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The Edges of Lean explores topics in continuous improvement (lean thinking, creative problem solving, six sigma) that get overlooked. Meet the people practicing lean in odd places or with different twists, always with a focus on respect for people and continuous learning.
Episodes
Thursday Dec 14, 2023
Ep 111 Drawing Your Way to Continuous Improvement with Ashton Rodenhiser
Thursday Dec 14, 2023
Thursday Dec 14, 2023
As a lean leader, I have facilitated countless meetings and events. Truth be told, I am a messy and disorganized note-taker with dreadful handwriting! So, I have significant respect for the people who can record the work and results of a meeting in graphic form. Ashton Rodenhiser is an experienced graphic communicator, and she joined me at the Edges of Lean to share her story and give us some ideas about bringing more images into how we capture meetings.
Ashton Rodenhiser
Ashton Rodenhiser is a passionate creative entrepreneur advocating for drawing as a thinking tool accessible to all, regardless of their drawing abilities. Through her company, Mind's Eye Creative Consulting, she has been dedicated to helping people communicate their ideas through graphic recording and graphic facilitation. With over 2,500 presentations brought to life, Ashton has demonstrated the power of visually capturing notes for improved recall and a rich connection with information. Ashton enjoys quality time with her family in rural Canada when she is not working.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:00:29 Drawing can enhance meeting capture.
00:08:09 Embrace the imperfection of creativity.
00:14:52 Graphic recording is accessible and efficient.
00:17:30 Visual storytelling is accessible to everyone.
00:25:55 Graphic facilitation empowers diverse voices.
00:27:58 Tangible paper creates memorable experiences.
00:33:17 Importance of transparent communication.
00:39:07 Value lived experiences in forming opinions.
00:44:45 Explore unique job opportunities through research and networking.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Graphic recording and facilitation can be powerful tools for capturing and communicating the work and results of meetings and events.
- The imperfection of graphic recording allows everyone to see and connect with their wisdom and knowledge.
- Graphic recording can be a powerful way to make people feel heard and seen uniquely.
- Creating simple drawing elements like lines, squares, and circles can elevate information and highlight key concepts.
- Words are essential in graphic recording to capture the content and ensure the group's ideas are honored.
- Graphic recordings can be used as a living document, with people writing on them and adding sticky notes to keep the conversation going.
- The purpose of graphic recordings is to capture the conversation in time and facilitate ongoing dialogue and action.
Memorable Quotes From Ashton Rodenhiser
"Bringing more images into how we capture meetings can tell a story and enhance understanding."
CONNECT WITH Ashton Rodenhiser
Find her book: https://amzn.eu/d/b6moElC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtonrodenhiser/?originalSubdomain=ca
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8egQ9KvwCLN8uAJN_OZJdg
Twitter: https://x.com/MindsEyeCCF?s=20
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Ep 110 Contiuously Improving the Feedback Cycle with Carole Stizza
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
As lean leaders, we talk about feedback a lot. We know that feedback is important, and if you are like me, you crave it – so that we can improve! But let’s face it, it’s not always effective or helpful. Carole Stizza has researched the topic of feedback, and she says that there’s a lot to improve! She joined me at The Edges of Lean to share her insights.
Carole Stizza
Carole, an industrial organizational psychologist with a passion for leadership, has faced numerous challenges, including frequent relocations due to being a military spouse, multiple car accidents, and a frightening cancer diagnosis. These experiences have shaped her perspective on life and success, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence, resilience, and positive intelligence. Carole now shares her insights with clients and audiences, guiding them toward becoming exceptional leaders and finding their path to meaningful success. When not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys hiking and cycling in the mountains of Colorado.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:00:25 Improve feedback for continuous improvement.
00:09:30 Insight is about growth.
00:14:00 Ask for perspective, recognize, and communicate effectively.
00:21:16 Set up conversations for success.
00:24:12 Assessment drives growth and efficiency.
00:33:19. Language is vital for growth.
00:36:53 Effective communication requires active listening.
00:45:23 The power of asking questions.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Feedback is often seen as negative and can be ineffective or unhelpful.
- The traditional approach to feedback, such as annual performance reviews, is outdated and does not yield the desired results.
- Harvard research suggests that asking for feedback is more effective than giving feedback.
- Asking for insights helps to create a safe space for conversation and connection.
- The brain constantly seeks information on what is going well and where there is room for growth.
- Social media has tapped into the human desire for recognition and growth.
- The key to effective feedback conversations is to be clear, specific and focused on one thing at a time.
