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The Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 139 Michelle Formanczyk: Improving Communication with VoicePrint Michelle Formanczyk is the owner of Slingshot Designs and serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Lean Consortium as Director of Outreach. She’s a certified VoicePrint practitioner and seasoned consultant with deep expertise in continuous improvement, leadership development, and communication strategy. Today, she joins us to share how VoicePrint brings empathy back to leadership—transforming how teams connect, collaborate, and thrive.” Key Takeaways VoicePrint is a communication tool identifying 9 "voices" people use, grouped into exploring, positioning, and controlling clusters VoicePrint helps leaders understand their communication patterns and impact, improving team d...
2025-08-2842 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 138 Sabrina Malter: Continuously Learning  Key Takeaways Sabrina's journey from the pharmaceutical industry to management consulting focused on learning and lean principles The importance of creating psychologically safe environments for learning and coaching Key insights on writing a book, including the value of accountability and developing one's writing voice Sabrina's book “Lernen leben” ("Learning and Living)" (available in the German language only) focuses on fostering a learning mindset and culture in organizations Sabrina's Career Journey 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry, starting in quality testing Transitioned to people and culture, then back to production Gradually learned about lean, initi...
2025-08-131h 02The Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 137 Jared Thatcher (and the Global Lean Summit) Key Takeaways Jared Thatcher has 20+ years of lean experience across manufacturing, consulting, and government sectors The Global Lean Summit evolved from virtual events during COVID to an international in-person conference This year's summit (Sept 23-25, 2023) features speakers from global companies, a Toyota plant tour, and follow-up support The summit aims to provide a comprehensive learning experience on lean principles and implementation Topics Jared's Lean Journey Started in manufacturing, noticing inefficiencies and developing improvements MBA introduced formal lean concepts, aligning with his natural problem-solving approach Worked at Daimler Trucks NA, saving millions through...
2025-07-2955 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 136 Positive Intelligence with Corinna Freitag Do you consider yourself to be “good with people?"  Some of us are born with the skill of creating relationships and working well with others; some of us struggle, especially people whose strengths are in science and technology, and we all could learn to be better at it! Whether you are a natural "people person" or not, Corinna Freitag has essential advice for all of us about the trait of positive intelligence and how it can enhance our work and personal relationships.   Corinna Freitag   Corinna Freitag is an Executive Coach...
2025-01-3137 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 135 Time Optimization with David Buck   What’s the only thing we all have the same amount of?  It’s the number of hours in our day.  We live in a culture that is focused on productivity, but David Buck, the author of The Time Optimized Life,  has a different perspective on time. He says we should be thinking about time optimization, not time management, and he bases his approach on lean thinking. I invited him to spend a little time with me at the Edges of Lean to share his insights.  Note: this conversation is especially important for people who are consid...
2024-10-2942 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 134 Continuous Improvement in a Time of Political Turmoil with Phyllis Leavitt  It’s election season in the United States, and it affects us all, no matter how involved we are in politics. Deep fractures run through our families, neighborhoods, and workplaces, affecting our ability to live and work with each other. Phyllis Leavitt’s new book, America in Therapy, directly addresses this problem and what we can do about it. She joined me at the Edges of Lean to talk about the intersections of political division and continuous improvement.    Phyllis Leavitt Phyllis Leavitt’s journey into psychology began long before her formal education. Growing up in a c...
2024-10-1742 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 133 Meetings that Don't Suck with Jonathan Vehar and Cathi Brese Doebler One of the things that frankly drives me crazy about how people think about continuous improvement is a focus on cost savings rather than increasing productivity and engagement< >  Jonathan Vehar Jonathan Vehar is on a mission to make meetings better. With years of experience as a leader, executive, and facilitator, he knows what works and what does not. Known as an "innovation thought leader" by Fast Company, Jonathan takes a fresh but productive approach to improving "how teams collaborate". He has worked with top companies like Disney, Intel, NASA, and Pfizer, and his insights h...
2024-10-1036 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 132 The Hidden Side of Coaching with Kelly Mallery Who are you when you are coaching?  How are you presenting yourself to your learner? How might your inner emotional state affect your coaching effectiveness?  Kelly Mallery coaches using the Toyota Improvement Kata and she joined me at the Edges of Lean to share some of her insights and what she has learned about the hidden side of coaching.     Kelly Mallery   Kelly Mallery serves as the Operational Excellence Manager for two Viant Medical sites while running her own coaching business, Kelly Mallery Coaching & Consulting LLC. She became part of Viant...
2024-09-2432 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 131 Unblocking the Organization with Jurriaan Kamer We know that autonomy is one of the factors that leads to high employee satisfaction and that organizational alignment is required to achieve company goals. But how do you get both autonomy and alignment? Jurriaan Kamer believes that companies can achieve aligned autonomy, and there are specific actions leaders can take to reach this goal. He joined me at the Edges of Lean to share his experience and insights.   Jurriaan Kamer   Jurriaan Kamer is a Dutch expert in organizational change and co-founder of Unblock, a modern management consultancy. He is...
2024-09-1936 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 130 Continuously Reducing Racism in Your Company Culture with JD Mass A diverse organization is a competitive advantage –innovation and problem-solving thrive when people from diverse backgrounds work together. No matter who we are, when we move into that diverse environment, we all, no matter our race, carry baggage from racism in our culture.  JD Mass has written a book called “Race for What,” addressing the causes of racism and steps white folk can take to heal from the harm of racism and begin to connect as humans. He joined me at the Edges of Lean to share his insights.  JD Mass  
2024-08-2640 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 129 Continuously Upgrading Your Thinking with Fletcher Ellingson As lean thinkers, we often look at life as a series of problems to be solved. I know I do this: I will be somewhere and see something that is working quite right, and I immediately think about the root cause of the issue and potential countermeasures to try. Do you do that, too? That is why I loved this conversation with Fletcher Ellingson, who talks about how to live a “feel good life,” building grace.  And wait till you hear what he says about our values do not mean jack!   Fletcher Ellingson. ...
2024-07-2937 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 128 Continuously Improving Connection with Your Preteen with Marcus Aurelius Higgs If you are a lean thinker, you are probably working to continually improve your skills in communicating with the adults in your life.  You may also be working to bring some lean thinking into your family life.  But what if you have some pre-teens in your family circle? They can be very challenging to work with – and that is where Marcus Higgs can help us.  He works with parents of pre-teens to help them improve their connection with the kids at a time when the kids are beginning to establish their unique identities.    Marcus...
