Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership

This week’s guest is Dean Svarc. Ron and Dean discussed Dean’s book, “Trojan Horse,” navigating hidden threats, why culture matters, the mistakes leaders make, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

The quote that inspires Dean (2:33)

His background (3:05)

Why he wrote his book (4:08)

What it’s about (5:18)

What the “hidden threats” are (6:25)

Why culture matters (7:33)

Some examples (8:37)

A success story (10:51)

Some of the mistakes Dean sees leaders make (13:28)

What he’s trying to instill in leaders (14:54)

The mindset shift Dean believes we all should consider (20:04)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Dean’s Website

Dean on LinkedIn

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What Do You Think?

What other “hidden threats” are there?

This week’s guest is Ashley Herd. Ron and Ashley discussed Ashley’s Pause, Consider, Act Framework, the concept of a career quilt, micromanagement, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

Ashley’s background (3:36)

Her favorite quote (5:08)

About the Pause Consider Act framework (9:53)

Why “Pause” is the most difficult (13:04)

The PDCA framework (15:04)

What a “career quilt” is (15:42)

Her advice for young professionals (18:15)

Ashley’s thoughts on micromanagement (20:49)

About her “Great Minds Overthink Alike” sign (25:19)

Ashley’s final words of wisdom (26:56)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Ashley’s Website

The Manager Method Book

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What Do You Think?

What are your thoughts on the Pause, Consider, Act Framework?

This week’s guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed Adam’s Wheel of Sustainability, the importance of continuously improving, what his Sustainability System assessment is trying to solve, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

The quote Adam likes (2:41)

His background (3:32)

The Wheel of Sustainability (4:22)

Why he created the system (6:48)

A case study of how Adam has seen it work (7:33)

The importance of continuously improving (9:20)

What Adam’s assessment is trying to solve (12:16)

The feedback he’s gotten (17:29)

Adam’s challenge for our listeners (21:29)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Adam’s Past Gemba Academy Podcast Episodes

The Wheel of Sustainability

Get Your Sustainability Score

Adam on LinkedIn

Adam’s Website

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Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here.

What Do You Think?

What are your thoughts on the Wheel of Sustainability?

This week’s guest is Steven Remsen. Ron and Steven discussed Steven’s time at Intel, how to make change “stick” at a large organization, what Steven sees organizations struggling with, the current state of AI, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

The quote that inspires Steven (1:57)

Steven’s background (3:03)

What he saw at Intel (6:42)

The certification factory (9:15)

Some of the changes they made (11:01)

Making things “stick” across a large organization (16:38)

What’s next for Steven and what organizations are struggling with (19:30)

The state of AI (21:57)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Steven on LinkedIn

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What Do You Think?

What do YOU think it takes to make a change “stick” at an organization?

This week’s guest is Dr. Julia Garcia. Ron and Julia discussed Julia’s book, “The Five Habits of Hope,” the power of resilience, the role hope plays in problem-solving, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

The quote Julia likes (3:59)

Why she wrote her book (6:21)

The power of resilience (7:40)

Whether hope is a choice or a habit (9:10)

Why it’s a good alternative to grit and struggle (10:51)

Julia’s words of encouragement (15:01)

The five habits of hope (17:30)

How hope plays a role in problem-solving (31:34)

Julia’s final words of wisdom (34:52)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

The Five Habits of Hope

Julia’s Website

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Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here.

What Do You Think?

Which habit of hope stands out to you?