Memorable Quotes From Carole Stizza
"Our brain wants to know what we are doing right so we can keep and honor it. We do not throw it out with the bathwater. And we want to know where to grow next.”
CONNECT WITH Carole Stizza
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carole-stizza-relevant-insight
Website: https://www.relevant-insight.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/relevant4you
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Ep 109 Continuous Improvement and Your Core Values with Andrea Johnson
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Do you know what your core values are? Have they changed during your life as you grew, gained experience, and broadened your perspectives? Some people are very clear about their core values, while others are not or wonder if they need re-examining. Johnson's work centers on supporting people, especially women, as they define and align with their core values. She joined me at The Edges of Lean to share her insights.
Andrea Johnson
Andrea Johnson is a coach and mentor who empowers executives and founders to lead authentically and confidently. She makes a positive impact on their lives, organizations, and communities. As an adoptive parent who grew up internationally, Andrea understands the importance of mental and physical wellness and the need for emotional resilience. She discovered that uncovering and understanding her Core Values was crucial to her growth, and now she helps her clients do the same.
Andrea specializes in working with leaders who feel stifled and unsatisfied with their current level of influence. Her passion lies in equipping female leaders to redefine the culture by trusting their critical thinking, imaginative creativity, and leadership skills.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:08:57 Leadership is about growing people.
00:11:13 Embrace your big personality.
00:11:35 Childhood leadership memories.
00:17:27 Core values guide our actions.
00:23:05 Coaching skills are essential in lean management.
00:26:08 Curiosity is a key for coaching.
00:29:30 The power of critical thinking.
00:31:25 Understanding personal beliefs and values.
00:38:36 Trust yourself, you have got this.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Core values and their importance in personal growth
- The journey of defining and aligning with core values
- Supporting women in discovering and embracing their core values
- The impact of core values on leadership development
- The relationship between core values and communication styles (DISC)
- The power of intentional optimism in personal and professional life
- The significance of standing tall and owning beliefs and values
- The importance of developing critical thinking skills
- Trusting oneself and embracing personal values as a foundation for success
Memorable Quotes From Andrea Johnson
"Trust yourself because you know your core values even though you have not named them.”
CONNECT WITH Andrea Johnson
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-intentional-optimist/
Podcast:https://intentionaloptimists.buzzsprout.com/share
Website: https://www.theintentionaloptimist.com/
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Ep 108 Rapid Growth and the Power of Lean with Catherine Chabiron
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Catherine Chabiron is an expert in lean management and an author. She recently wrote a book called Learning to Scale at the Theodo Group, which describes how a company faced with dramatic growth used lean thinking to avoid what Catherine calls Big Company Disease. She joined me at the Edges of Lean to discuss what she learned when she went to the Gemba with this company and its founders.
Catherine Chabiron
Catherine is an accomplished Lean executive coach in France and plays a significant role in leading the Lean Service community at Institut Lean France. She is also a renowned author and teacher, specializing in problem-solving and sharing her experiences from Gemba walks in lean companies through her publication Notes from the Gemba on Planet Lean.
With 40 years of experience, Catherine is considered a Lean Management Sensei. She has authored numerous books and articles on lean methodology, focusing on helping companies transform their culture and enhance employee engagement to adapt to growth challenges.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:00:11 Lean management drives rapid growth.
00:05:42 The differences between Lean vs Agile in software development.
00:08:10 Why is it important to focus on the customer and not just process in growth situations?
00:13:51 Flexibility is the key in processes.
00:24:02 The importance of employee engagement and problem-solving skills.
00:25:00 Lean principles drive company success.
00:28:21 The need to keep learning as a leader.
00:29:03 Continuous learning drives organizational improvement
00:35:20 The importance of visiting the gemba.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Lean management can help companies avoid the big company disease that often occurs with rapid growth.
- Agile and Lean are complementary approaches, but Agile alone may not address all the challenges of scaling a company.
- Leaders should ask about normal and abnormal conditions to encourage problem-solving and learning.
- Talent can be identified by the quality of the countermeasures proposed by employees to address problems.
- Scaling a company requires a balance between challenge and competence to drive growth and development.
- Watching and observing the actual work happening in the company is essential for understanding the challenges and opportunities for improvement.
Memorable Quotes From Catherine Chabiron
"Identify talents when you visit by looking at the quality of the countermeasures they propose.”