2024-07-1135 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 127 Continually Improving Lead Generation with Jamaul Ford      You took the big plunge and started your own business.  Maybe you already have a customer or two.  But what comes next?  Jamaul Ford is a second-generation entrepreneur with some great ideas about what you already know about learning cycles for finding and connecting with customers. Let's listen to what he has to say. Jamaul Ford Jamaul Ford, or Jamaul the Maven, is an accomplished second-generation entrepreneur whose business journey goes beyond commercial success. His mission revolves around fostering growth, empathy, and community. With a strong belief in und...
2024-07-0840 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 126 Getting to the Root Causes of Your Limiting Beliefs with Jeeva Sam     When I was first working, one of the early lessons imparted to me was that whatever happened at home was not pertinent to my work life.  That has been a difficult lesson for me to unlearn.  It was one of many limiting beliefs that I wasn’t even aware I was carrying into my lean and continuous improvement work. Jeeva Sam joined me at the Edges of Lean to share his insights into some of the limiting beliefs that hold us back and what we can do about them.  Jeeva Sam  ...
2024-06-2737 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 125 You Can’t Do Lean Here, Customer Development Edition with Danny Nathan Lean practitioners often discuss the importance of delivering value to customers and understanding their needs. However, Danny Nathan takes this to a new level with his unique approach to lean customer development. His business is a testament to this. Intrigued by his methods, I invited him to join me on a journey to the Edges of Lean, where he shared his insights and practices.    Danny Nathan:   Danny is a versatile entrepreneur who has made a name for himself by helping companies create and launch new products and ventures. With a b...
2024-06-2046 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 124 Continuously Improving Your Dissertation with Dr. Jen Harrison   Have you earned an advanced degree? What was the dissertation process like for you?  Have you thought about going back to school for a PhD?  Are you wondering how to succeed and come out of the process with new knowledge, ready for your next challenge, and with your continuous improvement skills and self-confidence honed? Dr. Jen Harrison works with students as a dissertation coach, and she joined me at the Edges of Lean to share the pitfalls and the keys to success with researching and writing your dissertation, all while becoming more collaborative.    Jen Ha...
2024-06-1037 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 123 You Can’t Do Lean Here: Pharma Marketing Edition with Tirrell Payton Here at the edges of Lean, I love to talk with people who have taken Lean thinking into spaces far from the shop floor.  Tirrell Payton is a lean thinker bringing lean to pharmaceutical marketing – a highly regulated, people-focused business area and one of the places where people are very likely to say, “You can’t do lean here!”.  He joined me at the Edges of Lean to discuss why and how he does it.   Tirrell Payton Tirrell Payton is a dynamic and compelling individual who brings energy and storytelling to any platform. As the leade...
2024-05-0146 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 122 The Stories We Tell with Aurora Winter   We have been looking at different aspects of communication here at the Edges of Lean, and one aspect I wanted to explore more was the neuroscience of communication. Creative entrepreneur, writer, and coach Aurora Winter joins me to bring insight on that topic and highlight the power of stories.    Aurora Winter     Aurora Winter is a successful entrepreneur, bestselling author, TV writer-producer, and founder of SamePagePublishing.com. With expertise in film and neuroscience, Aurora helps people craft impactful stories that boost brands, books, and businesses. Winner of the Outst...
2024-04-2446 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 121 Continuously Improving Persuasion with Carlos Alvarenga I believe lean thinking is the best way to manage a business and develop people. Even though I have much experience and many great examples to share, it does not mean I am always successful in persuading people. Carlos Alvarenga is a communications researcher who has delved into what it takes to be persuasive. He joined me at the Edges of Lean to talk about his new book: “The Rules of Persuasion,” and to explain why persuasion is a skill we can all learn.    Carlos Alvarenga   Carlos A. Alvarenga is an i...
2024-04-1749 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 120 Communication as a Lean Process with Geoff Weinstein How much time are you spending every day on communication? How effective and efficient is your communication? We live in a swirl of communication – email, instant messages, text messages, and social media posts. And sometimes we even talk to each other! Geoff Weinstein says communication is a real “Edges of the Lean” frontier – one of the places where we can all leverage lean thinking to reduce waste and improve our lives. He joined me at The Edges of Lean to discuss lean communication – and by the way, he has gifts for you that you can download at http://geo...
2024-04-1050 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 119 Continuously Improving Trust on Your Team with George DomAs lean leaders, we understand that trust is a key component of an effective and efficient culture. George Dom spent years in high-performance environments where trust was not just a nice to have, but it was necessary to assure that the entire team succeeded – and survived! He has joined me at the Edges of Lean to share his insights into developing trust in every environment by being a high-trust leader. George Dom George Dom, founder of the High-Trust Leadership Network, is a former naval officer and aviator with extensive leadership experience. He has served in ke...
2024-03-2054 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 118 Iterating Your Way to Great Leadership with Brian Walch Iteration is the key to lean thinking and especially to lean design and lean product development.  Brian Walch uses iteration to develop individual contributors into managers and managers into leaders. He joined me at the Edges of Lean to share his approach and how he has developed it independently of the Lean community.   Brian Walch   Brian Walch is a coach, consultant, and personal and professional development speaker. He started Shiftfocus Coaching and Consulting company to support managers and address the need for more great managers in the world. Brian has...
2024-03-1540 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 117Continuously Improving Leadership with DEI with Kevin Wayne Johnson Diversity, equity, and inclusion are words that have become politically charged. Kevin Wayne Johnson is a student of leadership and a leadership coach.  He believes that DEI is a core component of great leadership and that all organizations benefit from leaders who value diversity, understand equity, and practice inclusion.  To me, what he says resonates with the core principles of lean leadership. He joined me at the Edges of Lean to share his experience and his insights with us.      Kevin Wayne Johnson   Kevin Wayne Johnson, Founder and CEO of The Joh...
2024-03-0138 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 116 The Courage to Deliver Transformation   Have you ever realized that in order to grow you need to step out into the unknown and do things you have never done before? Beate Chelette says that those times in your life and your career are necessary for growth and transformation – and that there are ways to navigate through them as a leader and as a human. She joined me at the Edges of Lean to talk about the courage to deliver transformation.    Beate Chelette     Beate Chelette is the Growth Architect and founder of The Women's...
2024-02-2148 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 115 Learning from Mistakes with Mark Graban  I wish I was perfect! Wouldn’t it be great to simply not make any mistakes? In the practice of Lean, we try to mistake-proof our processes and build on our previous learnings to prevent mistakes. And yet, we know that we learn so much from mistakes, and Mark Graban has been exploring with different people how they have benefited from their mistakes. He joined me at the Edges of Lean to share his insight on what he has learned from those conversations and his new book, "The Mistakes that Make Us."   Ma...
2024-01-2647 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 114 Design for Six Sigma with Kris Stokes When I say there are many different flavors and styles of continuous improvement, Design for Six Sigma is the type of style and flavor variation I am thinking of. Product development is hard to achieve. It is also expensive, as almost every company has a graveyard of product development failures. Kris Stokes teaches organizations and people the principles of Design for Six Sigma, and he says that product development success takes rethinking many of our assumptions about what we know, how we know it, and most importantly, identifying our hidden assumptions. He joined me at the Edges...
