This week’s guest is Alexandra Suchman. Ron and Alexandra discussed the concept of relational waste, playing games in continuous improvement, the role of personality differences, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

• Alexandra’s favorite quote (2:33)
• Her background (3:21)
• Her thoughts on playing games in continuous improvement (5:39)
• All about relational waste (8:02)
• How personality differences factor in (10:56)
• A time when a game didn’t work out (17:10)
• Alexandra’s go-to games for those just getting started (18:51)
• Her advice for incorporating games (20:46)

• Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
• Alexandra on LinkedIn
• Barometer XP

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Have you ever played games in a continuous improvement setting? What kinds of games?

This week’s guests are Heather Underwood and Adam Marsland. Ron, Heather, and Adam discussed how lean is being applied in legal settings, the status quo when it comes to AI, what the future might look like, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

• The quotes that inspire Heather and Adam (3:44)
• Their backgrounds (5:37)
• The role of lean (7:36)
• Examples of using lean in a legal setting (10:20)
• What they’re learning (13:01)
• The future of AI and its effect on humanity (17:38)
• Challenges as it relates to lean and AI (19:14)
• What things will look like in five years (24:52)
• The adoption of lean in the legal industry (27:01)
• Moving from control to curiosity (29:10)
• Their final words of wisdom (33:33)

• Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
• Adam on LinkedIn
• Heather on LinkedIn
• GA 326 | Lean and Law in the UK with Adam Marsland
• GA 422 | Getting Lean Buy-In with Adam Marsland

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Are you concerned for the future in regards to AI? Why or why not?

This week’s guest is Caleb Wilczynski. Ron and Caleb discussed Caleb’s experience getting his Master Black Belt with Gemba Academy, the challenges his organization has faced, design engineering, leveraging OEE, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

• The quote Caleb likes (3:57)
• His background (5:07)
• What he’s up to in continuous improvement (8:42)
• About Caleb’s design engineering role (12:06)
• Their change management journey (17:20)
• How else Caleb is using his new skills (21:24)
• How Caleb plans to share his knowledge (25:45)

• Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
• Caleb on LinkedIn

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What are your thoughts on Overall Equipment Effectiveness?

This week’s guest is Gemba Academy Senior Coach and Instructor Ricky Banks. Ron and Ricky discussed what it means to lead without authority, working with incarcerated individuals, the importance of building relationships, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

• Ricky’s background (3:17)
• What “leading without authority” means to him (4:15)
• Whether it’s more or less important today (6:10)
• Building trust and credibility (7:47)
• An example of a spectacular leader (10:49)
• How it feels working with incarcerated individuals (15:02)
• How these skills work in the coaching context (18:24)
• The importance of relationships (22:27)
• The role of likeability (23:32)

• Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
• Ricky on LinkedIn
• Ministry Manna

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What does the phrase “leading without authority” mean to you?

This week’s guests are Michelle Troseth and Tracy Christopherson. Ron, Michelle, and Tracy discussed the concept of an internal operating system, dealing with both burnout and boredom, the importance of personal alignment, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

• Michelle and Tracy’s favorite quotes (3:12)
• Their backgrounds (4:37)
• Characterizing burnout (6:03)
• Dealing with boredom (9:27)
• About the “internal operating system” (11:24)
• How to prevent leaders from self-sabotaging (16:22)
• “Upgrading” your operating system (20:52)
• The importance of personal alignment (24:23)
• An example anecdote (26:52)
• How that kind of impact makes them feel (30:56)

• Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
• Tracy on LinkedIn
• Michelle on LinkedIn
• Missing Logic
• Burnout Proof Leadership

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What about the concept of an internal operating system can you relate to?

This week’s guest is Nick Klein. Ron and Nick discussed how Nick applies lean at his organization, the challenges they’re facing, and why quick improvements like cleaning up your desktop do more than you think. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

• The quote Nick likes (2:37)
• Nick’s background (3:34)
• His journey (5:52)
• An example improvement (8:30)
• The size of their organization (10:08)
• The challenges they’re facing (13:57)
• A breakthrough moment (17:08)
• One of Nick’s favorite mistakes (19:20)
• Advice for anyone who is new to lean (22:55)

• Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
• Nick on LinkedIn

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What’s a quick fix you could do today to make your life easier?

This week’s guest is Katie Anderson. Ron and Katie discussed Katie’s most recent book, the Katalyst framework she created, her experiences leading trips in Japan, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

• The quote Katie likes (2:55)
• Her background (4:52)
• What she’s learned since writing the book (7:54)
• The model she created (9:49)
• The mistake organizations and leaders make (13:05)
• Katie’s podcast journey (17:48)
• Her experiences in Japan (26:51)
• Katie’s take on AI (30:18)
• Her final words of wisdom (34:48)

• Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
• Katie on LinkedIn
• Katie’s Website
• Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn
• GA 173 | How to Use A3 Thinking
• GA 242 | How to Leverage Different Lean Experiences
• GA 281 | Building an Online Community of Practice
• GA 297 | The Importance of Hansei and Revitalization
• GA 331 | Leading and Learning at Toyota
• GA 453 | Navigating the Struggle of Learning

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What interests you most about the Katalyst framework?

This week’s guests are Sarah Tilkens and Leah Roe. Ron, Sarah, and Leah discussed the problem solver revolution, building trust in yourself and others, working with younger generations, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

• A favorite quote (2:16)
• How Sarah and Leah met (4:15)
• Ron’s confession (9:25)
• Building a culture of problem solvers (11:15)
• His advice for when trust isn’t where it should be (13:23)
• Trusting yourself (17:34)
• The problem solver revolution (22:32)
• How kaizen plays a role (25:49)
• Working with the younger generations (29:11)
• The most important concept Ron took away from today’s episode (37:33)

• Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
• GA 275 | Leading vs. Serving with Sarah Tilkens
• GA 408 | Lean and Life Coaches with Sarah Tilkens
• GA 474 | Integrating Coaching and Lean with Sarah Tilkens
• GA 568 | Lean and Talent Development with Sarah Tilkens
• Sarah on LinkedIn
• Sarah’s Website
• Leah on LinkedIn
• Leah’s Website

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How do you build trust in yourself? In coworkers?