CONNECT WITH Catherine Chabiron
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-chabiron
Twitter:https://x.com/CathChabiron?s=20
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Scale-Theodo-Group-resilient/dp/2958357023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Ep 107 Continuously Improving Your Conversations with Clients with Robert Indries
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Robert Indries started his career as an engineer and has taken that scientific and analytical approach into his successful entrepreneurial business career. The general belief is that engineers are not good at the people stuff, but Robert turns that idea on its head. I was curious how he used his learnings as he built his businesses to understand better how to help his clients. He joined me at the Edges of Lean to generously share his insights.
Robert Indries
Robert Indries, an entrepreneur and strategist, began his journey in a small Romanian town. With humble roots, he adopted the belief: "You can achieve anything, no matter where you are now."
Earning his master's degree in information technology project management, Robert built an 8-business empire generating seven figures annually. He traveled and visited 17 countries and spoke to thousands of people in 3 languages. Robert has accumulated over 500 million USD in client business value and delivered over 200 projects across 19 sectors and industries.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:01:59 Pursuing engineering at a young age.
00:06:19 Thinking like an engineer.
00:10:05 Reality vs Utopia.
00:13:17 Four types of personalities.
00:16:08 Our natural and adaptive selves.
00:25:03 Focusing on others to win.
00:29:01 Ethical business recommendations.
00:30:32 Taking midday naps at work.
00:34:03 Taking productive breaks.
00:40:19 De-risking their business is the best thing you can do as a consultant.
00:42:28 The value of building a brand.
00:46:37 Stop thinking people should be.
00:49:06 Accepting people for who they are
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The importance of continuous improvement in business
- The role of engineering mindset in business success
- Understanding and working with different personality types
- The power of listening and being customer-focused
- The value of data-driven decision-making
- Balancing personal and professional goals as a leader
- The impact of inclusivity and diversity in the workplace
- The benefits of taking breaks and prioritizing self-care
- Using data to identify areas for improvement in marketing, sales, HR, and finance
- The importance of testing and adapting strategies for optimal results
Memorable Quotes From Robert Indries
"If the mission is important enough, you will find a way to work with anyone."
CONNECT WITH Robert Indries
Website: https://robertindries.com/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertindries
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobertIndriesOfficial?_rdc=1&_rdr
Twitter: https://twitter.com/robertindries
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Ep 106 Continuously Improving Your Connection to Yourself with Katarina Polonska
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
When I coach and consult, I focus on my clients and their goals and needs. This raises an important question: where am I in that relationship? Katarina Polonska believes that coaching that is successful for the client requires the coach to be connected to herself and that doing so creates energy and strength for the coach. She joined me at the Edges of Lean to share her insights and how she helps her clients connect to themselves.
Katarina Polonska
Katarina Polonska is a transformation coach specializing in relationships. Katarina helps people connect better to themselves so they can connect better to others. In addition, Katerina has a master's degree in gender dynamics from the University of Oxford and has a background in behavioral science and organizational psychology. She is also a mindfulness teacher. Katerina has experienced overcoming challenges and finding her purpose, which led her to become a coach and help others in their journeys of self-discovery and connections.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:04:04 The difference between therapy and coaching
00:08:26 Having a connection to self is essential.
00:15:27 Listen to your inner voice.
00:17:11 The effect of the disconnection from body and intuition.
00:19:21 Conditioning and vulnerability in women
00:21:43 Conditioning of women's bodies.
00:23:04 Anorexia and societal expectations
00:27:20 Connect with your body's wisdom.
00:34:34 Curiosity leads to breakthroughs.
00:37:17 Build self-trust through action.
00:42:56 Reclaim self-trust and listen to intuition.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Building a connection to oneself is essential for personal growth and success.
- Connecting to oneself creates energy and strength, benefiting the individual and their clients.
- Coaching can complement therapy by focusing on the present moment and future goals.
- Coaching helps individuals integrate their past learnings into their current lives.
- The coaching process involves connecting to oneself and being present in the moment.
- Mindfulness practices, such as body scans and grounding exercises, can help individuals connect with themselves.
- Curiosity is a powerful tool for exploring and understanding one's emotions and reactions.
- Taking micro actions based on gut instincts can help build self-trust and strengthen the connection to oneself.
- Building trust in oneself is crucial for making decisions, solving problems, and achieving personal and professional goals.
Memorable Quotes From Katarina Polonska
"The best relationships we can build all start with a solid relationship to our core being and who we are."
CONNECT WITH Katarina Polonska
Website: https://www.katarinapolonska.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-polonsky/
Saturday Sep 30, 2023
Ep 105 Continuously Improving Elections with Kerry L. Bass
Saturday Sep 30, 2023
Saturday Sep 30, 2023
I hope you are a voter! It is such an important civic responsibility. As a continuous improvement professional, have you ever thought about improving the election process to help make everyone confident that elections are secure and fair? Kerry L. Bass has. He is here to share his insight and tell us about some vital continuous improvement work happening in the US around our election process.