2024-01-1545 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 113 The Qualities of a Lean Leader with Kathy Hadizadeh Here at the Edges of Lean, we've had a lot of conversations about leadership, with leaders who are practicing Lean and with leaders who are not Lean practitioners but are acknowledged as great leaders.  There have been so many incredible insights and tips to learn from.  However, I believe lean leadership differs from other types of leadership. Kathy Hadizadeh says that lean leaders need to bring their humanity to work with their teams, and she joined me at the Edges of Lean to share her insights.     Kathy Hadizadeh      Kathy Hadizade...
2023-12-2954 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 112 Continuous Improvement and Your Legacy with Jann Freed Continuous Improvement and Your Legacy with Jann Freed   Have you ever thought about your legacy? Jann Freed says that whether we think about it or not., we create our legacies daily. She has written a book about creating and leaving behind a powerful and meaningful legacy and joined me at the Edges of Lean to help us all be more intentional about the legacies we are creating. Her new book is Breadcrumb Legacy.   Jann Freed   Freed is a certified Sage-ing Leader, TEDx speaker, and adjunct pro...
2023-12-2144 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 111 Drawing Your Way to Continuous Improvement with Ashton Rodenhiser   As a lean leader, I have facilitated countless meetings and events. Truth be told, I am a messy and disorganized note-taker with dreadful handwriting! So, I have significant respect for the people who can record the work and results of a meeting in graphic form. Ashton Rodenhiser is an experienced graphic communicator, and she joined me at the Edges of Lean to share her story and give us some ideas about bringing more images into how we capture meetings.  Ashton Rodenhiser   Ashton Rodenhiser is a passionate creative entrepreneur advocating for...
2023-12-1446 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 110 Contiuously Improving the Feedback Cycle with Carole Stizza As lean leaders, we talk about feedback a lot. We know that feedback is important, and if you are like me, you crave it – so that we can improve! But let’s face it, it’s not always effective or helpful. Carole Stizza has researched the topic of feedback, and she says that there’s a lot to improve! She joined me at The Edges of Lean to share her insights.    Carole Stizza     Carole, an industrial organizational psychologist with a passion for leadership, has faced numerous challenges, including frequent relocations d...
2023-12-0746 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 109 Continuous Improvement and Your Core Values with Andrea Johnson   Do you know what your core values are? Have they changed during your life as you grew, gained experience, and broadened your perspectives? Some people are very clear about their core values, while others are not or wonder if they need re-examining. Johnson's work centers on supporting people, especially women, as they define and align with their core values. She joined me at The Edges of Lean to share her insights.   Andrea Johnson     Andrea Johnson is a coach and mentor who empowers executives and founders to lead auth...
2023-11-2840 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 108 Rapid Growth and the Power of Lean with Catherine Chabiron Catherine Chabiron is an expert in lean management and an author. She recently wrote a book called Learning to Scale at the Theodo Group, which describes how a company faced with dramatic growth used lean thinking to avoid what Catherine calls Big Company Disease. She joined me at the Edges of Lean to discuss what she learned when she went to the Gemba with this company and its founders.   Catherine Chabiron      Catherine is an accomplished Lean executive coach in France and plays a significant role in leading the Lean Serv...
2023-11-2243 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 107 Continuously Improving Your Conversations with Clients with Robert Indries Robert Indries started his career as an engineer and has taken that scientific and analytical approach into his successful entrepreneurial business career. The general belief is that engineers are not good at the people stuff, but Robert turns that idea on its head. I was curious how he used his learnings as he built his businesses to understand better how to help his clients. He joined me at the Edges of Lean to generously share his insights.   Robert Indries      Robert Indries, an entrepreneur and strategist, began his journey in a sm...
2023-11-0950 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 106 Continuously Improving Your Connection to Yourself with Katarina Polonska      When I coach and consult, I focus on my clients and their goals and needs. This raises an important question: where am I in that relationship? Katarina Polonska believes that coaching that is successful for the client requires the coach to be connected to herself and that doing so creates energy and strength for the coach. She joined me at the Edges of Lean to share her insights and how she helps her clients connect to themselves.    Katarina Polonska      Katarina Polonska is a transfor...
2023-10-2544 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 105 Continuously Improving Elections with Kerry L. Bass   I hope you are a voter! It is such an important civic responsibility. As a continuous improvement professional, have you ever thought about improving the election process to help make everyone confident that elections are secure and fair? Kerry L. Bass has. He is here to share his insight and tell us about some vital continuous improvement work happening in the US around our election process.    Kerry L Bass      Kerry Bass is the CEO and founder of Potential To Reality Consulting, specializing in organizational transformation, operational excellence, and ch...
2023-09-3044 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 104 Continuous Improvement and Spanning Leadership with Wanda WallaceEp   Success requires expertise, and today’s work world requires leaders to lead beyond their areas of personal skills. Wanda Wallace calls this “spanning” leadership, and she works with leaders to build their success in leading across functions and domains where they have little expertise. Wanda is the author of "You Can’t Know It All: Leading in the Age of Deep Expertise.” She joined me at the Edges of Lean to share her insights and discuss why spanning leadership is vital for lean leaders.  Wanda Wallace   Dr. Wanda T. Wallace is a renowned...
2023-09-1945 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 103 Continuous Improvement and Process Science with Sam Drauschak Sam Drauschak is a leader in Process Science – his work is to help organizations achieve maximum efficiency in business processes and energy flow. He has even developed a universal process mapping language adopted as the standard for multiple large enterprises globally. Sam joined me at the Edges of Lean to share his insights on process science in the digital age and life in an RV.  Sam Drauschak   Sam Drauschak is the Co-founder and Chief Process Scientist at Truvle, where he leads a team focused on reducing business waste through innovative tools, soft...
2023-09-0642 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 102 Continuous Improvement and the Passion for Art with Kevo   Kevo, a full-time artist who is also a painter, film, and theater producer, and art teacher, joins me here at The Edges of Lean to share his inspiring story of overcoming a troubled childhood, jail time, and a gunshot wound to pursue his passion for art. There is a lot to consider in this conversation for all of us in the continuous improvement world.   Kevo  Kevo, a native of Houston, Texas, is a multifaceted artist with a Master of Fine Arts degree. His creative endeavors encompass a wide range of mediums, incl...
