bakersfield, CA, where he trains athletes through a holistic, five-pillar approach: skills, fitness, mentality, nutrition, and leadership. A former Division I player at Furman and a seven-year European pro, Robby blends high-level playing experience with a Kaizen-inspired “Level Up Plan” to help players improve daily. His training emphasizes mental resilience, game IQ, and complete player development. Chapters: 01:00 – Robby's journey from D1 to European pro and coaching transition 05:00 – Holistic challenges: skills, fitness, nutrition, mentality, leadership 08:00 – Teaching affirmations & leadership at a young age 10:30 – Discovering CLA & how it transformed his coaching 13:00 – Drawing inspiration from other sports & creativity in practice design 17:30 – Using constraints to teach offense/defense balance 20:00 – Incentivizing good decisions instead of penalizing mistakes 22:00 – Coaching with principles vs. rigid set plays 24:00 – Embracing variability in shooting & training chaos 26:00 – Transformative tip Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/ Links:Website: http://transformingbball.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

Tim and Steve take a look at the power of small, steady improvements by exploring Kaizen and Parkinson's Law — the idea that work expands to fill the time we give it. They discuss why setting deadlines (and beating them) is a game-changer, freeing up more space for the things that really matter. They share real-life stories, from martial arts lessons to a friend's passion for restoring cars, showing how dedication to little steps can lead to big results. Listeners are encouraged to think about their own routines, how they spend their time, and the way everyday choices add up to long-term growth. It's a reminder that whether in training, personal projects, or daily life, consistent effort and conscious choices move us forward.

Enter to win a copy of "The Problem Solver's Toolkit" by Tracy O'Rourke and Elisabeth Swan by September 12.Organizations invest thousands of dollars and countless hours into lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement training programs. Certifications get awarded. Belts get earned.But nothing actually changes.Technical problem-solving training alone isn't enough to drive meaningful impact. Without guidance and support on how to apply problem-solving tools—and the people-side of leading change—improvements stall. In this episode of Chain of Learning, I'm joined by Tracy O'Rourke and Elisabeth Swan, co-founders of the Just-in-Time Café and co-authors of "The Problem-Solver's Toolkit." With more than 50 years of combined Lean Six Sigma experience, they've trained and coached thousands of problem-solvers across industries—from healthcare and government to manufacturing and service—helping teams turn knowledge into real results.Whatever problem-solving method you use—DMAIC, PDCA, or an A3—you'll walk away with practical insights to help you bridge the gap between knowledge and action.YOU'LL LEARN:Why traditional training programs fail to create lasting problem-solving capability—and what to do insteadThe importance of bringing others along in a change project and staying flexible and curious as the work evolvesWhy successful and sustainable problem-solving requires both technical know-how and people skillsHow to engage teams, navigate change, and keep momentum going while leading a process improvement team How to close the gap between learning and doing by turning skills into real-world resultsABOUT MY GUESTS:Tracy O'Rourke is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, and co-founder of the Just-in-Time Café. As a sought-after consultant, instructor, and speaker with over 25 years of experience, Tracy specializes in cultural change, leadership development, strategic alignment, and process improvement. Elisabeth Swan is a leadership coach, keynote speaker, award-winning author of “Picture Yourself a Leader”, and co-founder of the Just-in-Time Café. Elisabeth brings decades of experience helping Fortune 100 companies and nonprofits embrace conscious leadership and continuous improvement. IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/51My website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comConnect with Tracy O'Rourke: linkedin.com/in/tracy-orourkeConnect with Elisabeth Swan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabethswanFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonDownload my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst Get your copy of the “Problem-Solver's Toolkit”: www.jitcafe.com/book My Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantrip TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:01:37 The inspiration behind the “Problem Solvers Toolkit” 02:54 The disconnect between what is education and what leads to retention 04:22 The aha moments in creating the revised second edition in leading process improvement05:55 Potholes and detours as a metaphor in process improvements not going the perfect way06:36 The journey of continuous improvement in taking your team on the journey with you07:26 Incorporating road games in getting the team involved in problem solving11:03 What led Tracy and Elisabeth to want to help people in leading process improvement13:31 The real meaning of being a leader — more than just being a senior executive16:04 The difference between lean and Six Sigma18:24 Why the process steps matter more than the name19:22 Why people feel lean has failed20:38 Additional learnings in making the second edition of “The Problem-Solver's Toolkit” 21:53 Changes made in the second edition including graphics, examples and templates22:19 What the Just-in-Time Café digital toolkit includes 25:23 How to solve problems based on solving similar problems27:19 The 5S Baby spoof music video inspired by process solving tools29:12 The next spoof song based on root cause analysis33:16 Elisabeth's takeaways from the Japan Leadership Experience in seeing worker happiness34:53 The importance of focusing on human happiness and engagement for growth36:53 Tracy's takeaways from the Japan Leadership Experience 40:00 Top recommendation for being the most effective in getting traction in solving problems41:41 The importance of building curiosity to get to know people and their experiences43:34 What is involved in successful problem-solving44:14 How to close the gap between learning and doing Enter to win a copy of "The Problem Solver's Toolkit" by Tracy O'Rourke and Elisabeth Swan by September 12. Apply today for the Japan Leadership Experience — last chance to join the November 2025 cohort. Applications also open for May 2026.

Kaizen Asiedu is a Harvard Philosophy graduate, Emmy Award winner, and cultural commentator with 800,000+ followers across social platforms. Publicly endorsed by Elon Musk as a “clear thinker,” Kaizen walked away from his Emmy-winning career at Riot Games—where he helped architect League of Legends' competitive formats and global esports policies—to pursue truth and elevate public discourse. As the creator of Clear Thinker, Kaizen has developed a systematic course and community that teaches people how to cut through media bias and political manipulation using critical thinking principles grounded in formal philosophy and peer-reviewed psychology. His non-partisan approach to complex cultural and political issues has made him a trusted voice for Americans who feel politically homeless in today's polarized landscape. Noted for tackling controversial topics ranging from politics to social issues, Kaizen promotes authentic, courageous conversation and encourages his audience to “attack problems, not people.” His mission is to restore clarity, nuance, and civil discourse to American culture by equipping people with the cognitive tools to think independently and resist tribal groupthink—regardless of political affiliation. If you're interested in learning more about Clear Thinker Academy—featuring both systematic training and a community of truth-seekers—go to clearthinkeracademy.com to join the waitlist. With gratitude to our sponsors: RA Opticshttps://raoptics.com/bttpUse Code: BTTP-----Sky Horse Publishinghttps://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/-----Sign Uphttps://www.backtothepeople.net

Send us a textArtificial Intelligence is the future of dentistry, and we're so excited to get the inside scoop straight from the source, Dr. Greg Wu of Mango Voice

Siempre digo que el podcast cumple una función casi terapéutica para mí. Pues, después de estas vacaciones, más aún. Y es que la depresión postvacacional es mucho menor si hay kaizen :) ✉️ Suscríbete a la newsletter de kaizen❤️ ¿Te gusta kaizen? Apoya el podcast uniéndote a la Comunidad y accede a contenidos y ventajas exclusivas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The blog postToo often, leaders think that if they simply “get everyone doing Kaizen,” performance will automatically improve. While daily improvement is essential, some problems are too deeply rooted in the system for frontline staff to fix on their own.In this episode, Mark Graban explores why Kaizen is necessary but not sufficient — and why leaders must take responsibility for changing the systems that shape performance. Drawing on Dr. W. Edwards Deming's reminder that “a bad system will beat a good person every time,” Mark shares real-world examples, including a hospital laboratory redesign that transformed results once leadership tackled systemic constraints.You'll learn:Why leaders can't delegate away system-level changeThe difference between local improvements and structural redesignsHow system fixes and daily Kaizen reinforce one anotherPractical lessons for avoiding frustration and building real, sustainable improvementThe message is clear: frontline staff can't Kaizen their way out of a broken system. Leaders must create the conditions where Kaizen can truly flourish.