Kerry L Bass
Kerry Bass is the CEO and founder of Potential To Reality Consulting, specializing in organizational transformation, operational excellence, and change management.
For over 25 years, Kerry has been leading and supporting transformation and organizational change for governmental agencies.
In addition, he has been bringing changes in commercial and not-for-profit enterprises.
Kerry Bass has received a Master of Business Administration from the Goizueta School of Business at Emory University. Bass has attained a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt Certification as instructed by Dr. Gregory Watson and holds a Project Management Professional certification from PMI.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:05:18 The complexity of election systems
00:12:58 Quality is multi-level and customer-focused.
00:20:19 Election integrity and voter accessibility.
00:21:22 Improving election accessibility is crucial.
00:31:23 Technology can increase voter acceptance.
00:33:11 Management of registration records.
00:38:29 Improving election processes and integrity.
00:42:42 Continuous learning is essential.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Voter participation and civic responsibility are highly significant in the election.
- Voter expectations include fair elections, accurate vote counting, and the prevention of ineligible voters from casting ballots.
- Throughput and accessibility are critical factors in improving elections, such as reducing wait times and ensuring equitable access to polling places.
- Technology, such as electronic voting systems and ballot tracking, can enhance transparency and help voters that their votes are there.
- Elections in the US are run differently from state to state, with each state responsible for administering its elections.
- The complexity and lack of familiarity with the election process contribute to a lack of trust in election results.
Memorable Quotes From Kerry L Bass
"The right to vote is key to the fundamental operations of democracy."
CONNECT WITH Kerry L Bass
Website: https://makingitreality.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrylbass/
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Ep 104 Continuous Improvement and Spanning Leadership with Wanda Wallace
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Ep
Success requires expertise, and today’s work world requires leaders to lead beyond their areas of personal skills. Wanda Wallace calls this “spanning” leadership, and she works with leaders to build their success in leading across functions and domains where they have little expertise. Wanda is the author of "You Can’t Know It All: Leading in the Age of Deep Expertise.” She joined me at the Edges of Lean to share her insights and discuss why spanning leadership is vital for lean leaders.
Wanda Wallace
Dr. Wanda T. Wallace is a renowned leadership coach, facilitator, and speaker with extensive expertise in guiding executives and organizations to improve performance through enhanced communication and collaboration. As managing partner of Leadership Forum, she works closely with clients to foster more effective leadership conversations, break down silos, and build high-functioning teams. With over 25 years of experience spanning corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors, Dr. Wallace is a highly sought-after advisor on critical issues around leadership development, organizational change, cross-boundary collaboration, and diversity and inclusion. She holds a doctorate in organization development and has coached over 100 executives to expand their influence.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:02:04 Better conversations lead to success.
00:03:02 Conversations between leaders and followers.
00:09:27 Blend expertise and Spanning Leadership.
00:13:33 Leaders must be curious.
00:19:26 Build trust through effective communication.
00:22:27 Hub and spoke model limitations.
00:28:40 Listen and understand before responding.
00:30:02 Finding common ground in negotiations
00:32:57 Respect and effective communication matter.
00:39:57 Embrace discomfort for growth.
00:43:38 Find your satisfaction.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Success in today's work world requires leaders to lead beyond their areas of personal expertise.
- Spanning leadership, as coined by Wanda Wallace, is the ability to lead across functions and domains where leaders have little expertise.
- Effective conversations involve dialogue and back-and-forth conversations, rather than one-way communication or giving orders.
- Conversations between peers can be challenging, but it is crucial to collaborate and overcome roadblocks to achieve productive outcomes.
- Spanning leadership requires leaders to understand enough about different domains to have effective conversations and remove roadblocks for their teams.
- Building trust, asking open-ended questions, and finding common ground are the key elements of successful conversations and effective spanning leadership.
Memorable Quotes From Wanda Wallace
"There is no growth in comfort and no comfort in growth."
CONNECT WITH Wanda Wallace
Website: https://www.wandawallace.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wandatwallace/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AskWanda
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeOHP2j2KfeQjQpdHZsVbWA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wanda-wallace-028a798/
Book: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/you-cant-know-it-all-wanda-t-wallace?variant=3211639360720
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Ep 103 Continuous Improvement and Process Science with Sam Drauschak
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Wednesday Sep 06, 2023
Sam Drauschak is a leader in Process Science – his work is to help organizations achieve maximum efficiency in business processes and energy flow. He has even developed a universal process mapping language adopted as the standard for multiple large enterprises globally. Sam joined me at the Edges of Lean to share his insights on process science in the digital age and life in an RV.
