This week’s guest is Annette Johnston. Ron and Annette discussed project management, the role project managers play in decision making, what habits a good project manager should have, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn: The quote Annette likes (3:02) Her background (4:47) What…

This week’s guest is Bill Krolicki. Ron and Bill discussed data analytics, automation, the PDCA cycle, knowing if you’re winning or losing, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn: The quote Bill likes (3:25) His background (3:44) What data analytics means (4:55) A Pareto example (…

This week’s guest is Grace Gavin. Ron and Grace discussed the importance of open and honest communication, what it means to truly listen, the obstacles that get in our way, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn: The quote Grace likes (3:36) Her background (4:22) Accountability ve…

This week’s guest is Garrett Delph. Ron and Garrett discussed Garrett’s company Clarity Ops, his take on continuous improvement, what it means to be emotionally neutral, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn: Garrett’s favorite quote (3:53) His background (4:23) How he uses conti…

This week’s guest is April Bell. Ron and April discussed how Jack Henry uses Toyota Kata, the power of making predictions, managing remote teams, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn: The quote April likes (3:17) Her background (4:45) About Jack Henry (6:46) Their continuous imp…

This week’s guest is Dhana Hanumayya. Ron and Dhana discussed how Dhana uses continuous improvement and quality controls at home, the cause and effect matrix, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn: The quote Dhana likes (2:43) What Dhana is up to (4:54) What it’s like having John…

This week’s guest is Gregg Miner. Ron and Gregg discussed the difference between “doing” lean and “using” lean, how this applies to leaders, the true definition of lean, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn: The quote that inspires Greg (2:23) His background (5:07) What it means…

This week’s guest is Alfonso Aramburo. Ron and Alfonso discussed Alfonso’s experiences with turnarounds, leadership styles, balancing financial restructuring and operational excellence, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn: The quote that Alfonso likes (3:22) His background (4:2…

This week’s guest is Fabrice Desmarescaux. Ron and Fabrice discussed Fabrice’s journey towards professional fulfillment and how he helps others find purpose in their life’s work. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn: The quotes Fabrice likes (4:32) His background (6:04) How Fabrice discov…

This week’s guest is Alen Ganic. Ron and Alen, a Senior Lean and Six Sigma Coach at Gemba Academy, discussed the definitions of flow efficiency and resource efficiency, what differentiates them, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn: Alen’s favorite quote (2:29) His background (4…

This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed the Wheel of Sustainability, how it plays into a kaizen event, and how improv can also be a powerful tool in a rapid improvement context. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: His favorite quote (3:45) His background (5:35) The Whe…

This week's guest is Ron Crabtree. The two Rons discussed the concept of digital transformation, or digitization, including what it entails, how to navigate these transformations, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Ron likes (2:54) His background (3:22) What a digita…

This week's guest is Ron Pereira. Ron introduced the Gemba Academy School of Leadership and shared the audio from some of this exciting new content. Be sure to check the show notes to watch the video versions. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: Change Management (1:49) Leading Teams (7:…

This week's guest is Chris Fuzie. Ron and Chris discussed Chris's books, liminal space, tessellation, leadership, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Chris likes (3:22) His background (4:23) About liminal space and leadership (12:08) Optimizing the liminal space (14:0…

This week's guest is Jacob Stoller. Ron and Jacob discussed Jacob's upcoming book, "Productivity Reimagined," what it means to be productive, what productivity looks like in different industries, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: Jacob's favorite quote (1:58) Jacob's backgrou…

This week's guest is Nina Sossamon-Pogue. Ron and Nina discussed Nina's gymnastic career, focusing on the process vs. successes, values like discipline, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Nina likes (2:46) Her background (3:11) About her gymnastics career (6:02) Whet…

This week's guest is Gary Cihak. Ron and Gary discussed what it takes to build a Lean and Six Sigma program, the Job Instruction component of TWI, why 5S isn't just a series of chores, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Gary likes (2:20) His background and what he's …

This week's guest is Jessper Maquindang. Ron and Jessper discussed in-person, hybrid, and remote workplaces, how those choices affect company culture, what "belonging" means, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Jessper likes (3:16) His background (4:07) What influence…

This week's guest is Evan Unger. Ron and Evan discussed what often goes wrong in meetings, especially high-stakes meetings, as well as practical tips for making meetings successful. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Evan likes (2:03) His background (2:39) What Evan sees is go…

This week's guest is Ricky Shoop. Ron and Ricky discussed the concept of magnanimity, what it means to be a magnanimous leader, examples of magnanimous historical figures, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Ricky likes (3:01) His background and goals (4:20) What magn…

This week's guest is Malti Bhojwani. Ron and Malti discussed personal and professional transformations, different types of motivation, the importance of having a good work/life balance, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Malti likes (4:19) Her background (7:48) Her t…

This week's guest is Chad Senkowski. Ron and Chad discussed martial arts, Chad's podcast The Journey, coaching, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote that Chad likes (2:26) His background (3:21) How martial arts relates to continuous improvement (4:51) Why he started a …

This week's guest is Clint West. Ron and Clint discussed MacDonald & Owen's lean journey, the state of lean in the lumber industry, navigating biases, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Clint likes (4:57) How he sees bias as an obstacle (6:43) His background (8:34) T…

This week's guest is Ahmed Radwan. Ron and Ahmed discussed engagement, what it means to build a "lighthouse," sustaining kaizen efforts, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: Ahmed's favorite quote (2:25) His background (3:28) The challenges he's faced (8:15) How to sustain kaize…