Fragestellungen aus der Unterhaltung mit Theresa Sachs: Was war der Auslöser für das Thema? Welche Fragestellungen wurden in der Arbeit untersucht? Was unterscheidet die Bauindustrie von anderen Branchen und verursacht ggf. besondere Herausforderungen? Welche Unterschiede haben sich ggf. bei den verschiedenen Gewerken, Unternehmensgrößen und Unternehmensrollen im Bauprozess ergeben? Was sind ggf. Besonderheiten in der österreichischen Bauindustrie, was sind universelle Aspekte? Welche Erkenntnisse haben sich aus der Arbeit ergeben? Was sind die Erfolgsfaktoren? Wo gab es Überraschungen? Wie sieht ein typischer Implementierungsprozess und der entstandene Leitfaden für die Einführung aus? Wie kann dabei der Fortschritt überprüft werden? Was lässt sich auf andere Branchen übertragen?

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Kaizen narodziła się jako sposób usprawnienia produkcji przemysłowej w powojennej Japonii, a z czasem stała się filozofią życia. Według jej zasad aby się rozwijać i stawać lepszym człowiekiem, nie potrzeba wielkich rewolucji – wystarczą drobne, codzienne zmiany. Tłumaczymy, jak wcielić je w życie. Autorka: Veronica Cristino Artykuł przeczytasz pod linkiem: https://www.vogue.pl/a/kaizen-japonska-filozofia-ciaglego-samodoskonalenia-digitalsyndication

In this episode, I share an interview with Sammy Obara, Founder and Senior Partner at Honsha, a consulting firm made up of former Toyota employees. He recently presented a topic called “Kaizen without Borders” at the 2025 UCSD ProcessPalooza, and I invited him on the podcast. We discuss applying these powerful concepts to NGOs and Continue Reading

Cathrin Koch ist Director Marketing bei Toyota Deutschland.Mit Olli & Martin spricht sie über den anspruchsvollen Spagat zwischen japanischer Perfektionskultur und der Notwendigkeit für agilen, digitalen Fortschritt.Cathrin hat einen seltenen Wechsel vollzogen: von der schnelllebigen Konsumgüterwelt bei Nestlé in die Chef(:innen)-Etage der Automobilindustrie. Sie verkörpert damit eine bewusste Strategie von Toyota, durch frische Perspektiven von außen die eigene digitale Transformation zu beschleunigen. In der Folge gibt sie faszinierende Einblicke, wie die auf kontinuierliche Perfektion ausgelegte Kaizen-Philosophie auf die Dringlichkeit agiler Methoden und revolutionärer Quantensprünge trifft – und wie diese Spannung zum Katalysator für echten Wandel wird.Key Takeaways:… die scheinbar unvereinbaren Kulturen von Perfektion (Kaizen) und Agilität (MVP) bewusst zusammenführen.… Feedbackfähigkeit als trainierbaren Muskel begreifen, um Verschwendung (Muda) in Prozessen zu reduzieren.… den Wandel vom Produkt- zum Service-Anbieter gestalten, bei dem das Auto selbst zum Hygienefaktor wird.Themen unter anderem:(00:11:39) Kaizen & agile Arbeitsweisen(00:27:00) Technologie & KI (im Marketing)(00:35:00) Data-Driven Business & Customer ExperienceLinkedIn:→ Cathrin Koch→ Olli Busch→ Martin Boeing-MessingKeywords: Change Management, Unternehmenskultur, FMCG, Automotive, MVP, Kundenlebenszyklus, Customer Experience, Personalisierung, Feedbackkultur, Retrospektiven, Predictive Modeling, Kollaboration Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dans cet épisode enregistré à la House of Mountains i-Run et Fraich Touch, je reçois deux invités aux parcours aussi riches qu'inspirants : Marine Quintard, architecte passionnée de trail et athlète du team Rossignol, et Mathis Dumas, guide de haute montagne, photographe et alpiniste qui a récemment accompagné Inoxtag jusqu'au sommet de l'Everest.Avec Marine, on revient sur son équilibre entre vie professionnelle exigeante et passion pour le trail, ses performances marquantes – comme sa victoire à la Marathon Race d'Annecy en 2019 – et très sa récente victoire à la MCC de l'UTMB. Elle partage son approche à la fois compétitive et ludique de la course, son rapport au dossard, et ses ambitions pour la suite.Avec Mathis, nous explorons son parcours singulier : de son enfance en Ardèche à son installation à Chamonix, sa bascule vers la photo et le film, mais aussi ses expéditions incroyables qui l'ont notamment mené jusqu'au sommet de l'Everest. Il revient sur son rôle central dans le projet Kaizen aux côtés d'Inoxtag, sur ce que la montagne lui a appris, et sur ses propres défis sportifs, et notamment sa participation à la MCC, son 1er format aussi long en trail après une première expérience sur le cross du Marathon du Mont-Blanc.Entre confidences, émotions de course, réflexion sur l'équilibre de vie et récit d'aventures en haute altitude, cet épisode met en lumière deux visions complémentaires de la montagne : l'une tournée vers la performance sportive et le plaisir de courir, l'autre vers l'exploration, le dépassement et l'art de capter la beauté brute des sommets.Un échange captivant à la croisée des chemins entre trail et alpinisme, entre dossards et cordées, entre quête personnelle et partage d'expériences.Un épisode enregistré à la House of Mountains i-Run x Fraich Touch à Chamonix

the blog postWhat does Lean healthcare really mean? It's more than tools like 5S, A3s, or huddle boards. Lean is a management system that depends on two pillars: respect for people and continuous improvement. Without both, attempts to copy Lean practices in healthcare fail.In this episode, Mark Graban—author of Lean Hospitals, Healthcare Kaizen, and The Mistakes That Make Us—explores how the Toyota Way philosophy applies to hospitals and health systems. He shares lessons from Toyota, Franciscan Health in Indianapolis, and other organizations proving that Lean leadership in healthcare is not about cost-cutting—it's about creating a culture of improvement.What You'll Learn About Lean Healthcare:Why Lean is a system, not a toolbox of methodsHow respect for people means designing systems that prevent mistakes, not blaming staffHow Kaizen in healthcare develops people while improving quality and safetyWhy suggestion boxes fail and daily improvement succeedsThe four goals of Kaizen: Easier, Better, Faster, Cheaper (in that order)How Lean leadership means coaching, not controllingWhy psychological safety and trust are essential for sustainable improvementKey Quotes from Mark:“Improvement happens at the speed of trust.”“The primary goal of Kaizen is to develop people first and meet goals second.”“A Lean environment doesn't cut costs through layoffs. It invests in people and meaningful work.”If you're a healthcare leader trying to reduce errors, engage staff, and build a lasting culture of improvement, this episode provides practical insights you can apply today.