Sam Drauschak
Sam Drauschak is the Co-founder and Chief Process Scientist at Truvle, where he leads a team focused on reducing business waste through innovative tools, software, and expert content based on biological efficiency systems. With over a decade of management consulting experience and certifications in Lean, Six Sigma, and Project Management, Sam has worked with major global companies and Silicon Valley clients to simplify and improve operations. Sam is also the author of "Becoming a Conscious Business" and developed the Truvle Mapping Language, adopted by companies worldwide. Sam Drauschak has been featured at institutions like IIBA and Columbia for his expertise in process improvement, cost reduction, and operational redesign. In addition, he was recognized in Top 100 Magazine for his contributions to process mapping.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:02:03 Process science applies the scientific method.
00:06:19 Processes exist everywhere, even in digital services.
00:09:50 Updating process improvement principles.
00:10:13 Process science for virtual companies.
00:14:20 Process mapping is crucial post-COVID.
00:19:23 Impact of human dynamics.
00:20:10 Human dynamics are crucial in process mapping.
00:23:38 Understanding human dynamics in processes.
00:25:18 Clean process maps can be deceptive.
00:31:23 Process language empowers organizations.
00:37:35 Diversity and travel enhance professional growth.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Process science studies processes and systems in the business world approached with the scientific method and rigor.
- Process science involves studying things in motion, including how energy flows through processes.
- Many companies struggle with implementing new technology, cost overruns, and process improvement.
- Process mapping should include the human dynamics of the process, capturing interactions between people, and understanding the politics and drama involved.
- Traveling and experiencing different cultures and environments can enhance a consultant's understanding of people and their processes, making them more effective in their work.
- Practical process work requires open and honest conversations with people to understand their perspectives and behaviors within the process work.
- Governance and decision-making processes are important aspects of process science.
Memorable Quotes From Sam Drauschak
“The more you can learn about different customs, cultures, and types of people, the more you can relate to their struggles, resistance, and engagement at work.”
CONNECT WITH SAM DRAUSCHAK
Website: https://www.truvle.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samdrauschak/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Conscious-Business-Through-Science-ebook
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Ep 102 Continuous Improvement and the Passion for Art with Kevo
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Wednesday Aug 30, 2023
Kevo, a full-time artist who is also a painter, film, and theater producer, and art teacher, joins me here at The Edges of Lean to share his inspiring story of overcoming a troubled childhood, jail time, and a gunshot wound to pursue his passion for art. There is a lot to consider in this conversation for all of us in the continuous improvement world.
Kevo
Kevo, a native of Houston, Texas, is a multifaceted artist with a Master of Fine Arts degree. His creative endeavors encompass a wide range of mediums, including painting and theater production, shining a spotlight on the complexities of race and the human experience. Leading the charge in the artistic realm, Kevo serves as the director of Kevo Arts Studios, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and nurturing the arts. In addition to his role in the nonprofit sector, Kevo imparts his wisdom and expertise as a professor at a prestigious college, boasting an impressive decade-long career as the proprietor of a thriving tattoo studio.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:01:56 Overcoming a troubled childhood.
00:04:32 Starting a tattooing career.
00:10:23 The foundation of art.
00:14:24 Genuine care and encouragement.
00:17:11 Leaving toxic friendships behind.
00:23:06 Believing in your potential.
00:26:00 Unexpected discoveries while running.
00:29:30 African American artists.
00:37:37 Comparing the holocaust and slavery.
00:41:08 Perception of African Americans.
00:44:25 Shifting mindset for personal growth and development.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Changing mentality and taking responsibility are more impactful than dwelling on negative aspects.
- Surrounding oneself with the right people is crucial for personal growth and well-being.
- Changing oneself may require adapting to fit in with new people and leaving behind those who cannot adapt or do not want to change.
- Personal change can impact the people around you, whether in the workplace, home, or social circles.
- Personal growth and improvement can inspire and motivate others to do the same.
- It is vital to consider that behavior and actions can influence others professionally and personally.
- Being mindful of the impact one has on others and striving to be a positive role model can create a ripple effect of positive change.
Memorable Quotes From Kevo Aregbe
“Educate your children about the harsh realities of life because the people in power cannot be relied upon to do so."
CONNECT WITH Kevo Aregbe
Website: https://www.artbykevo.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevo-aregbe-b33ab955/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KevinAregbe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Kevoarts/