What does real Lean leadership look like—and how do you avoid just looking Lean without being Lean? 🤔

Join host Felipe Engineer-Manriquez on The EBFC Show as he talks with Patrick Adams—Lean expert, international consultant, author of The Appearance Trap, and host of the Lean Solutions Podcast.

This episode dives deep into leadership, coaching, and continuous improvement that actually sticks in the real world—not just on paper. Patrick shares powerful stories from consulting around the globe, including a hospital transformation in Kazakhstan, Lean in education, and how organizations can evolve beyond cost-cutting into cultures of safety, quality, and delivery.

💡 In this episode:

* How Lean leadership has evolved post-2020

* What true continuous improvement looks like in construction and beyond

* Lessons from international consulting (including Kazakhstan 🇰🇿)

* Why daily management systems & leader standard work matter

* The danger of “fake Lean” and how to escape the appearance trap

* Building psychological safety and coaching for change

* The role of AI and modern tools in Lean transformation

Patrick also shares insights from his award-winning book The Appearance Trap, packed with practical guidance for anyone working to improve teams, processes, or culture.

📘 Grab Patrick’s book on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4ozVLdw

👍 If you’re passionate about Lean, leadership, and building better systems, hit that Like, Comment, and Subscribe—and let us know your favorite takeaway from the episode!

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Connect with Patrick via

LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickadamsii/

Website https://www.findleansolutions.com/

Connect with Felipe via Social media and Free Lean and Scrum Training Resources at https://thefelipe.bio.link

RSM Podia Course Link: https://store.theebfcshow.com/rsm

Subscribe to never miss new videos here: https://click.theebfcshow.com/youtube

Watch The EBFC Show Podcast https://click.theebfcshow.com/YouTube-Podcast

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Elevate your construction career and enhance your company's performance by mastering the crucial aspect of building enclosure management with Field Verified's specialized training. Address the major challenge of managing building enclosures, a common source of construction failures. Get hands-on learning experience with real-world construction scenarios and mock-up installations for skill-building with leadership and team-focused strategies. By joining our course, you gain access to a proven program that not only covers technical aspects but also better practices for effective construction management. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your approach. Visit https://fieldverified.com for more insights, or contact us at 480-719-5090.

Welcome to a special edition of The Easier, Better, for Construction Show (EBFC Show)! 🎙️ Host Felipe Engineer-Manriquez goes full Hot Ones mode in this spicy Season 6 episode, taking on 🔟 blazing sauces while answering 🔟 burning questions.

This time, Felipe is in the hot seat—literally—interviewed by his son, Noah, in a fiery twist of father-son bonding, lean thinking, and laugh-out-loud moments. 🌶👨‍👦

🎧 What’s inside:

• The BIGGEST misconceptions about Scrum in construction 🚧
• Why trust + communication = supercharged teams 🛠️
• Parenting vs. project management — which one’s spicier? 😂
• Emotional moments & epic shoutouts from 6 years of podcasting ❤️
• And yes... he faces "The Bomb" and lives to tell the tale 😵‍💫

🔥 It’s heat, humor, and hard truths—Scrum-style.

👉 Join us, share a laugh, and maybe a tear (from the spice 🌶). 💬 Don’t forget to leave a comment: What’s YOUR biggest challenge with Scrum or Lean Construction?

🔥 Ready to build easier, better, faster, and cheaper?

Join the EBFC Scrum Community — your space to learn Scrum & Lean with real builders and designers.

✅ Free access through Jan 2026 with code STARTNOW

👉 Tap here: https://store.theebfcshow.com/the-ebfc-show-community

Connect with Felipe via

💼 Social media and Free Lean and Scrum Training Resources at https://thefelipe.bio.link

📲 Subscribe to never miss new videos here: https://click.theebfcshow.com/youtube

🎥 Watch The EBFC Show Podcast https://click.theebfcshow.com/YouTube-Podcast

Follow Noah via

🔗 LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/scrum-for-teens/

Book Website at https://scrumforteens.com/

Photo Credits:

Conan O'Brien Needs a Doctor While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones

https://youtu.be/FALlhXl6CmA?si=hKElx1IeDwe376YI

What if the biggest barrier to Lean success isn’t the trades or the tools — but the way we think about planning itself? 🤔

In this episode of The EBFC Show, Victor Ortiz and host Felipe Engineer-Manriquez continue their deep dive into the Last Planner System®, uncovering the principles and practices that separate sticky notes on a wall from a true production control system. From flawed procurement processes to the hidden impact of variation and buffers, they reveal why most teams miss the point — and how to get it right.

📌 Key Takeaways You’ll Gain:

• The five Lean principles that anchor Last Planner to true customer value
• Why dependency + variation create traffic jams on projects 🚦
• How to use buffers (capacity, inventory, and time) to protect flow
• The 3S criteria (Size, Sequence, Soundness) for defining reliable tasks
• Why constraint analysis is non-negotiable for reliable commitments
• The five levels of organizational change every Lean leader must navigate

If you’ve ever wondered why Last Planner works brilliantly in some teams but fizzles in others, this episode offers the clarity you’ve been waiting for.