2023-08-3045 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 101 Continuous Improvement and Hidden Disabilities with Katherine McCord   Katherine McCord was the little girl who played HR rather than princesses, and when other kids were selling lemonade, she sold shares in her imaginary "company". She even fired her mother when she was five years old. Katherine, a physically and neurodiverse woman, built her career on inclusive innovation in People Operations and HR Tech. She lives by the motto that difference is not a deficit and is here to share her insights on how lean practitioners can understand and support people with hidden disabilities.            Katherine McCord Katheri...
2023-08-1750 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 100 Continuous Improvement and Engineering the Life of Your Dreams with Zach White   Hey, this is The Edges of Lean’s 100th episode!  So I’m starting today with a message of gratitude to all of my listeners. Thank you for your support of the Edges of Lean! And if you are a listener who would like to tell your story on the Edges of Lean, reach out to me on LinkedIn!  Zach White is an engineer, like many lean and continuous improvement professionals. He is here to share his story of discovering that his technical engineering knowledge was insufficient to help him have a successful career...
2023-08-0847 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 99 Continuous Improvement and Dyslexia with Lois Letchford   When you work with your employees or clients, what assumptions are you making about their reading skills? If you are like me, you might assume that almost everyone you work with reads easily, but that is likely untrue. Lois Letchford joined me at the Edges of Lean to talk about her experience as the parent of a child with dyslexia and how lean thinkers can help to create success for adults with dyslexia. Lois Letchford has written a book about her experiences called “Reversed: A Memoir.” Lois Letchford    Lois Letchfo...
2023-07-2646 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 98 Continuous Improvement and Staying Flowcused with Stéfany Oliver An essential principle of lean thinking is “one-piece flow.” One way of looking at that is to focus on finishing what you start before you take on other tasks, whether building a car in a factory or managing paperwork.  But our lives constantly call us to multitask and take on more than we can complete, and as a result, we get overwhelmed.   Lean coach Stéfany Oliver has been studying how to overcome the feeling of overwhelm in our lives, and she has written a book to help us all!   Stéfany Oliver Stéfany is...
2023-07-2042 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 97 Continuous Improvement and Intentional Leadership with Shana Francesca I love to interview people with unusual career paths. Shana Francesca started her career as an interior designer. Her work in intentionally creating physical environments that supported people’s needs led her into coaching leaders in intentional leadership to build effective and efficient and healthy work environments. Let’s hear Shana’s story!   Shana Francesca   Shana Francesca is a sought-after speaker, writer, and the Founder & CEO of Concinnate LLC, a company focused on intentional leadership and life design. She has shared her message extensively, with over 90 podcast interviews worldwide and publ...
2023-07-1240 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 96 Continuous Improvement and the Japanese Abacus with Sensei Miwako   Miwako Bukres has taken the honorific “sensei" – teacher. She is not a lean sensei but a beloved teacher of the Japanese abacus. She’s here to tell us what we can learn about Japanese culture by developing the practices of learning from failure and discipline and encouraging clear analytical thinking using the ancient Japanese practice of doing math on the abacus.   Sensei Miwako Miwako, affectionately known as Sensei (Japanese for teacher), grew up in Japan, where she developed a deep connection with the abacus at a young age. She began tr...
2023-07-0646 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 95 Continuous Improvement and Perfect Attendance with Harriet Stein   Harriet Stein would like us to pay attention.  Paying attention is an absolute necessity for lean practitioners – but it is not something we all find easy – or even know how to start practicing.  Harriet kindly spent some time with me at the Edges of Lean explaining how to build our attentiveness skills and why improving them can improve our lean practices and our quality of life. Harriet is the author of “Perfect Attendance: Being Present for Life. Experience her delightful and captivating perspective on this topic. Don't miss it!   Harriet St...
2023-06-1448 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 94 Continuous Improvement and Raising Consciousness with Catherine Llewellyn  Catherine Llewellyn is a humanistic psychologist who coaches and consults with business leaders who want to "go up a level" whether that is personally or in their business. I spoke with Catherine here at the Edges of Lean to learn what humanistic psychology is and how she helps these leaders raise their consciousness and reach their next level. She delves into the challenges faced by individuals in organizations when generating new ideas.  Catherine Llewellyn Catherine Llewellyn is a Master Humanistic Psychologist who founded Yes You Now in 2020 to help high achievers ac...
2023-05-2245 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 93 Continuously Improving Your Voice with John Henny   Do you like your voice? Does your voice help you to get your message across? How do you take care of your voice? John Henny is a voice coach who works with speakers to help them use their voices to be more compelling and influential, and he is here at The Edges of Lean to give us methods and tips for being better users and caretakers of our great voices.    John Henny John Henny is a highly experienced voice coach who has helped thousands of people improve their communication ski...
2023-05-1142 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanWp 92 Continuous Improvement and Getting Published with Karl Beckstrand   Are you thinking of writing a book? Did you write a book? Are you wondering about getting your book out in the world? College media instructor Karl W. Beckstrand is the best-selling author/illustrator of twenty-seven multicultural/multilingual books. He is here at the Edges of Lean to help us take advantage of his lessons learned with writing and publishing.   Karl Beckstrand   Karl Beckstrand is a college media professor and the founder of Premio Publishing, which has over 200 multicultural offerings. He values cultural diversity and collaborates with ill...
2023-05-0341 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 91 Continuous Improvement and Scalability with Brad Eisenberg   Brad Eisenberg of BE Lean is a scalability consultant with over 15 years of experience as a Founder, COO, and consultant. He works with growing businesses that are at the point where everything that used to be fun and easy has become messy and complex. Brad is here at the Edges of Lean to help us understand what scalability is and the relationship between scalability, lean, and seeing things as they really are.   Brad Eisenberg   Brad led greeNEWit as its COO and is also the founder of...
2023-04-2647 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 90 Continuous Improvement and the Most Important Goal with Jim Gitney   Jim Gitney has been coaching and consulting for decades and, over the years, has seen many strategies fail because of poor execution. He knew there had to be a better way to bridge strategy and results. He developed the Business Hierarchy of Needs to clearly show how to make the decisions that lead to excellent execution of strategy. Let’s hear Jim’s approach from him and discuss how it relates to lean and continuous improvement approaches.   Jim Gitney   Jim Gitney is an experienced strategy, operations, and supply...
2023-04-1253 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 89 Continuous Improvement with Games! with Alexandra SuchmanIf you are a continuous improvement professional, you probably use some games in the training you deliver – maybe as an ice-breaker or perhaps as a simulation to teach a tool. But have you ever wondered how far you can take game-playing to build a team or create a culture? Alex is a woman on a mission to transform workplaces from the inside out. She has been playing around with games that create fun and meaningful learning experiences for years. Are you ready to hear some juicy insights on gaming in the workplace? Don't miss her unique and engaging take on...
