Shows
Chasing SigmaEngineering Excellence: From Process to People with Dr. Daniel Bumblauskas | CS 9In this episode of Chasing Sigma, Chaz and Randy welcome Dr. Daniel Bumblauskas. He is an operations expert, systems thinker, and sought-after professor at Drury University and the University of Missouri.From shop floors to classrooms, Dr. B has helped leaders apply Lean Six Sigma and operational clarity to create real impact. But for him, it’s not just about tools—it’s about serving people well through thoughtful systems and clear leadership.You’ll hear:✅ How Dr. B teaches operational excellence without overwhelming people✅ Why empathy and accountability both matter in leadership✅ How to earn buy-in...2025-06-1640 minChasing SigmaFrom Olive Garden to Outer Space: What Systems Teach Us About Excellence with Jeff Leach | CS 8You might not expect a NASA systems engineer to credit Olive Garden with shaping his approach to excellence—but that’s exactly what Jeff does. In this episode of Chasing Sigma, Randy & Chaz sit down with Jeff Leach, a software systems engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, to talk about what it means to build processes that don’t just work—they endure. From coordinating deep-space communication systems to leading teams and raising kids, Jeff shares how systems thinking isn’t just for space missions—it’s for life.You’ll hear:Why early dou...2025-06-0445 minChasing SigmaIt’s Not a Line, It’s a Circle: Building Habits of Excellence | CS 7Most people think growth is linear—like crossing a finish line. But real excellence? It’s a circle. It’s the habit of coming back to what matters, again and again.In this episode of Chasing Sigma, Chaz and Randy explore how sustained excellence is built through attention to small details, repeatable processes, and the willingness to improve even when no one’s watching. With stories from Michelin-starred restaurants to Walt Disney’s Imagineers, this episode challenges us to care about the things people feel—even if they don’t always see.You’ll learn:✅ W...2025-05-2033 minChasing SigmaGrab Your Grappling Hook: Measuring What Matters Most | CS 6Scaling the wall of complexity takes more than effort—it takes the right tools.In this episode of Chasing Sigma, Chaz and Randy introduce the metaphor of a grappling hook as a guide for measuring what matters most in your organization. Through everyday stories (gas gauges, Payless shoes, half-marathons) and practical tools (CTQs, SIPOC, data scales), they reveal how to track what truly drives impact—not just activity.🔧 In this episode:The difference between reports and measures (and why it matters)How to identify your Critical to Quality processesWhat SI...2025-05-0640 minChasing SigmaStart Where You Are: Tools, Standards & The Path to Better | CS 5You don’t need to have it all figured out—you just need to know where to begin.In this reflective and tool-packed episode of Chasing Sigma, Chaz and Randy step back to recap the key lessons from the first four episodes and build on them with deeper insight. They explore how to start using powerful tools like RACI, SIPOC, and Value Stream Maps—even if you're not an expert yet. The big idea? Start where you are. Grow as you go.🔧 You’ll learn:✅ How to build with tools—even before you're a master✅ The differ...2025-04-2240 minChasing SigmaDriving Unity, Not Defection: Tools for Building High-Performance Teams | CS 4What do you do when your team isn’t clicking? When roles blur, responsibilities are unclear, and unity starts to fray?In this episode of Chasing Sigma, Chaz Robbins and Randy Hiser explore why disunity often stems not from bad people—but from unclear processes. They break down how to build alignment and clarity using practical tools that empower teams to thrive.You’ll learn:✅ Why technology alone doesn’t unify teams✅ The tension between “form and frenzy” on high-performing teams✅ How to use tools like the RACI matrix and SIPOC to bring str...2025-04-0734 minChasing SigmaUnlocking Efficiency: What Little’s Law Can Teach Us | CS 3We all operate within systems—whether in business, leadership, or life. But what happens when bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and wasted time slow us down?Enter Little’s Law, a powerful principle that helps us understand how time, process, and efficiency are connected.In this episode of Chasing Sigma, Chaz Robbins & Randy Hiser break it down:✅ What is Little’s Law? The surprising math behind efficiency✅ Why time is the real currency of improvement—and how to use it wisely✅ Value-Added vs. Non-Value-Added Work—How to cut out the waste✅ How this law applies everywhere...2025-03-1840 minChasing SigmaHitting the Wall: Why We Struggle & How to Break Through | CS 2At some point, we all hit a wall—in business, leadership, and life. The question is: What do you do when progress stalls? Do you power through, find a way around, or rethink your approach?In this episode of Chasing Sigma, Randy Hiser & Chaz Robbins explore:✅ How to recognize the real problem when facing roadblocks✅ The ADKAR model and how awareness shapes problem-solving✅ Why it’s not about “who’s right” but “what’s right” in decision-making✅ Tactical vs. strategic thinking—and how to know what’s needed✅ Why leadership alignm...2025-03-1837 minChasing SigmaWhat Is Sigma? The Standard That Changes Everything | CS 1What does it mean to chase Sigma? In our very first episode, we unpack the mindset behind continuous improvement, leadership, and problem-solving—whether in business, personal growth, or the systems we navigate daily.Hosts Randy Hiser & Chaz Robbins discuss:✅ The real meaning of Sigma and why it matters in everything we do.✅ Why we're all chasing a standard, whether we realize it or not.✅ How process improvement & leadership principles apply beyond manufacturing.✅ The inner drive for excellence—and how to make it sustainable. If you’re a leader, entrepreneur...2025-03-1430 min