SummaryIn this conversation, cybersecurity expert Christian Espinosa shares his journey from military service to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and effective communication in the tech industry. He discusses the vulnerabilities in medical devices, the significance of hiring for cultural fit, and the steps to improve leadership skills. The discussion also covers the concepts of monotasking versus multitasking, empathy in leadership, and the need for continuous improvement in personal and professional development.TakeawaysChristian emphasizes the importance of communication in cybersecurity.Niche focus can lead to increased success in business.Hiring for cultural fit is crucial for team dynamics.Emotional intelligence is often lacking in highly intelligent individuals.The meaning of communication is determined by the response you receive.Monotasking is more effective than multitasking for productivity.Empathy in leadership helps bridge gaps between team members.Continuous improvement is essential for personal growth.Establishing core values can guide hiring and team behavior.Collaboration is key to overcoming intellectual bullying in teams.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Christian Espinosa01:42 Christian's Journey in Cybersecurity05:26 Entrepreneurship and the Military Background09:05 Niche Focus in Cybersecurity10:29 Vulnerabilities in Medical Devices14:39 Hiring for Culture and Core Values19:00 The Smartest Person in the Room21:10 Seven Steps to Improve Emotional Intelligence34:18 Monotasking vs. Multitasking37:15 Empathy and Kaizen in Leadership39:43 Building Effective Teams44:27 Conclusion and RecommendationsCredits:Hosted by Ryan Roghaar and Michael SmithProduced by Ryan RoghaarTheme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM  The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:bit.ly/eggstunesThe Plugs:The Show: eggscast.com@eggshow on twitter and instagramOn iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pCOnStitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcherAlso available on Google Play Music!Mike "DJ Ontic": Shows and info: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠djontic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@djontic on twitterRyan Roghaar:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rogha.ar

In aviation, the most transformative breakthroughs often take place far above the commercial flight lanes, and far below the public radar.  But in today's defense and aerospace economy, those breakthroughs are harder than ever for small companies to bring to life.  Government budgets overwhelmingly favor the largest primes. Smaller, more agile innovators are forced to bankroll their own R&D while competing against firms with deeper pockets, stronger political clout, and guaranteed contracts.  Venture-style “build-to-flip” incentives tempt some to chase quick exits over long-term quality. Even when technology works, commercial adoption can stall as customers demand bespoke designs for each use case. Swift Engineering's record-breaking high-altitude glider is one such breakthrough fighting its way through that gauntlet.  Designed to fly at 67,000 feet for days at a time, this ultra-light, solar-powered aircraft can do what satellites can't: hold a fixed position, deliver real-time intelligence, and land on a runway. At just 1% of the cost. For Hamed Khalkhali, Swift's president, the innovation story isn't just about engineering excellence. It's about surviving and thriving in a system that often seems built for incumbents.  In this conversation, he unpacks the strategic, funding, and talent challenges that determine which companies survive in the next wave of aerospace innovation.   You'll also learn: High-altitude, solar UAV that outperforms satellites at 1% of the cost. Why system integration is aerospace's next frontier. The funding squeeze forcing small firms to self-finance R&D. The “moral accuracy” gap shaping U.S. drone strategy. How fresh grads can drive bigger breakthroughs than veterans. Keeping start-up creativity alive in bigger organizations. Guest Bio Hamed Khalkhali is the President of Swift Engineering and an adjunct professor at Cal Poly Pomona, with more than 25 years of experience spanning technical innovation, leadership, and cross-disciplinary communication. He brings over a decade of expertise in system-level design for Fly-by-Wire flight control systems with the highest safety standards (FDAL-A), along with deep knowledge of ARP-4752, DO-160, and DO-178 certification processes. Throughout his career, Hamed has led high-performance engineering organizations, managing teams across mechanical, electrical, verification and validation, manufacturing, AI, machine learning, quality control, supply chain, and R&D. He is known for integrating manufacturing engineering into the earliest stages of design, optimizing products through rigorous processes such as Six Sigma, Lean, Kaizen, and design-for-manufacturability. His leadership approach blends technical precision with a focus on systems integration, efficiency, and innovation in both aerospace and defense. Connect with Hamed on LinkedIn.    About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years' experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women's Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.    Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you! 

Apply for the Nov 2025 (limited spots remaining) or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experiencehttps://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/ “Change the culture!”That's exactly what longtime Toyota leader Isao Yoshino was tasked with during one of the most famous business transformations in history—NUMMI—Toyota's joint venture with General Motors in the 1980s.The challenge? Take GM's worst-performing plant—plagued by absenteeism, low morale, and poor quality—and turn it around.Within just one year, with the same American workforce but under Toyota's leadership, NUMMI became GM's best-performing site.Behind the scenes was Mr. Yoshino, leading the design and delivery of a three-week training program in Japan for hundreds of NUMMI's frontline and middle managers.In this episode, Mr. Yoshino shares the inside story of NUMMI's transformation—how an experiment in a business turnaround became a “New Me” moment for its leaders—and the leadership lessons you can use to influence culture change without relying on authority.If you're a lean practitioner or change leader wondering how to truly “change a culture,” this is a rare chance to hear the story directly from the person who lived it.You'll Learn:Why you can't force culture change—and what to do insteadHow Mr. Yoshino and his team created  immersive learning experiences that shifted NUMMI leaders' mindsets in just three weeksWhy the “Check” step in PDCA is the secret to Toyota's sustained success How the andon process reshaped leaders' views on problems—and how a “no problem is a problem” and no-blame mindset fosters learning and continuous improvementWhy NUMMI's transformation was as much (or more) about people as it was about performanceABOUT MY GUEST:Isao Yoshino, worked at Toyota Motor Corporation for over 40 years—from the late 1960s to the early 2000s—and played an important role in the development of Toyota's people-centered learning culture it's now famous for. He was a key part of Kan-Pro senior leadership development program, which embedded A3 thinking as the process for problem-solving, communication, and leadership development across the organization—and has deep expertise in the practice of hoshin-kanri—Toyota's strategy deployment process. He's the subject of the Shingo award-winning book “Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: Lessons from Toyota Leader Isao Yoshino on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning”IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/50Check 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 Learn more about the Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantrip For an even deeper behind-the-scenes look at NUMMI, read the dedicated chapter in my book: LearningToLeadLeadingToLearn.com TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:03:02 How Isao Yoshino felt to be tasked with changing the culture and attitude of NUMMI leaders04:27 Creating the space for leaders to experience working in Japan and Toyota's style09:21 Positive results from employees changing their attitude mindset themselves without being forced12:06 The importance of “check” in the PDCA process 14:38 Making the “check” process a positive experience in learning how to improve systems without blame18:10 The critical difference between the former GM culture and Toyota with their approach to problems19:12 The mindset shift of “no problem is a problem” and the impact of pulling the andon cord20:19 The positive results from lettings others learn and grow without force23:09 Reflections from Isao Yoshino about being part of the Japan Leadership Experience and continuing to learn something new24:38 The acronym for NUMMI and the deeper meaning of, “New Me” to become the best version of yourself Apply for the Nov 2025 (limited spots remaining) or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experiencehttps://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/ 

