Lead the Standard

Lead the Standard

Welcome to Lead the Standard—the podcast that proves ISO management systems and auditing don’t have to be dry, dull, or disconnected from real life. Hosts Jackie and Kelly, bring you honest, practical, and sometimes hilarious conversations from the front lines of systems, standards, and certification. Whether you're just starting out or leading complex audits, you'll get real-world insights, expert interviews, and no-BS advice. Join our global community of curious & passionate ISO leaders who believe work can be fun, leadership can be human, and systems can actually be exciting. RTO #45123.

Episodes

The Real Standard to Lead Now: Reflections from the ASQ World Conference on Quality and Improvement (WCQI)

June 19, 2025 • 53 mins

Mid-Year ISO Health Check: Are You Still on Track? | Lead The Standard 2025 Podcast Episode 20When you think about quality leadership, what comes to mind first? Systems? Standards? Spreadsheets?What if it were something a little more human?This week, we’re reflecting on what leadership in quality looks like right now—and how a global conference full of passionate professionals offered more than just ideas. It provided a glimpse int...

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Mid-Year ISO Health Check: Are You Still on Track?

June 12, 2025 • 39 mins

If you want to avoid nasty surprises, stay on track, and keep your system working for you—not against you—a quick mid-year check-in might be the smartest move you make.

When was the last time you actually looked at your ISO system—like really looked?

Not when the audit was booked. Not when something broke. Just a quick check-in... to see what’s working, what’s not, and where you're heading next.

If that question makes you pause, you’r...

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Working Through Doubt: Leading Beyond Imposter Syndrome

June 5, 2025 • 65 mins
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m not doing enough,” even while you’re holding everything together? You’re ticking boxes, keeping things running, supporting others — and still that little voice creeps in saying, “Are you sure you’re getting this right?”. Welcome to Lead the Standard! In this episode of Lead The Standard, Jackie and Kelly explore the pervasive issue of imposter syndrome, particularly in leadership roles....
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It’s Not Just About Face-to-Face: How ISO Leaders Connect Today

May 11, 2025 • 54 mins
In this episode of Lead the Standard, hosts Kelly Taylor and Jackie Stapleton discuss the evolving nature of leadership and networking in the ISO community. They explore how effective leadership today involves proactive engagement both online and in-person. The episode covers the 'Modern Networking Model,' which includes key areas such as content creation, social engagement, digital connections, and physical meetups. Jackie shares ...
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Auditing ISO 14001:2015: Where to Start and What to Ask

May 4, 2025 • 43 mins
In this episode of Lead The Standard, Kelly Taylor and Jackie Stapleton discuss the challenges and best practices for auditing ISO 14001:2015. Using a plumbing analogy to simplify concepts, they provide insights on where to start, what questions to ask, and how to make sense of the environmental management system (EMS) standard in a real business context. Emphasizing a conversational approach over formal interrogation, they walk th...
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ISO 14001:2015 Isn’t the Problem—How You’re Pitching It Might Be

April 28, 2025 • 61 mins
In this episode of Lead the Standard with Auditor Training Online, we delve into the real challenge of implementing ISO 14001:2015—it's not the standard itself, but how we present it. Join me, Kelly Taylor, as we explore the importance of shifting the narrative from compliance and environmental concerns to tangible business benefits like cost savings and efficiency. I'll share insights from my experiences, including a decade-old st...
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Get Clause 6.1.2 Environmental Aspects Right or Nothing Else Works – ISO 14001:2015

April 20, 2025 • 37 mins
Understanding the Core of ISO 14001:2015 with Clause 6.1.2 In this episode of 'Lead the Standard,' hosts Kelly Taylor and Jackie Stapleton delve into the critical importance of Clause 6.1.2 in ISO 14001:2015, which underpins the entire Environmental Management System (EMS). They discuss how identifying significant environmental aspects influences the planning, operations, evaluation, and improvement stages of the EMS. Through an i...
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ISO 14001:2015 Is Changing – Are You Ready?