2023-04-0541 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 88 Continuous Improvement and Intelligent Automation with Lauren HiseyThe bots are here, and lean and continuous improvement practitioners see that organizations are eager to take advantage of the capabilities of artificial intelligence – or my guest Lauren Hisey calls it, intelligent automation. Lauren is here to demystify AI and share how continuous improvers can make peace with it – and use it effectively in improvement work. And, we are going to hear about her 100 Lunches project. Lauren embraces and overcomes the challenges that other people prefer to avoid. She has an immense passion for continuous improvement and loves to show others how to use it effectively in their businesses and...
2023-03-3143 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 87 Continuously Improving Your Knowledge Management with Dr. Cindy YoungEvery time we use our lean practices to define and solve a problem, we create knowledge.  How can we improve our organizational recognition and management of all that newly created knowledge – which is key to not having the same problem occur again?  It turns out that knowledge management itself requires a process and continuous improvement and Dr. Cindy Young is here to share her insights. Cindy is the Founder/CEO of CJ Young Consulting, LLC, a knowledge management consulting firm, and Curriculum Development and Training Lead with Leidos in Virginia Beach after retiring as a Surface Warfare Offic...
2023-03-2243 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 86 Continuous Improvement and Compassionate Coaching with Erin Whalen Erin Whalen is a coach whose practice is focused on serving the people who work with the grieving and dying: bereavement professionals who need perhaps more than anyone to be seen, heard, and supported. Erin comes to coaching through the path of acting and the art of improvisation. She utilizes the tools she's learned through her artistic experience to help “fill the cups” of her clients and provide them with the communication skills they need to succeed. Erin's passion for coaching shines through her work, and her innovative approach to communication skills training makes her a leader in t...
2023-03-1541 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 85 Continuous Improvement and Coaching Leaders with Kyle Gillette Kyle Gillette is a leadership coach.  He coaches business leaders – but not all his clients wear a white collar and work in offices. Kyle works with leaders and aspiring leaders from all walks of life with a special focus on what we sometimes call “blue-collar” work.  Kyle’s career path has taken him from men's mentoring to pet resorts, to HR, and running a successful personal training business. In every role, helping people reach their human potential through the power of mindset has always been his path. Kyle’s insights are valuable to all of us in the continuo...
2023-03-0847 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 84 Continuous Improvement and the Artist Inside with Elisabeth SwanElisabeth Swan just wrote a book – which is not surprising because she’s done it before, but this one is different. This time Elisabeth wrote and illustrated the book – in fact the illustrations are what communicate the great ideas she is sharing.   And Elisabeth, consultant, teacher, writer, is adding “artist” to her resume. In addition, she has an English degree and is a consultant in the operational excellence world. She believes that her background in English translates to being a translator and a storyteller. This has influenced the work she does in helping people understand and enjoy difficult to...
2023-03-0139 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 83 Continuously Improving Your Employees’ Experiences with Lori-Ann Duguay Lori-Ann Duguay worked in government for two decades – and it was there she says that she learned how NOT to treat employees. Now she works with organizations to help them create happier more effective workplaces by focusing on the employee experience as a process that can and should be continuously improved.  Lori-Ann joined me to share her experiences and insights. Lori-Ann Duguay Lori-Ann Duguay helps companies become that highly-sought after employer where people want to work, stay and thrive! After working 21 years in government in various roles, she realized she had become a ten...
2023-01-1141 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 82 Continuously Improving Culture for Everyone with Chris Lalomia   One of the big challenges of continuous improvement is that different kinds of workers have very different expectations for their own professionalism, customer service, and how their management should behave.  Chris Lalomia ran into this when he made career moves from engineering to financial services, and then to entrepreneurship in the home repair business.  He’s here to share how he made those transitions, and what he has learned about building a culture for continuous improvement with different types of workers.  
2023-01-0441 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 81 Continuous Improvement and Women In Tech with Limor Bergman Gross   It’s 2022 – well it’s almost 2023, and women in technology are not unusual – but there’s still plenty of female talent not taking part or staying in the tech sector.  Limor Bergman Gross has time-tested tips on how to succeed as a woman in tech – and how to be a great sponsor of women in tech. Meet Limor, a revolutionary thinker whose valuable insights help empower women in lean. She is making an impact on how women look at success in the tech world! Limor Bergman Gross   Limor Bergman G...
2022-12-2841 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 80 Continuous Improvement and the Root Causes of Burnout with Mohamed Saleh       I hear it every day: “It’s the great resignation.” “People don’t want to work any more!”  People are exhausted and burned out – especially in healthcare, and in many other workplaces as well.  Mohamed Saleh knows what it takes to address the root causes of burnout.  He is here to share his insights.  This is a great episode to watch on YouTube, so you can see Mohamed’s slides, but if you listen instead, we are going to describe the visual component for you, and the slides are posted with these show notes.
2022-12-211h 12The Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 79 Continuously Improving Your Cybersecurity with Karla Reffold There’s a crime wave out there  - a cyber crimewave– and Karla Reffold is helping companies overcome the continuously changing challenges of cybersecurity. Karla started out in HR, and now is a leader in cybersecurity – her story of leadership, flexibility and innovation is inspiring for all continuous improvers. Let's hear Karla share her thoughts and insights! We can't wait to hear what this powerful voice has in store. Karla Reffold Karla helps organizations innovate, transform and achieve their potential. Focused on operations, marketing, and sales, she understands the need to drive p...
2022-12-1433 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 78 Continuous Improvement, Wisdom and Compassion with Wendy NashWendy Nash coaches people with meditation. She joined me to share how to make meditation part of your daily practice. Her approach is beautifully aligned with the reflection that is intrinsic to lean thinking and can help us develop our “respect for people” mindset. One note: We had some internet challenges as we were recording this podcast, and you might notice a little interference.  Let’s hear what Wendy has to say. Wendy Nash Wendy Nash holds a four-year somatic psychotherapy degree. She has been practicing loving-kindness and other meditations for about 20 years, and her honors thesis for her...
2022-12-0752 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 77 The Continuous Improvement Conversion Experience with Tom HughesTom Hughes was an expert in lean and continuous improvement. He knew it all, and frankly found it somewhat boring. But one day, his opinion completely changed, and he became a self-described overnight lean maniac. Now, you would be hard-pressed to find someone more excited than Tom who has now written a book called “Improvement Starts with I: A Practical Guide to Building an Extraordinary Lean culture.” So what happened? He’s here to tell us!  The Book Website  https://improvementstartswithi.com/   GembaDocs Software (give it a go yourself!) 30 day free trial...
2022-11-301h 01The Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 76 Continuous Improvement and Generational Trauma with Elena Perella As a continuous improvement leader, you know the importance of “Respect for People,” and that “Respect for People” includes understanding and respecting yourself. How might you do that when you are dealing with the effects of generational trauma? Elena Perella has personal experience overcoming generational trauma and using that experience to help high achievers free themselves to meet their potential.  She is here to tell us about that.  Elena Perella Elana Perella is a personal coach, life coach, and speaker with over 13 years of coaching experience. She has two master's degrees with a focus on a...