This week's guest is Kurt Sears. Ron and Kurt discussed continuous improvement at Dollar Shave Club, happiness versus joy, the power of living out your beliefs, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote that Kurt likes (2:29) His background (5:47) The continuous improvement…

This week's guest is Matthew Townsend. Ron and Matthew discussed what a broken process looks like, what happens when you automate waste, how to identify and remove it, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: Matthew's favorite quote (3:09) His background (3:54) Defining a "broken" …

This week's guest is Zack Estes. Ron and Zack discussed Zack's coaching business, applying lean in non-manufacturing contexts, the five functions of business, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Zack likes (3:16) His background (3:34) About Path for Growth (7:19) Appl…

This week's guest is Jason Henderson. Ron and Jason discussed what managing expectations looks like, scientific thinking, dealing with negativity, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quotes that Jason likes (2:25) His background (4:21) How he discovered lean (8:46) What man…

This week's guest is Jennifer Drago. Ron and Jennifer discussed having a long-term vision, data-driven strategies, overcoming resistance to change, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Jennifer likes (4:01) Her background (4:24) Why having strategy and vision is import…

This week's guest is Royden Johnson. Ron and Royden discussed lean in South Africa, connection before correction, 5S, authority, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote that Royden likes (3:23) Royden's background (4:02) The state of lean in South Africa (10:41) Connectio…

This week's guest is Tim Pettry. Ron and Tim discussed outside perceptions of Toyota, Cleveland Clinic's journey with continuous improvement, and Tim's unusual workshop at the upcoming Shingo Conference. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Tim likes (2:28) How his lean journey …

This week's guest is April Bell. Ron and April discussed how Jack Henry uses continuous improvement, specifically Toyota Kata. They also explored quantifying waste in an office setting, and the intersection of tools and scientific thinking. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: April's fav…

This week's guest is Alen Ganic. Ron and Alen discussed Alen's work with the City of Grand Rapids, process improvement from the customer perspective, and the importance of celebrating quick wins. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: Alen's favorite quotes (2:02) His background (5:21) How …

This week's guest is Michael Lombard. Ron and Michael discussed deliberate versus random practice, homeschooling, youth soccer, and what it's like using scientific thinking in those environments. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Michael (3:58) His background (5…

This week's guest is Robb Holman. Ron and Robb discussed Robb's new book, "Lessons from Abdul," navigating crises, filtering out the "noise" in our lives, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Robb (3:30) About his new book, Lessons from Abdul (4:47) Who A…

This week's guest is Jim Huntzinger. Ron and Jim discussed what it means to build a culture of continuous improvement, what the future of continuous improvement looks like, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Jim likes (2:38) His background (3:13) About KataCon 2024 a…

This week's guest is Carlos Pereyra. Ron and Carlos discussed Carlos's recent graduation from our Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt program, what it means to create psychological safety, measuring success, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Carlos likes (3:31) His bac…

This week's guest is Jim Vaselopulos. Ron and Jim discussed business distractions, AI, and the lean parallels in Jim's book on clarity. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Jim (2:41) His background (3:45) Why he wrote a book (5:10) What "clarity" means to Jim (8:0…

This week's guest is Nikhil Joshi. Ron and Nikhil discussed the role of software in continuous improvement, what the future of AI looks like, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Nikhil likes (2:45) His background (3:35) How software plays a role in the continuous impr…

This week's guest is Clint West. Clint "turned the tables" this week by interviewing our host, Ron Pereira instead. Together they covered everything from lean in the office, to DMAIC, resistance, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Clint likes (6:35) His background (7…

This week's guest is Sam Morgan. Ron and Sam discussed Sam's journey with live coaching, including who he typically works with and what these sessions look like. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Sam loves (3:04) His background (4:31) How he started doing live coaching (5:34)…

This week's guest is Bill Leahy. Ron and Bill discussed Bill's critically important initiative to support veterans as they transition back into civilian life, and his documentary "Unturning Steel." An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Bill (3:04) His background (3:…

This week's guest is Eric Recker. Ron and Eric discussed bullying, avoiding burnout, and what it means to "Win the Now." An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Eric (2:05) His background (5:01) What he's up to these days (7:49) The levels of bullying (11:04) Eric's "…

This week's guest is Scott McDuffee. Ron and Scott discussed the role of curiosity in leadership, dealing with "CAVE" people, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: Scott's favorite quote (3:12) His background (3:59) The challenges he's faced (6:01) The role of curiosity in leader…

This week's guest is Marc Braun. Ron and Marc discussed all things coaching, including some truly powerful anecdotes. They also explored the concept of "coachability." An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: Marc's favorite quote (3:07) His background (5:13) What he's up to these days (9:57)…

This week's guest is Karen Friedenberg. Ron and Karen discussed strategic planning, specifically Karen's strategy execution framework. They also talked about measuring initiatives. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quotes that inspire Karen (2:15) Her background (3:11) Her strategy…

This week's guest is Rick Foreman. Ron and Rick discussed dealing with resistance as well as choosing between different leadership behaviors and approaches. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Rick likes (3:39) His background (6:59) Dealing with resistance (11:28) Collaboration…

This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed kaizen events, specifically the different roles involved and how they function together. They also talked about dealing with "CAVE" People. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: The quote Adam likes (3:09) His background (4:14) Wha…

This week's guest is our own Steve Kane. Ron and Steve discussed Toyota Kata, coaching (specifically Steve's coaching style), running certification programs, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: Steve's favorite quote (3:05) His early thoughts on Toyota Kata and scientific think…

This week's guest is Ron Pereira. Ron explained what we've been up to as a company this year, including our Live Instructor training, and some of the new courses we've released. We also shared some of the audio from these exciting new videos. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.In this episode you'll learn: About our…