🎧 Listen now, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights that make construction easier and better! 🚀

Part 3: Turning Resistance into Results: Mastering the Last Planner System with Victor Ortiz Part 3 https://www.theebfcshow.com/Victor-Ortiz-LPS-Part3/

Part 2: Fake Last Planner System with Victor Ortiz https://www.theebfcshow.com/Victor-Ortiz-LPS-Part2/

Part 1: Transforming Construction: Last Planner System Deep Dive with Victor Ortiz https://www.theebfcshow.com/LPS-with-Victor-part1/

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Connect with Victor via

LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-ortiz-671301/

Connect with Felipe via

Social media and Free Lean and Scrum Training Resources at https://thefelipe.bio.link

RSM Podia Course Link: https://store.theebfcshow.com/rsm

Subscribe to never miss new videos here: https://click.theebfcshow.com/youtube

Watch The EBFC Show Podcast https://click.theebfcshow.com/YouTube-Podcast

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Today's episode is sponsored by the Lean Construction Institute (LCI). This non-profit organization operates as a catalyst to transform the industry through Lean project delivery using an operating system centered on a common language, fundamental principles, and basic practices. Learn more at https://www.leanconstruction.org

Elevate your construction career and enhance your company's performance by mastering the crucial aspect of building enclosure management with Field Verified's specialized training. Address the major challenge of managing building enclosures, a common source of construction failures. Get hands-on learning experience with real-world construction scenarios and mock-up installations for skill-building with leadership and team-focused strategies. By joining our course, you gain access to a proven program that not only covers technical aspects but also better practices for effective construction management. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your approach. Visit https://fieldverified.com for more insights, or contact us at 480-719-5090.

What if the real problem on your project isn’t budget, scope, or schedule — but how decisions are actually made? 🤯

In this episode of The EBFC Show, Felipe Engineer-Manriquez is joined by Dr. Paz Arroyo — author of Building Decisions, CBA evangelist, and DPR's culture of quality champion — to unravel the mess behind most construction decisions and reveal a better path forward.

Together, they dive into the science and soul of sound decision-making with Choosing by Advantages (CBA) — a powerful, underused method that helps teams cut through bias, confusion, and decision fatigue with clarity and respect.

🎯 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why “pros and cons” are a trap for critical thinking 😬
• How CBA helps teams align on what really matters — and why
• The human (and hilarious) side of decision-making in big families, big projects, and cell phone shopping 📱
• Real stories from mega projects where CBA shifted the game
• How to make durable, collaborative, and transparent decisions
• Why most teams aren’t taught to separate value from cost — and what that costs them 💸
• How CBA supports #respectforpeople by including every voice in the room

💡 Whether you’re building skyscrapers, choosing a structural system, or just arguing over iPhone vs. Android — this episode will change how you think about thinking.

📘 Grab the book “Building Decisions” and dig deeper into practical, field-tested ways to apply CBA on your project.

🧠 Want to make better decisions that stick? This episode is for builders, leaders, owners, and anyone tired of flip-flopping, second-guessing, or defaulting to “we’ve always done it this way.”

Books

“Building Decisions” by Paz Arroyo, Annett Schöttle, and Randi Christensen

Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/4mJMjDC

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Connect with Paz via

LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paz-arroyo-phd-27b282b/

Connect with Felipe via

Social media and Free Lean and Scrum Training Resources at https://thefelipe.bio.link

RSM Podia Course Link: https://store.theebfcshow.com/rsm

Subscribe to never miss new videos here: https://click.theebfcshow.com/youtube

Watch The EBFC Show Podcast https://click.theebfcshow.com/YouTube-Podcast

---

Today's episode is sponsored by the Lean Construction Institute (LCI). This non-profit organization operates as a catalyst to transform the industry through Lean project delivery using an operating system centered on a common language, fundamental principles, and basic practices. Learn more at https://www.leanconstruction.org

Elevate your construction career and enhance your company's performance by mastering the crucial aspect of building enclosure management with Field Verified's specialized training. Address the major challenge of managing building enclosures, a common source of construction failures. Get hands-on learning experience with real-world construction scenarios and mock-up installations for skill-building with leadership and team-focused strategies. By joining our course, you gain access to a proven program that not only covers technical aspects but also better practices for effective construction management. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your approach. Visit https://fieldverified.com for more insights, or contact us at 480-719-5090.

How Small Projects Can Win Big with Target Value Delivery (TVD). In this episode of The EBFC Show, host Felipe Engineer-Manriquez chats with Jason Brenner from Join about the game-changing power of Target Value Delivery (TVD) — not just for billion-dollar mega-projects, but even for more modest efforts like a $6 million infrastructure upgrade.