2022-11-2344 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 75 Continuous Improvement and Couples Coaching with Dr. Robin BuckleyEpisode 75 Continuous Improvement and Couples Coaching, with Dr. Robin Buckley If you are a coach, have you ever thought about the family relationships of your clients? If you have a coach, how does your coaching experience engage your family relationships? How might a couple benefit from engaging in coaching together? And how is that different from couple therapy? Dr. Robin Buckley specializes in executive coaching, which includes executive couples. I invited her to tell us about her approach. Dr. Robin Buckley Dr. Robin Buckley, CPC, helps high-achieving individuals thrive in their...
2022-11-1644 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 74 Continuous Improvement and Why Tools are Not Enough, with Martina Kuhlmeyer Continuous Improvement and Why Tools are Not Enough, with Martina Kuhlmeyer Martina Kuhlmeyer has an impeccable lean background, including a Master Blackbelt certification from GE.  So why is she not focused on lean tools these days? Let’s hear her tell the story about how she learned that tools were not enough.   Martina Kuhlmeyer Martina Kuhlmeyer is the Founder of Power Up Your Team. As an Executive Coach, she is helping CEOs and Founders build a more resilient team so they can grow their businesses with confidence and ease. Before becoming an entrep...
2022-11-0940 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 73 Continuous Improvement and Finding Meaning at Work with Kevin HerringKevin Herring specializes in business turnarounds – helping organizations create high-performing teams.  His interest in how humans thrive in a workplace started all the way back in college – not in a class but at a summer job. A job that he considered one of the most boring on earth turned out to be fascinating with a self-directed team. This job gave him a completely different idea about organizational culture and what a committed team really looks like.   Kevin Herring  Kevin Herring is a recognized expert in team and business unit turnarounds and the creator of the...
2022-11-0249 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 72 Continuously Improving a Culture for Innovation with Norbert Majerus  Do you think there are differences between a lean culture and a culture for lean innovation? Norbert Majerus loved being an engineer in part because he was better with numbers than with people. But when Norbert was entrusted with leading the lean innovation transformation at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, he had to build his skills with people. He’s written a new book that shines a light on the human side of a lean innovation culture and what leaders need to learn about themselves to drive positive culture change. He joined me to tell his sto...
2022-10-2642 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 71 Continuous Improvement and Agile Communication with Katja SchleicherSome compelling features of agile product development are flexibility and resilience. An agile project can deal with problems and new learning and pivot to take advantage of that new learning. My guest, Katja Schleicher has insights about how to apply those agile principles of flexibility and resilience to communication. We can all benefit from better communication, so check out our fascinating conversation! Katja Schleicher is a sought-after Communications Expert Trainer and keynote speaker.  She gets managers, teams, women, and men to talk - and improves their communicative impact in Public Speeches, conversations, and media interviews. Words, what t...
2022-10-1945 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 70 Continuous Improvement and Empathy with Anjani MahabashyaDr. Anjani Mahabashya had a childhood dream to be a doctor. She achieved her dream and got her dream job working in a premier medical center. Everything came crashing down the day she had a devastating fall. She is here to share what she learned about empathy, and why empathetic leaders matter when employees are at their most vulnerable. This is a story that all Continuous Improvement leaders who are working to build the habit of “Respect for People” should hear.   Anjani talks about her work in healthcare and her focus on improving the system for p...
2022-10-1247 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 69 Continuously Improving Your LinkedIn Profile with Daniel Alfon   Continuously Improving Your LinkedIn Profile with Daniel Alfon When I first created my LinkedIn account, I added my name, and a nice picture and uploaded my resume.  It turns out, for those of us who work as consultants and coaches, those resumes on LinkedIn don’t do much to help us connect with clients.  Daniel Alfon is a LinkedIn expert, and he blew my mind with his insights in this conversation. Note: I updated my LinkedIn page live as we recorded the show. So, for the full effect, check out this episode on YouTu...
2022-10-0546 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 68 Continuously Improving your SEO with Brandon Leibowitz Do you have a website? If you're like me and have a website (like I have at leanforhumans.com), you know that you need to work on your search engine optimization (SEO). And if you're like me and most others, how to do that can be a complete mystery. Brandon Leibowitz says that we should all get as much free real estate on search engines as possible and that it's not all that mysterious. SEO is just another thing to continuously improve. But you need to know how search engines themselves continuously optimize. He's here to explain...
2022-09-2841 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 67 Continuous Improvement and Task Balancing with Kevin GazzaraOne of the secrets of getting to “flow” in a work process is to “level the load.“ Not overburdening the process and managing the natural volatility of inputs has a remarkable effect on productivity.  My guest, Kevin Gazzara, has insights into how to do this in our brains.  Check out our fascinating conversation! Kevin has an undergraduate degree in engineering and business and completed his MBA and doctoral work in Organizational Leadership. Kevin then moved to the technical side when he worked for Transamerica Corporation. He also worked at Intel for 18 years as an Operations Manager an...
2022-09-2158 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 66 Continuous Improvement and Becoming a Coach with Sam MorganThe role of a good coach in continuous improvement is a key to CI success. At some point, we all need to step into the role of a coach whether as a leader, a professional coach, or simply coaching others in our day-to-day interactions.  Sam Morgan has been developing his coaching skills but had to overcome many obstacles to become a confident coach. I invited Sam back to the Edges of Lean to talk about his growth as a coach and what he has learned as he gains experience and expertise as a coach. About S...
2022-09-1442 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 65 Continuous Improvement and Crowdsourcing Great Decisions with Soushiant Zangenahpour In Lean, we know the value of getting ideas from the people who are doing the work, especially when it comes to ideas for improvement. But what happens when your organization feels like it is too big to get ideas from everyone effectively? What if you're just too far away? Soushiant Zanganehpour is a social scientist and an entrepreneur, and he is the founder and CEO of Swae, a platform for crowdsourcing innovation, and making inclusive decisions powered by artificial intelligence. Let's hear what he has to say.   About Soushiant Zanganehpour  ...
2022-09-0746 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 64 Continuously Improving Your Cognitive Functions with ST RappaportPracticing Lean changes your brain. Do you agree? I know for me, repeating the patterns of the Plan-Do-Check-Act, or the pattern of the improvement kata, and because of using and adapting lean tools, I think very differently from the way I used to think.  This conversation with ST Rappaport illuminated what cognitive functions we are improving when we practice Lean thinking, and why that practice works. I think you will be as fascinated as I was when you meet her.     About ST RAPPAPORT   ST is a productivity coach, who like many peopl...