In this midweek episode, Bill and Jackie join the 'The Visible Voices' podcast, hosted by Dr. Resa E Lewiss. We highlight the voice of late starters and discuss: The huge gap that 'Catching Up to FI' is filling and what we mean by the 'silent majority' How shock, regret, and money-trauma can become fuel Unique advantages you may have when beginning your financial independence journey later in life Why micro-steps (Kaizen-style) beat grand gestures every time   ===    VOTE FOR US: PLUTUS AWARDS  === We need your vote for the 2025 Plutus Awards! You can now vote for your hosts behind "Catching Up to FI” - Bill Yount & Jackie Cummings Koski.   ✅ WHAT IS THE PLUTUS AWARDS? The Plutus Awards recognize excellence in independent financial content. That's the best podcasts, books, video channels, blogs, and more.     ✅ VOTE  If you've gotten value from our content and think we are worthy of recognition,  please support by casting your votes here > >>  https://plutus.awardsplatform.com/. There's a short registration needed to vote and you'll be in and out in just a few minutes.    ✅ DEADLINE The deadline to vote is August 30th, 2025. Winners will be announced in October.   ✅ CATEGORIES Below are the categories we have been nominated for and we'd love your vote in each of them.  Catching Up to FI Best New Personal Finance Content Creator - Audio Content Creator of the Year: Audio People's Choice: Audio Best Financial Advisor Content/Jackie Cummings Koski, CFP Plutus Storyteller Award Best Traditional Retirement Content Best Personal Finance Content for Underserved Communities Best Personal Finance Content for Women   Other categories  Best New Personal Finance Content Creator - Written (F.I.R.E. for Dummies) Best New Personal Finance Book (F.I.R.E. for Dummies) Plutus Resilience Award (Jackie Cummings Koski) Best Financial Independence or Retire Early Content (F.I.R.E. for Dummies)  

Schedule a Meeting with Joshua TODAY!Are you so focused on perfection or beating the competition that you're missing the small daily wins that actually fuel lasting success? In this episode, Joshua Gillow shares the principle that's kept him in business for nearly three decades: CANI — Constant and Never-Ending Improvement. From the Japanese concept of Kaizen to his own “two-millimeter rule,” Joshua reveals why tiny, consistent improvements matter more than giant leaps, and why your only real competition is the version of yourself from yesterday.You will:Discover how to turn perfectionism into daily progress that compounds over time.Learn how to remove external competition from your mindset and focus on sustainable self-growth.See how feedback, small wins, and mini habits can build the foundation for a thriving business and fulfilling life. Press play to learn how just one small improvement today can transform your business, relationships, and mindset over the next year.Connect with Joshua at:The WebsiteThe Facebook GroupSales Master ClassesHow to work with Joshua - https://yes.express/apply/Tune into this podcast where a seasoned craftsman shares expert communication skills, strategies for overcoming stress and overwhelm, and insights on building a profitable business in landscaping and hardscaping, with tips on how to sell, close more deals, and achieve financial freedom to retire early as a successful business owner in the design

We're joined by Brad from Raw Genetics and Secret Selections to talk about his latest work in cannabis genetics. Brad shares insights into new crosses like Kaizen and Zikigai, and gives us a sneak peek into his upcoming venture into the nursery business.From breeding elite strains to expanding into the nursery business, Brad continues to push boundaries in the cannabis space with exciting new genetics. Don't miss this deep dive into his latest creations.

“I didn't know those agents were on your team.”That's the best compliment Ben Schreiber's received recently. It came during a conversation with a couple of agents in his team's market.Why is it a compliment? The model behind his real estate team is all about the agent, not about him. He wants them running their businesses their way - including logos, marketing, and branding. It's an example of what it really means to build an agent-centric team—and what it looks like in practice, not just in theory.In this episode, the team leader of Service Plus RE and a former college tennis player and coach breaks down the philosophy, structure, and leverage behind their 25-agent, $70M-volume organization, a top-ranked team in Kentucky.Ben shares why he started a team rather than a brokerage, why he didn't name the team after himself, why he's obsessed with meeting agents where they are (whether they want to sell 6 homes a year or 40), and the three pillars are of his model (culture, support/implementation, and wealth building).Watch or listen to this conversation with Ben for insights into:How to make “agent-centric” a strategic operating principle, not just a buzzwordWhy coaching agents, like coaching tennis players, must be individualizedThe five staff roles on their 25-agent, $70M teamWhy the team isn't named after Ben and why he prefers a “Wizard of Oz” roleHow kaizen and EOS help improve your businessWhy he doesn't refer to splits and what he calls them insteadThe four things he wants agents to be doing and how that guides the leverage he providesThe level of control agents have over their marketing and branding (spoiler: it's a lot)How the team helps agents with wealth building (including their Agent Success Plan)The five core values that power team culture (integrity, service, innovation, collaboration, fun)The three readiness factors behind buying a home and joining a team or brokerageAt the end, get drive-by on the Cincinnati Bengals, University of Illinois tennis, 1990s sweatshirts, and … this show!Mentioned in this episode:→ Kaizen https://kaizen.com/what-is-kaizen/→ EOS episode https://www.realestateteamos.com/episode/eos-principles-scale-faster-real-estate-harvey-yergin→ eXp Team Leader Academy https://life.exprealty.com/exp-realty-team-leader-academy/→ Andy Mulholland episode www.realestateteamos.com/episode/mastering-real-estate-business-financials-andy-mulhollandConnect with Ben Schreiber:→ Ben at ServicePlusRE dot com→ https://www.serviceplusre.com/Follow Real Estate Team OS:→ https://www.realestateteamos.com→ https://linktr.ee/realestateteamos→ https://www.instagram.com/realestateteamos/

If you've ever started a diet, workout plan, or big goal with all the motivation in the world… only to fizzle out a few weeks later, this episode is for you.I'm breaking down the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, continuous, small improvements that compound into massive change, and pairing it with James Clear's 1% Better Rule from Atomic Habits so you can finally stick with your goals long-term.

Gerhard calls Kaizen 20, 'The One Where We Meet'. Rightfully so. It's also the one where we eat, hike, chat, and launch Pipely live on stage with friends.

Gerhard calls Kaizen 20, 'The One Where We Meet'. Rightfully so. It's also the one where we eat, hike, chat, and launch Pipely live on stage with friends.

