S2 E5: The People Factor: Leveraging Job Relations for Sustainable Change

The Improvement Nerds Podcast

The People Factor: Leveraging Job Relations for Sustainable Change

In this episode of the Improvement Nerd Podcast, we dive into Job Relations (JR)—a cornerstone of Training Within Industry (TWI). April Thomas Schmidt, a TWI expert, shares how JR helps leaders build trust, strengthen relationships, and drive sustainable change within organizations.

Learn how Job Relations transforms workplace culture by focusing on people-centered leadership and practical problem-solving techniques. Whether you're tackling resistance to change, improving employee engagement, or looking to create a culture of continuous improvement, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
✔️ What is Training Within Industry (TWI)?
✔️ The Four Foundations of Good Job Relations
✔️ The Four-Step Problem-Solving Method for Leaders
✔️ How JR Supports Change Management and Continuous Improvement
✔️ Real-world examples of transformation through Job Relations

🎙️ About Our Guest:
April Thomas Schmidt is a passionate advocate for unlocking human potential and leveraging relationships to achieve organizational success. With deep expertise in TWI, she helps leaders create thriving, people-focused workplaces.

📌 Chapters:
0:00 – Intro to Job Relations and TWI
3:15 – The History of TWI
7:30 – The Foundations of Good Job Relations
12:45 – Overcoming Resistance to Change with JR
18:20 – Real-Life Success Stories from the Workplace
25:40 – Building Trust as a Leadership Skill

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📣 Keywords for this episode:
Training Within Industry, Job Relations, TWI Explained, Leadership Skills, Continuous Improvement, Lean Six Sigma, Change Management, Employee Engagement, Building Trust in Teams