2022-08-3142 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 63 Continuous Improvement and the CFO Who Didn’t like Math with Kevin PalmieriIn continuous improvement, we love our numbers. Data is the bedrock of knowing what our current situation is, and whether we are improving. Kevin Palmieri is the CFO, Founder & Co-Host of Next Level University, a Global Top 100 Self-Improvement podcast with more than 1000 episodes reaching over half a million people in more than 125 countries. Kevin and his business partner are all about helping people to continuously improve – and Kevin started out not really being a numbers guy.  But he changed his mind. Let’s hear how it happened.  Kevin Palmieri Kevin is the Founder, CFO & Host of the...
2022-08-2444 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 62 Continuous Improvement and Brain Injury Recovery with Kaj SmitKaj Smit was a typical student with a typical life – until the day he woke up in a hospital and learned he had suffered two brain hemorrhages.  Physically he had to start over again and mentally he was in a very dark place. What does it take to recover from something like this? And what did Kaj learn that continuous improvers should take to heart? Just a note before we get started: we will be discussing suicidal thoughts.  If you or a loved one are considering suicide, the number to call for help and support in the US is 988, and...
2022-08-1750 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 61 Continuously Improving Prioritization with Adam WalkerToday we're talking about knowing your priorities and achieving your goals. So often we get bogged down in the day-to-day, and we lose sight of what's important to us. In this episode, we're going to talk about how to identify your priorities and how to plan to achieve your goals with Adam J. Walker.    Adam Walker  Husband, Father of six, Wearer of fedoras, Nonprofit co-founder & CMO, Co-founder of TogetherLetters, a collaborative newsletter service for groups to share without using social media. He is also a co-host of Tech Talk Y'all, a self-proclaimed tech com...
2022-08-1038 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 60 Continuous Improvement and the Art of Business with Fiona ValentineIn this episode, Fiona Valentine joined me. We've talked a lot about what continuous improvers can learn from artists, and about how and why we can’t practice continuous improvement without building our skills for creativity.  Fiona Valentine is an artist, who works right at that important intersection of art, creativity, and business.   She helps artists learn how to sell their art – and she helps businesspeople tap into their creativity.  And she knows a thing or two about lean thinking as well! Fiona Valentine  Fiona Valentine paints the beauty and joy she finds in nature, hosts Th...
2022-08-0341 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 59 Continuous Improvement and Remote Work Success with Mari Anne SnowRemote work: it's here to stay, and that impacts everything! For many remote workers, it’s still something new. But for Mari Anne Snow, who is the author of the soon-to-be-released “Remote Work Handbook," remote work has been her area of expertise for more than 20 years. That's how long she has been leading remote teams and continuously improving how to operationalize remote work. Mari Anne is the CEO and founder of Sophaya, and the Remote Nation Institute (RNI), Tune in to this episode to learn more about how to handle a team in a remote work environment.  Mari...
2022-07-2746 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 58 Continuous Improvement and Lookism with Kathryn McIver  What does a PhD candidate look like? What does a “Lean Six Sigma expert" look like? How about a CEO? My guest Kathryn McIver wants you to know why how we look impacts our opportunities. So, she changed the topic of her PhD dissertation to research lookism. She's here to share her research. Dr. Kathryn McIver  Dr. Kathryn McIver is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and earned her doctorate from the University of Maryland where she studied the impacts of appearance on women’s careers. Prior to shifting into operations management, McIver...
2022-07-2051 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 57 Continuous Improvement and Designing a Remote Workplace Culture with Gustavo RazzettiWhere do we work? It is one of the biggest questions facing leaders today. It doesn't look like employees are flocking back to offices, and remote and hybrid work sure seem like they're here to stay. Does that mean we can't have the culture we want? In his book “Remote, Not Distant” Gustavo Razzetti argues leaders can design a culture for remote work. And by the way, that includes a Lean culture - so tune in.   Gustavo Razzetti Gustavo Razzetti is the CEO and founder of Fearless Culture, a culture design consultancy that helps...
2022-07-1344 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 56 Continuous Improvement and What’s Missing from your Continuous Improvement Training with Amita SherwoodMany of us start our continuous improvement learning in a training class. And many of us deliver CI training. How effective is that training? Does it prepare us to lead improvement?  Some training programs are more successful than others in preparing people for the real world. One way to measure the effectiveness of a training program is to look at the outcomes. Amita Sherwood joined me today to talk about what’s missing from your continuous improvement training and share her insights on making training much more effective.    Amita Sherwood Amita Sherwood is a cer...
2022-07-0645 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 55 Continuous Improvement and Cancer Support with Kim HamerAs a lean leader, you take "Respect for People" very seriously.  What happens when one of your colleagues, team members or employees is going through a serious illness like cancer? How should you demonstrate "Respect for People?" And what should you not say?  Kim Hamer joined me to share her insights and learnings from her husband's journey with cancer, so tune in   Kim Hamer On April 16, 2009, Kim Hamer watched her 44-yr-old husband take his last breath. During his illness and after his death, she was amazed by the helpful ways their coworkers, bosses, fri...
2022-06-2956 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 54 Continuous Improvement in the Growing Organization with Marco Koeniger  It’s an odd thing to say, but one of the worst things that can happen to your business is to grow too fast! Marco Koeniger just happened to be in the right business at the right time, when he was suddenly faced with explosive growth.  What helped him lead successfully? His Green Belt training. Listen to hear the story!   Marco Koeniger Marco is a young professional who has been working in different leadership positions for more than 4 years now. He is experienced in recruiting and coaching loyal team players who are w...
2022-06-2239 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 53 Continuously Improving Your Great Presentations with Brenden KumarasamyDo you hate get up to speak in front of people? Do you have to do it achieve your goals? Brenden Kumarasamy knows just how you fell, and he is ready to help! Brenden joins me for some surprising tips on how to not only get comfortable - but maybe even enjoy speaking in public. Brenden Kumarasamy Brenden is the founder of MasterTalk, where he coaches ambitious executives & entrepreneurs to become top 1% communicators in their industry. He also has a popular YouTube channel called MasterTalk, with the goal of providing free access to communication tools...
2022-06-1641 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 52 Continuously Improving Leadership with Dr. William AttawayHere at the Edges of Lean, one of my great pleasures is learning from people who practice lean thinking, but who don't think of themselves as lean practitioners. William Attaway is one of those people. In lean, we know how vital leadership is.  William joined me to talk about how we all can be better leaders, how to continually improve our leadership, and why  coaching is the best way to improve our leadership skills . William Attaway William Attaway is a Leadership Coach for Catalytic Leadership, LLC, a company he founded to help leaders to...