Together, they break down how TVD helps teams build trust, embrace collaboration, and deliver more value — regardless of project size. Jason shares real-world insights and practical strategies for navigating common challenges like audits, cost control, and stakeholder engagement. Whether you're new to TVD or looking to deepen your application of it, this conversation is packed with wisdom you can take straight to the jobsite.

🎯 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why TVD works on small AND large-scale projects
• How to build trust across diverse project teams
• The role of hybrid Big Rooms in today’s construction workflows
• Strategies to empower and leverage junior staff
• Tips for separating cost from fee in transparent ways
• Overcoming trust barriers and creating safe collaboration spaces
• Insights into project audits and accountability
• How to align project goals through shared understanding
• Why sustainable collaboration starts with respect and communication

💬 Want to deliver more value in your next project? This episode is a must-listen for builders, designers, owners, and anyone committed to improving construction culture.

🔗 Listen now and let us know: What’s your biggest takeaway from this episode?

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Connect with Jason via

LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-brenner-3b29524/

Website at https://join.build/

Connect with Felipe via

Social media and Free Lean and Scrum Training Resources at https://thefelipe.bio.link

RSM Podia Course Link: https://store.theebfcshow.com/rsm

Subscribe to never miss new videos here: https://click.theebfcshow.com/youtube

Watch The EBFC Show Podcast https://click.theebfcshow.com/YouTube-Podcast

---

Today's episode is sponsored by the Lean Construction Institute (LCI). This non-profit organization operates as a catalyst to transform the industry through Lean project delivery using an operating system centered on a common language, fundamental principles, and basic practices. Learn more at https://www.leanconstruction.org

Elevate your construction career and enhance your company's performance by mastering the crucial aspect of building enclosure management with Field Verified's specialized training. Address the major challenge of managing building enclosures, a common source of construction failures. Get hands-on learning experience with real-world construction scenarios and mock-up installations for skill-building with leadership and team-focused strategies. By joining our course, you gain access to a proven program that not only covers technical aspects but also better practices for effective construction management. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your approach. Visit https://fieldverified.com for more insights, or contact us at 480-719-5090.

“Collaboration isn't just for mega-projects.” 💬 In this powerful episode of The EBFC Show, Jason Brenner (@ Join) joins Felipe to break down how high-performing teams can achieve target value delivery (TVD) on projects of all sizes — not just the billion-dollar ones. 🏗️

With nearly 30 years of construction leadership experience (Genentech, DPR, Excel), Jason shares how he scaled from chemist to strategy exec — and what makes truly collaborative delivery not only possible, but sustainable.

💥 Topics include:

• Why scaling down TVD actually unlocks innovation 💡
• How Jason’s team delivered a 1% budget variance on a major pharma facility 🧪
• The power of hands-on facilitation training and learning by doing 🙌
• Why teams fail when they forget to onboard new people properly 🚨
• The difference between parallel play and integrated collaboration 🎭

Plus, Jason and Felipe get real about:

• The illusion of "too late in design"
• Investing in precon as an insurance policy
• Why trust is the true project multiplier

👀 Whether you're an owner, contractor, or design pro — this convo will challenge how you think about teamwork, culture, and delivering real value in construction. 👉 Don’t miss this one. Like Jason says, “You can’t shortcut your way to collaboration.” Ready to scale smarter?

🕒 Key Timestamps:

00:00 – Why scaling TVD is essential 02:00 – Hands-on learning vs watching 05:20 – Invisible structure behind good meetings 06:04 – Intro to Jason Brenner 08:00 – From chemist to construction pro 12:30 – Trust and high-performing teams 16:00 – Target value delivery on Genentech's award-winning facility 23:00 – Defining collaborative project delivery 28:30 – Breaking down real-world project barriers 38:00 – Why onboarding affects team trust 50:00 – Letting design teams innovate within constraints 54:00 – Integrated play vs parallel play

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights on transforming construction practices! 🚀

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Connect with Jason via

LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-brenner-3b29524/

Website at https://join.build/

Connect with Felipe via

Social media and Free Lean and Scrum Training Resources at https://thefelipe.bio.link

RSM Podia Course Link: https://store.theebfcshow.com/rsm

Subscribe to never miss new videos here: https://click.theebfcshow.com/youtube

Watch The EBFC Show Podcast https://click.theebfcshow.com/YouTube-Podcast

---

Today's episode is sponsored by the Lean Construction Institute (LCI). This non-profit organization operates as a catalyst to transform the industry through Lean project delivery using an operating system centered on a common language, fundamental principles, and basic practices. Learn more at https://www.leanconstruction.org

Elevate your construction career and enhance your company's performance by mastering the crucial aspect of building enclosure management with Field Verified's specialized training. Address the major challenge of managing building enclosures, a common source of construction failures. Get hands-on learning experience with real-world construction scenarios and mock-up installations for skill-building with leadership and team-focused strategies. By joining our course, you gain access to a proven program that not only covers technical aspects but also better practices for effective construction management. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your approach. Visit https://fieldverified.com for more insights, or contact us at 480-719-5090.