Apply for the Nov 2025 (limited spots remaining) or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experiencehttps://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/ When you encounter challenges or setbacks, and it feels like things just aren't going your way, it's easy to get caught into a downward negative spiral.  But could simple mindset shifts change not just how you feel, but how you move forward and influence those around you with positive momentum?In this episode, I'm sharing three powerful reframes that have helped me reset, regain perspective, and move through challenges with intention and empowerment. These reframes aren't just personal practices—they're leadership strategies that can help you model resilience, learning, and agency, and inspire the people around you to do the same.This episode isn't about blind optimism or sugarcoating hard things. It's about real, actionable ways to reframe challenges and move forward with greater clarity, strength, and purpose.Learn the three reframes that have helped me (and the leaders I work with) get back up and lead with heart and intention.YOU'LL LEARN:How to reframe your focus from negative to positive and rise with more clarity and confidenceThe story behind the motto that inspires me daily –“Today's a great day” – and how gratitude can ground you in tough momentsWhy setbacks and failures aren't the end, but an opportunity to learn your way forwardHow the Japanese daruma doll became a lesson in resilience—representing the proverb “Fall down seven times, get up eight”How to move from feeling powerless to empowered and why the ball is always in your courtIMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/49Resources 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 Read my book featuring lessons from Isao Yoshino's 40 years of Toyota Leadership: LearningToLeadLeadingToLearn.com TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:01:56 [1st REFRAME] Find the good—even when it's hard02:03 Katie's dad as the inspiration behind the motto, “Today's a great day”04:23 Isao Yoshino's influence in learning how to shift from negative to positive07:22 The importance of focusing on the good for improvement09:23 [2nd REFRAME] Seeing failures and setbacks as learning opportunities10:17 Why daruma dolls are a reminder of resilience and the Japanese proverb "Fall down seven times, get up eight"12:04 Questions to maintain a learning mindset12:33 The learning zone versus the performance zone from Chain of Learning Episode 5 guest Eduardo Bricino13:37 Reframe exercise to reframe failure to learning opportunity 15:17 [3rd REFRAME] Moving from powerlessness to agency15:51 Understanding, “The ball is in your court” to help how you respond to negative conditions17:07 Achieving goals versus fulfilling your intention18:14 Katie's previous organizational role and how a reframe launched her consulting practice20:19 How two executives used coaching and reflection to shift from solving problems themselves to enabling their teams21:26 Stepping away from frustration and reframing the problem to influence things differently22:51 Reframe exercise to move from inaction to action23:33 Summary of the three reframes25:31 Questions to help shape your day and impact Apply for the Nov 2025 or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experiencehttps://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/ 

In this episode of People Solve Problems, host Jamie Flinchbaugh welcomes Dr. Greg Jacobson, CEO and Co-founder of KaiNexus, for an insightful conversation about the intersection of medical training, psychological safety, and continuous improvement culture. Greg's journey into the world of Lean and Kaizen began in 2004 when his department chairman handed him Masaaki Imai's book "Kaizen" and said, "You think like this." As an emergency medicine doctor, Greg was immediately struck by the realization that there was an entire discipline focused on improving systems. He recognized that healthcare had so many operational inefficiencies that applying these principles in the emergency department could yield tremendous results through solving basic problems and capturing low-hanging fruit. The conversation explores how Greg's medical background both helps and hinders systematic thinking about business problems. He explains that physicians are trained with a scientific mindset where every patient encounter resembles an experiment - gathering evidence, forming hypotheses, running tests, and evaluating outcomes. This mirrors the problem-solving methodology used in Lean thinking, making the transition natural for some medical professionals. However, the competitive nature required to succeed in medical school and residency can create fixed mindsets and reduce curiosity, as many doctors become accustomed to being the "alpha dog" who always has the right answers. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on psychological safety and its critical role in enabling improvement. Greg defines psychological safety as "being rewarded for being vulnerable" - whether that's admitting you don't know something, raising concerns about broken processes, or challenging existing systems. Through his experience working in emergency departments across the United States and even New Zealand, he observed that departments where people felt safe to speak up consistently had better outcomes than those where the culture encouraged keeping quiet and just getting the job done. Jamie and Greg explore how technology systems can actually enhance psychological safety by creating a buffer between individuals and problems. When issues are logged in a system rather than raised face-to-face, it shifts the dynamic from personal confrontation to collaborative problem-solving. The issue becomes the common enemy that everyone works together to address, rather than a source of interpersonal tension. Greg notes that rather than reducing human interaction, electronic systems actually increase communication by creating visibility and fostering engagement around improvement opportunities. The conversation turns to habit science and its application to continuous improvement culture. Greg credits reading "The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg, "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, and "Tiny Habits" by BJ Fogg with transforming both his personal life and his understanding of organizational change. He explains how KaiNexus applies the habit loop concept - cue, routine, reward - to create interconnected behaviors across different organizational levels. The routine of one person becomes the trigger for another person's habit, creating a web of positive behaviors that sustain improvement culture. When asked about his personal habit transformation, Greg shares how he moved from being an inconsistent squash player who would "demolish his body" once or twice a week to someone who exercises daily. After tearing his ACL in his forties, he used habit science principles to change his identity and create sustainable physical activity routines. Throughout the discussion, Greg emphasizes that KaiNexus is fundamentally about the human transformation that technology enables, not the technology itself. The platform's value comes from people interacting with it in specific ways that foster continuous improvement behaviors across the organization. For more information about Greg's work, visit kainexus.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.

In This Episode What happens when decades of experience meet a systems-first mindset? In this engaging conversation, Adi Klevit interviews Rick Yvanovich about his unexpected journey from a corporate role in oil and gas to building a global ERP consulting firm. Rick shares how his early days in Vietnam sparked an entrepreneurial path fueled by word-of-mouth referrals and hands-on implementation. But it wasn't until he began hiring and scaling that he saw the crucial need for documenting systems and procedures. Together, he and Adi dive deep into the ROI of standard operating procedures, revealing how process clarity reduces friction, supports onboarding, and ensures business continuity—even through staff turnover. The conversation also explores Rick's take on proactive process review using Kaizen, how documentation increases business valuation, and why companies need to stop relying on tribal knowledge. Whether you're growing a team or preparing for an exit, this episode highlights how systems create both operational stability and long-term value.  

When GE Healthcare told Sarah Tilkens she was “too good where she was,” she turned rejection into redirection—and launched The KPI Lab. In this episode, she shares how her journey from corporate ops leader to executive coach is reshaping how businesses approach problem solving, people leadership, and continuous improvement.Sarah brings sharp strategy and a heart-first mindset to every challenge—from leading Kaizen events to coaching executives and mapping out better standards for success.

Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? I share three practical strategies to reduce overwhelm and finally get things done. Learn how to find safety, soften your defensive state, and take small, almost effortless steps forward. This episode is a replay of a free webinar from the Unstucking Academy. Discover actionable tips to improve your daily life and reach your goals without feeling stressed. Tune in and take a step towards living more calmly, confidently, and connected.00:00 3 Strategies to reduce overwhelm and get stuff done (262)01:26 intro, about, and goal01:53 You have things to do03:34 3 options to get stuff done04:19 Feel safety and then get stuff done 05:14 Passive safety cues07:29 Mindfully connect with a passive cue09:08 Safety cues are everywhere10:00 Jenny finds safety first11:30 Soften defense, then get stuff done12:30 Imagine defensive activation ahead of time13:21 Mindfully permit defense14:36 Recovering from overwhelm15:51 Jenny softens defense18:55 Bypass overwhelm to get more stuff done 20:53 Kaizen Steps Should be Very Small22:21 How to make small Kaizen steps22:54 Kaizen Examples25:47 Kaizen example: Tatiana27:15 Kaizen example: James28:40 Kaizen example: Heather31:37 Kaizen ecample: you39:57 Emotional objection to Kaizen43:43 Softening defense of work overwhelm47:40 Amanda overwhelm at grocery storeResources:

Welcome to a special episode of the She Rises Studios podcast featuring Michèle Kline, a powerhouse of transformation where neuroscience meets operations and leadership becomes a lifestyle. With over 20 years of experience leading operations and human resources in the hospitality and service industry, she has built and elevated teams for some of the world's most recognized brands across the U.S. and South America. As the founder of Kline Hospitality and a certified Life, Executive, and Neuroscience-Based Coach, Michèle blends continuous improvement practices like Kaizen and Six Sigma with the science of high performance to help leaders reprogram habits, reset patterns, and create sustainable change. A member of the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team, she delivers high-impact workshops, coaching, and keynotes that spark clarity and provoke growth. She's the international bestselling author of 360° IMPACT, co-creator of the WTF! Walk The Floors podcast, and a contributor to the Becoming an Unstoppable Woman anthology. Beyond the boardroom, she champions youth leadership through her Champion Mindset program and drives inclusion through 360° IMPACT Connection Labs. A respected industry voice, 8x bestselling author, and devoted community builder, Michèle is on a mission to help people stop settling and start stretching—one bold conversation at a time.

Vous n'avez peut-être jamais entendu parler d'eux, ou au contraire, vous les suivez depuis plusieurs années... Cet été, Code Source vous propose une série de portraits de personnalités très connues au sein de leur bulle mais pas toujours identifiées par le grand public. Cinquième et dernier épisode : Inoxtag. Au printemps 2024, le youtubeur Inoxtag, 23 ans, se donne le défi de gravir l'Everest, l'un des plus hauts sommets de la planète. Il documente son entraînement et son ascension dans un documentaire intitulé « Kaizen », qui cumule plus de 44 millions de vues sur YouTube depuis sa sortie en septembre dernier. Le succès stratosphérique de ce film lui a fait passer un nouveau niveau de notoriété.Pourtant, Inoxtag, de son vrai nom Inès Benazzouz, a démarré sa chaîne YouTube à l'âge de onze ans, en postant des vidéos de lui en train de jouer aux jeux vidéos dans sa chambre. Au fil des années, il gagne en popularité et s'émancipe de la sphère du « gaming ». Il se met alors à proposer des vidéos long format, dans lesquelles il se lance des défis tels que « Survivre sept jours sur une île déserte ». Code source dresse le portrait de ce youtubeur avide de défis avec Kévin Boucher, journaliste au service culture du Parisien, spécialiste des médias.Écoutez Code source sur toutes les plates-formes audio : Apple Podcast (iPhone, iPad), Amazon Music, Podcast Addict ou Castbox, Deezer, Spotify.Crédits. Direction de la rédaction : Pierre Chausse - Rédacteur en chef : Jules Lavie - Reporter : Barbara Gouy - Production : Clara Garnier-Amouroux, Clémentine Spiler, Raphaël Pueyo et Anaïs Godard - Réalisation et mixage : Julien Montcouquiol - Musiques : François Clos, Audio Network - Archives : Youtube @Inoxtag. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

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The haze of Paral·lel festival has barely lifted, but we're rewinding to another moment worth lingering on, February in Granada, at the Moonback club. There, under the warm glow of the Extramostra banner, Mostra linked up with the Klub Collective for a night that balanced local soul with an international touch. The lineup reads like a heads-only dream: Timnah, Antonio Vázquez, Refracted, and a solid core of Klub Collective residents including Fran Acosta, Kaizen, and Utopian. The kind of night that reminded us why the first slot matters more than most people admit. It's the architectural role: shaping the night's flow from zero. Utopian did just that. His set unfolds like a slow exhale, dub-laced ambient that creeps, swells, and gradually transforms into chugging, low-slung techno hypnosis. It's a patient climb: syncopated, restrained, precise. Not a single cheap move, just deep focus and floor logic, the kind that sets the table without stealing the meal. But make no mistake, this was a statement. A warm-up that didn't just support the night, but elevated it. @utopian_dj www.instagram.com/isidrobolivar_utopian Write up by: @gilleswasserman Follow us on social media: @itsdelayed linktr.ee/delayed www.delayed.nyc www.facebook.com/itsdelayed www.instagram.com/_____delayed www.youtube.com/@_____delayed Contact us: info@delayed.nyc

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In this bonus episode of Lean Blog Interviews, host Mark Graban talks with Jared Thatcher, founder of the Global Lean Summit, to preview the upcoming event taking place September 23–25, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana. Jared shares the Summit's origin story—from a virtual event launched during COVID lockdowns to a high-impact in-person gathering that brings together Lean leaders, practitioners, and learners from a wide range of industries. This year's Summit includes: ✅ A site visit and training day at Toyota Material Handling ✅ A new healthcare track, co-hosted with Indiana University's medical school ✅ A foundational Kaizen facilitation workshop for hands-on learning ✅ Free in-person access for university students ✅ A 30-60-90 day virtual follow-up to help participants apply what they learned Notable speakers include Phil Wickler (GE Aerospace), Sam McPherson, Mohamed Saleh, Nick Katko, Hide Oba, and Mark Graban, among others. Whether you're just starting your Lean journey or looking to deepen your capabilities, the Global Lean Summit is designed to foster meaningful connections, practical learning, and sustained improvement.

A slightly reduced crew this week as Adam Reed, Tom Dove and Damian Clarke take over while Spooner's off fishing (or possibly sunning it up in Morocco). In this episode, the team delves into the development of the new Kaizen High Performance Mono, Korda's brand-new fishing line, which will hit tackle shops on August 1st. With years of real testing and feedback from top anglers, they break down why “The BEST We've Ever Used!” and how it will be the best all-purpose line on the market today. You'll also hear: We put an end to the rumours that Adam Reed is getting “Bullied” Stories from the “Syndicate Lake” that “fished its nuts off” Highlights from “Spooners 50 cup” challenge, including two mega UK 50-pound carp. Behind-the-scenes chat about product design, banter, and podcast mishaps

The Private Equity Podcast – Show NotesGuest: Otis Spencer Host: Alex Rawlings Episode Title: Lessons in Leadership: From Army Logistics to PE Operating Partner & CEO Success