2022-06-0943 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEpisode 51 Continuous Improvement and the Smart of Art with Michaell MagrutscheMichaell Magrutsche thinks that systems get in the way of our humanity.  I believe that (good) systems are necessary for humanity to thrive.  I thought a conversation was in order!   Michaell Magrutsche Michaell is a California Multimedia Artist, writer, advisor born in Vienna-Austria, Magrutsche’s visual work has been coined Liminal Hard Edge, Reductive Pop and Antidepressant.    Key Topics in this podcast: Michaell’s career background What does it feel like to be a person that doesn't fit the system? Chaos theory painting explained The difference between knowledge and wisdo...
2022-06-0150 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEpisode 50 Continuous Improvement and Root Goal Analysis with Gregory Offner. A leader is the one who steers the ship in the right direction. Direction setting is not easy - and Greg Offner has applied the benefits of root cause analysis to help leaders explore goals: Greg joins me to share this approach Root GOAL Analysis) and to talk about how it benefits lean leadership and a lean culture. He also discussed why coaching leaders is important, so tune in!  Gregory Offner Gregory Offner is one of the most in-demand experts on the topic of professional performance, and navigating disruption. His clients include Fortune 100 companies, and h...
2022-05-2543 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 49 Continuous Improvement and Knowledge Management with Clark Shah-NelsonWhatever form of continuous improvement you practice, it's all about learning through experimentation. But once you've learned something, what happens to that knowledge? Clark Shah-Nelson joined me today to talk about knowledge management, why it is essential for organizations, and how to get started managing knowledge. Clark Shah-Nelson Dr. Shah-Nelson has taught, designed & led award-winning virtual, online, instructional design and distance learning teams; supported end user and learning management platform implementation and led teams for training, professional development and project management. Recently published articles include human resource management of virtual teams and collaborative tools for...
2022-05-1843 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 48 Continuous Improvement and Engaging Leadership with Rebecca SnellingEveryone "knows" that you can't deploy lean without engaged leadership.  So, just how do you get leadership engaged? Rebecca Snelling shares her insights at The Edges of Lean.   Rebecca Snelling, owner of RS Consulting, coaches people, teams and organizations on Leadership and Lean Transformation with an emphasis on advancing culture. She is active in the Design and Construction industry, speaking at various industry events across the US and abroad. Rebecca also serves on the Boards of Directors for the Lean Construction Institute (LCI) and the Center for Innovation in the Design and Construction Industry (CIDCI).
2022-05-1144 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 47 Continuous Improvement and Finding Your Givers with EA Csolkovits  EA Csolkovits joins me today to talk about his life experiences and how they've molded him into the person he is today. He also talks about the Givers University he founded, which is helping people from all walks of life to achieve their dreams. And we find out what a "Giver" is and how to find yours.   EA CSOLKOVITS E.A. was born in 1956 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of a milkman (not everyone will remember what a milkman was!) At age 16, he started his business career selling janitorial services to bu...
2022-05-0447 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 46 Continuous Improvement and the End of Boring PowerPoint with Betsy LawsonHow many PowerPoint presentations have you seen? How many have put you to sleep? Betsy Lawson joins me to talk about how to end boring PowerPoint presentations and have engaging and fun training Listen in to this episode and learn how the stories you know by heart can help your trainees remember more and have more fun.   BETTY LAWSON  Betsy Lawson specializes in Lean edutainment for the workplace. She is a Performance Improvement Coach at Augusta Health, has a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, an ATD Training Certificate and a Masters of Urban an...
2022-04-2735 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEp 45 Continuous improvement and Radical Innovation with Heather JohnsonInnovation is the key driver of continued organizational success. In this episode, Dr. Heather Johnson joins me to discuss radical innovation and its connection to lean innovation. Dr. Johnson is an expert on innovation, and her insights will help all organizations looking to improve their innovation process.   HEATHER JOHNSON Dr. Heather Johnson is a scientist, an engineer, and a radical innovation scholar-practitioner with a doctoral degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She also has a master’s in quality management with a focus in engineering & technology from Eastern Michigan University. Dr. Hea...
2022-04-2042 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEpisode 44 Continuous Improvement and Coaching Introverts with Jenny TohDid you know that 25 to 40 percent of the people you meet are introverts? Jenny Toh joins me today to talk about coaching introverts, how to coach if you are introvert, why managers need coaching and the future of coaching. Jenny is an expert in coaching introverts and extroverts and helping her clients to find their voice. She believes that empathy is key when coaching introverts, as it helps them to understand that their experiences are valid. It's also important for managers to give feedback that is tailored to the individual’s introversion or extroversion style. JE...
2022-04-1343 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEpisode 43 Continuous Improvement and the Connection with Agile with Samuel Gregory   The connection between Lean and Agile is widely misunderstood. In this podcast we will answer all your questions about these two different approaches. Join us as Samuel Gregory explains when an agile approach is needed and what's really behind the word.     SAMUEL GREGORY Samuel Gregory is the founder of Jupiter and the Giraffe, a website design consultancy as well as hosting the weekly That Tech Show Podcast. During his time Samuel has helped world-class tech companies like Netflix and Corning as well as Conde Nast build engaging and experiential websites, working as both an engineer, leveraging his experience coding...
2022-04-0645 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEpisode 42 Continuous Improvement and Character with Brad SmithIf you want to be an effective leader, then character is key. Skills and knowledge are necessary, but self-knowledge and clarity on core values are what separate the great leaders from the rest of the pack. Brad Smith joined me to talk about how constant self-improvement of our own character can help us help other leaders to have a better leadership style.   BRAD SMITH Stellar Insight founder, Brad Smith has spent over 20 years helping companies pursue growth and excellence through coaching, consulting, facilitation, and strategic planning.   CONNECT WITH BRAD...
2022-03-3036 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEpisode 41 Continuous Improvement and Franchising with Steve TaylorMany small businesses are franchises.  What is franchising, and how can lean thinking improve franchised businesses? Or Steve Taylor and I delve into the franchise world in this episode of the The Edges of Lean.   STEVE TAYLOR Steve Taylor has an extensive background working in large businesses and small, in both sales and operations roles.  In addition, he has owned and been partners in several business ventures and is passionate about spreading the "gospel of small business".  He lives in Northern California with his wife and three children. CONNECT WITH STEVE
2022-03-2339 minThe Edges of Lean
The Edges of LeanEpisode 40 Continuous Improvement and Leading Change with Art BierschbachThe need for change is an inevitable part of life today and change demands leadership.  Art Bierschbach joins me today; he's been working on leading change his whole career! We'll discuss diverse types of leadership and what they mean when it comes time to lead change of every kind – whether in environment, culture, or a physical change. A successful leader can't just hope that things will go smoothly; there must be planning, and leaders must set direction.   ART BIERSHBACH Art is the Principal Consultant with BtenConsulting, LLC. Art’s passion is to hel...
2022-03-1845 min