Welcome to another episode of Why They Fail. In this episode, we explore the heart of every successful continuous improvement effort: leadership. Many companies invest in Lean Six Sigma or the Shainin Red X method, yet most fail to sustain progress. The reason is rarely the tools. It is almost always the leadership behind them.
We sit down with Craig Hysong, President and CEO of Shainin, to understand how leadership shapes a problem-solving culture. Craig shares his journey, including the moment he discovered the Shainin approach while working as a young engineer at General Motors.
He explains how the Red X method identifies the single dominant cause of a problem, cutting through the noise of endless variables. We also explore how Shainin and Six Sigma share a strong foundation in data-driven analysis and root cause thinking. But as Craig reminds us, no method works without strong, committed leadership.
Craig emphasizes that lasting improvement depends on leaders who act, not just talk. Training teams is not enough. Successful continuous improvement begins with a clear vision, a sense of urgency, and consistent communication from the top. Leaders must connect improvement projects directly to key business goals.
He introduces Shainin’s Rolling Top Five, a simple yet powerful framework for keeping improvement alive. This approach pushes leadership to focus on the few projects that matter most. It ensures every action aligns with measurable results.
Craig also shares an effective accountability practice. Instead of project leaders giving updates, sponsors present progress directly to senior management. This shift keeps leadership engaged and invested. It builds ownership and turns continuous improvement into a daily habit, not a side project.
Mastering problem solving is a necessary skill in multiple areas of any business. Each of Shainin's problem solving strategies has a specific place to be applied. Their methods can be used to:
Depending on your current needs and future goals, one or all of these disciplines may be t...