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Apply for the Nov 2025 or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experiencehttps://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/ You're implementing the tools.Making the improvements.Delivering the project results.But the same problems keep resurfacing and you're left wondering: What's missing?In this episode, Josef Procházka, a lean consultant from the Czech Republic, shares his personal journey of transformation—from frustrated practitioner to heart-led coach—and the impact his shift in approach to consulting has had for his clients and for himself.Josef began his career focused on tools, metrics, and deliverables. But something didn't feel right.After reading Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn and joining two of my Japan Leadership Experience programs, Josef experienced a transformation of both mind and heart. He found a more meaningful path: one centered on people, purpose, and intentional leadership.Whether you're an external consultant, internal improvement or operational leader, or simply looking to grow your impact—Josef's story is a reminder that real change doesn't come from better systems alone. This episode will challenge you to rethink how you show up to lead change, what transformation really requires, and what it means to lead with intention.YOU'LL LEARN:How Josef shifted from tool-based delivery to people-centered transformationWhat it looks like to reframe 5S (a workplace organizational practice) into a more meaningful, people-centered practiceThe mindset change required to stop “doing Lean” for others and start leading change with themWays personal growth can unlock deeper change for your clients and organizationsWhy sustainable improvement depends on connecting people and purpose—not just applying toolsABOUT MY GUEST:Josef Procházka is a Lean Six Sigma consultant from the Czech Republic with 20+ years of experience helping manufacturing companies improve productivity, streamline processes, and enhance quality through structured problem-solving and project leadership. He specializes in making Lean practices meaningful by translating tools like 5S and A3 into values-driven change that engages people at every level. IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/48My 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/katalystApply for the Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantripRead my book that played a role in Josef's leadership transformation: LearningToLeadLeadingToLearn.comTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:03:13 How the Japan Leadership Experiences influenced Josef's transformation05:27 The “aha” shifts that helped his transformation07:59 Why Josef's approach was not making an impact11:00 Reframing 5S to meaningful 5S to increase productivity in a client's workplace17:30 The importance of bringing meaningfulness to create impact20:03 The negative effect of short-term focus without a long-term view22:33 Why Josef decided to come back to the Japan Leadership Experience 25:32 Why Katie is passionate about leading her Japan Leadership Experiences 28:12 The connection leaders feel after the immersive experience in Japan29:07 Positive transformations from two clients Josef invited to the Japan Leadership Experience33:29 Importance of continuing to learn and going towards the North star to be a better leader37:52 Why real leaders practice lean for their team39:21 Josef's story on going to the Japan Leadership Experience44:21 Advice to make a shift towards greater impact46:21 7 key steps to create real long-term impact Apply for the Nov 2025 or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experiencehttps://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/ 

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What You'll Learn:In this episode, host Andy Olrich and guest Hessam Vali discuss the importance of aligning leadership with personal and organizational values. Hessam shares his journey of self-reflection and the impact of a pivotal moment with a CEO. They discuss practical steps for embedding purpose, such as documenting values, integrating them into daily operations, and fostering a culture of vulnerability and trust. Hessam also highlights the significance of storytelling and recognition programs in reinforcing values and engaging employees. About the Guest:Hessam Vali is Co-Founder of Techam Solutions, an engineering and management consulting firm focused on operational excellence and business transformation. A Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and ASQ Certified Quality Professional, Hessam has a strong track record of leading teams to streamline processes and deliver measurable results.With deep expertise in Lean tools like Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, SMED, and 5S—as well as methodologies like DMAIC and DMADV—he has led major product development projects in the automotive and construction sectors. Customer-focused and results-driven, Hessam combines technical precision with strategic insight to tackle complex challenges.Links:Click Here For Hessam Vali's LinkedInClick Here For Website 

This episode is brought to you by Kaizen The Fall Guys are back on the main feed! (for the final time). The episode is brought to you by Kaizen - Brett gives us the latest on his Kaizen prediction now that he's got a couple of solid weeks under his belt - spoiler alert things are shaping up very nicely for Sydney. It's a monster show this week as we welcome 17 year old prodigy Dan Williams to the show - Dan joins us to talk about his training, his future college plans, and signing an NIL deal with On. After that, we get into London Diamond League results, Ruth's horror week, and eventually some training weeks before closing out with Grego's coveted Athlete of the Week. HEAD TO KAIZEN AND USE CODE 4THEKUDOS

A global economic crisis is dragging down sales.Departments are working in silos and leaders at all levels are arguing about priorities. Managers are too busy to coach their teams.You might think this describes your organization today—and it was the exact situation Toyota faced nearly 50 years ago.This challenge sparked one of the most ambitious and influential—and least known outside Japan—leadership development programs in Toyota's history: the Kanri Nouryoku Program, or Kan-Pro for short. “Kanri” meaning management, and “Nouryoku” meaning capability.Kan-Pro helped establish the people-centered learning culture Toyota is famous for today and embedded A3 thinking as a foundational process for problem-solving, communication, and leadership development.I invited Isao Yoshino—a 40-year Toyota leader who was one of the key team members who helped create and lead the program—to share his experience in two pivotal moments in Toyota's evolution and how he learned to lead cultural leadership transformation from a place of influence, not authority. Join me and Mr. Yoshino—also the subject of my Shingo-award winning book Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn — as we celebrate its 5-year anniversary this month!YOU'LL LEARN:The problem Toyota was trying to solve—and how Kan-Pro emerged as the countermeasureThe leadership styles of Masao Nemoto vs. Taiichi Ohno—and how both shaped Toyota's culture through the development of Toyota Way management culture and the Toyota Production System How Mr. Yoshino learned to coach and develop more senior executives as a mid-level internal change leaderThe process that established A3 thinking as the standard for leadership development, communication, and problem-solving across ToyotaCritical leadership behaviors that led to Toyota's success—which have come to be known as “lean management”Stay tuned for Episode 50 where Mr. Yoshino shares his major assignment to “change the culture”—how he and his team, including Lean Global Network Chairman John Shook, led the training and transformation of frontline American leaders at NUMMI, the GM–Toyota joint venture in the 1980s.ABOUT MY GUEST:Isao Yoshino, worked at Toyota Motor Corporation for over 40 years—from the late 1960s to the early 2000s—and played an important role in the development of Toyota's people-centered learning culture it's now famous for. He was a key part of Kan-Pro senior leadership development program, which embedded A3 thinking as the process for problem-solving, communication, and leadership development across the organization—and has deep expertise in the practice of hoshin-kanri—Toyota's strategy deployment process.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/47My website with 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 Learn more about the Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantrip My book featuring lessons from Isao Yoshino's 40 years of Toyota Leadership: LearningToLeadLeadingToLearn.comTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:03:51 The leadership shift behind the Toyota Way towards a people centered approach06:03 How Taiichi Ohno shaped the Toyota Production System and Masao Nemoto shaped Toyota Way style leadership07:41 Closing Toyota's leadership gap and how Kan-Pro emerged as a countermeasure12:41 Why committed top-down leadership ownership is essential to creating organizational culture14:46 How seriousness and patience sets Toyota apart15:17 Why Toyota created Kan-Pro to 're-tighten the belt' on leadership capabilities and why they need to refocus on leadership capabilities every generation18:55 The leader's role in setting direction and providing support to their people 20:40 The mindset shift in top management to not to fake it21:17 Mr. Yoshino's experience coaching senior leaders through hands-on A3 learning25:38 Key influence skills Mr. Yoshino learned from great Toyota managers28:12 The importance of respect by senior leaders even when there's resistance to change28:58 Being a Yes-Minded Persuader – a key KATALYST™ Chang Leader competency –  in bringing leaders along in change 31:25 Lessons from coaching senior leaders using A3 thinking during Kan-Pro35:45 The positive shift when leaders prepare the A3 themselves37:48 Importance of handwritten A3s to senior executives41:13 The significance of a leader stamping their hanko on an A3 document43:35 Why an A3 at Toyota is different compared to most companies45:16 Mr. Yoshino's highlights in participating in Katie's Japan Leadership Experience lean management tours 48:29 Leading change involves empathy, patience, and helping others change themselves48:50 Questions to reflect on as a change agent in your organization Apply for the Nov 2025 Japan Leadership Experience https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/ 

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Challenging Ego and Creating Empathy with April SimmonsTim sits down with industry powerhouse, April Simmons, to explore her journey from loan officer to digital retailing pioneer to operations leader at Horne Auto Group.April shares candid stories of breaking barriers as a woman in automotive, building successful internet departments, and discovering her “second mountain”—a mission to empower others.From resilience to reinvention, this TimTalks episode has actionable insights for anyone looking to grow in the auto industry.Connect with April on LinkedIn.[00:00 – 01:04] Opening & Guest IntroductionTim introduces the episode and welcomes long-time friend and automotive leader April Simmons.[01:04 – 02:31] A Decade of PartnershipApril reflects on meeting Tim in 2016 and their early work together to bring CarNow into Earnhardt.[02:31 – 03:57] Taking Risks as a Thought LeaderApril and Tim recall navigating early challenges of introducing new tech into traditional dealerships.[03:57 – 05:02] April's Automotive Origin StoryFrom a Nebraska bank loan officer to the Arizona car scene, April shares her path to the auto industry.[05:02 – 07:22] Early Lessons & AdaptingApril discusses her evolution with technology, from banking systems to the dawn of digital retailing.[07:22 – 09:04] Entering Retail Automotive & Breaking BarriersApril shares her journey into finance and her determination to rise in a male-dominated industry.[09:04 – 12:03] Building Internet Departments & Learning MarketingApril explains how she learned internet sales and marketing by leveraging vendor insights and curiosity.[12:03 – 13:29] The Secret Sauce: CommunicationApril's success formula: apply proven retail principles while evolving communication methods.[13:29 – 17:21] Women in Automotive: Opportunity & ObstaclesTim and April explore how women dominate when given the chance, and what holds the industry back from greater inclusivity.[17:21 – 22:10] Retaining Women & Evolving CultureApril stresses retention and the need for leadership to evolve beyond historic toxic norms.[22:10 – 26:08] Treat People How You Wish To Be TreatedA powerful discussion on breaking cycles and building better, healthier leadership environments.[26:08 – 31:22] From Survival to JoyApril opens up about transitioning from survival mode to a values-driven life and leadership journey.[31:22 – 36:08] The Call to EmpowerApril outlines her calling to be the “foundation of others' evolution,” teaching and empowering without boundaries.[36:08 – 37:43] Continuous ImprovementApril shares her word of the year: Kaizen. She gives insight into how small daily actions fuel growth and clarity.[37:43 – 37:54] Closing RemarksTim and April wrap the episode with gratitude, encouragement, and a commitment to always get better together.

Conversamos con Milly Cabán, ingeniera y coach, quien presenta su nuevo libro, De Sueños a Proyectos: Cómo Construir la Mejor Versión de Ti. Exploramos cómo aplicar conceptos de la ingeniería en la vida diaria para transformar ideas en acciones concretas. Millie comparte su enfoque en la cultura organizacional y el clima de trabajo, resaltando la metodología de Kaizen para implementar mejoras sostenibles. Durante la charla, destacamos la importancia de la disciplina y herramientas prácticas, como la metodología DMAIC, para facilitar cambios significativos. Milly enfatiza el principio de Pareto y cómo decisiones intencionales en hábitos diarios pueden impactar nuestros objetivos. El episodio se adentra en la integración de la vida profesional y personal, motivando a los oyentes a construir relaciones significativas que trasciendan los logros profesionales.

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What does it take to run one of the top-performing machine shops in the country? In this episode of MakingChips, we sit down with Kevin Bowling, COO of Major Tool & Machine, to find out exactly what drives their success—and why it all starts with people. Kevin isn't just leading a massive operation with 670,000 square feet of manufacturing space and machines that can turn parts up to 40 feet in diameter—he's cultivating a culture of excellence, servant leadership, and continuous improvement. From daily standups to custom-built software tools that empower employees to submit (and track) improvement ideas, Kevin shares how his team fuels a winning environment. We talk about how Major Tool keeps scrap rates under 1.6%, mitigates multi-million dollar risks, and engages machinists in everything from quoting to process design. But more than that, Kevin reveals why trust, gratitude, action, growth, and excellence aren't just words on a wall—they're the foundation for shop floor performance. Whether you're running a 3-person shop or leading hundreds, this conversation is packed with ideas you can apply to raise the bar. Because when leadership is intentional and people are empowered, that's when you start making chips—and making money. Segments (0:00) Nick ditches the t-shirt to interview like an adult (0:47) Will we see you at Top Shops 2025? (1:51) Paul shares insights from a woodworking leadership forum (3:50) Introducing Kevin Bowling from Major Tool & Machine (7:40) Overview of Major Tool's massive facility and machine capabilities (12:41) Building culture through employee-led process design and daily Kaizen (16:24) How culture drives retention—Kevin's team gives Cadillacs at 50 years (18:00) Inverted org charts and servant leadership in practice (19:32) Custom software and dashboards built around the floor's needs (22:39) Grow your top and bottom line with CLA (25:05) Aligning improvement ideas with key business KPIs (26:50) Making the scoreboard visible: everyone should know if they won today (29:48) KPIs that drive engagement and performance (31:25) Major Tool's five core values: Trust, Gratitude, Action, Growth, Excellence (35:08) Managing massive parts and multi-million dollar risk (39:45) Everything is scalable—even if you're just starting out (41:13) Real-world Kaizen: from newspaper boards to software tickets (44:25) Why every initiative must start with defining the current state (46:21) Sustaining improvements through standard work (47:39) Integrated systems, employee engagement, and long-term culture (50:22) Let Hire MFG Leaders make your next hire smooth and seamless Resources mentioned on this episode Will we see you at Top Shops 2025? Grow your top and bottom line with CLA Let Hire MFG Leaders make your next hire smooth Major Tool & Machine Virtual Tour of Major Tool Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn PFMEA risk management Connect With MakingChips www.MakingChips.com On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

This week's guests are Kirsten Gallagher and Adam Lawrence. Ron, Kirsten, and Adam discussed Kirsten and Adam's individual backgrounds, what it means to be a "kaizen ninja," how to handle reluctant participants, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes Kirsten and Adam like (2:30) Kirsten's background (3:26) Adam's background (6:17) What the "kaizen ninja" concept means (8:00) Their experiences with people reluctant to participate (10:14) Adam's anecdote about making a personal impact (20:01) What's unique about each of their styles (22:05) Their final words of wisdom (27:28) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Kirsten on LinkedIn Adam on LinkedIn Process Improvement Partners on LinkedIn Adam's Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What does being a "kaizen ninja" mean to you?