April 13, 2025 • 63 mins
In this episode of Lead The Standard, hosts Kelly Taylor and Jackie delve into the latest amendments to ISO 14001:2015, a key standard for environmental management that now includes enhanced guidelines to tackle the challenges of climate change, supply chain resilience, and lifecycle thinking. They discuss the significant changes and what organizations need to do to adapt and future-proof their environmental management systems. Wit...
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Don’t Get Left Behind – Get Ahead of the ISO 9001:2026 Changes

April 7, 2025 • 57 mins
In this episode of 'Lead the Standard,' Kelly and Jackie discuss the anticipated 2026 revision of ISO 9001, the world’s foremost quality management standard. They explore four key areas of change: stronger emphasis on risk-based thinking, the evolution of quality culture, climate change considerations, and the impact of emerging technologies. While the draft has not been publicly released, the discussion includes insights based on ...
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Are You Just Doing ISO, or Are You Leading It?

March 30, 2025 • 62 mins
ISO compliance is essential—but true impact comes from leadership. In this episode, we explore the shift from simply implementing ISO standards to actively leading them. Learn how to develop the influence, strategy, and communication skills needed to drive real change in your organization. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The difference between doing ISO and leading it ✅ How to move beyond technical execution and become a lead...
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Stop Micromanaging Your ISO System and Start Leading With Influence

March 23, 2025 • 34 mins
Shifting from Micromanagement to Influential Leadership in ISO Systems In this solo episode of Lead the Standard, Jackie Stapleton tackles common struggles faced by ISO professionals, particularly the challenges of micromanaging ISO systems. Jackie explores the critical shift from micromanagement to an influence-based leadership approach, providing practical strategies to help ISO leaders focus on what they can control and influen...
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15 Nonconformances Before an Audit? Here’s Why That’s a Win

March 16, 2025 • 58 mins
In this episode of Lead the Standard with Auditor Training Online, I explore why having 15 nonconformances before an audit is actually a win. Often perceived as a negative, nonconformances are a powerful tool for continual improvement and transparency. I discuss how logging these issues doesn't indicate failure but showcases a well-functioning system. Inspired by a conversation with a client concerned about nonconformances, I expla...
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When I Thought I’d Seen It All – Then Came Clause 8 of ISO 22000

March 4, 2025 • 49 mins
In this episode of 'Lead the Standards,' hosts Kelly Taylor and Jackie delve into the extensive and intricate Clause 8 of ISO 22000, which serves as a comprehensive framework for food safety. They break down the clause into four quadrants: Operational Control and PRPs, Monitoring, Verification, and Nonconformity Control, Risk and Hazard Management, and Emergency Preparedness and Response. The discussion provides insights into why C...
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ISO 22000: A Beginner’s Journey Into Food Safety Standards

February 27, 2025 • 62 mins
Join me, Kelly Taylor, on Lead the Standard with Auditor Training Online as we embark on a beginner's journey into ISO 22000: Food Safety Management Systems. If you've worked with ISO 9001, 14001, or 45001, you'll find some familiar ground, but food safety introduces unique challenges. This episode delves into HACCP principles, supply chain risks, and the essential components of ISO 22000. Discover what sets it apart, what aligns w...
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Exploring Annex A: My First Steps With ISO 27001 Controls

February 16, 2025 • 57 mins
Demystifying Annex A: First Steps in Understanding ISO 27001 Controls In this episode of 'Leading the Standard,' hosts Kelly Taylor and Jackie Stapleton delve into Annex A of ISO 27001, breaking down the intimidating list of 93 controls into accessible and relatable components. They explore four main categories: organizational controls, people controls, physical controls, and technological controls. Jackie shares insights and anec...
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Exploring ISO 27001: Foundational Concepts From a Beginner for Beginners

February 9, 2025 • 59 mins
In this episode of Lead the Standard, hosts Kelly Taylor and Jackie Stapleton dive into ISO 27001, exploring its relevancy and foundational concepts for beginners. They discuss ISO 27001 principles, risk management, the ISMS framework, Annex A controls, and the PDCA cycle. Jackie recounts her journey of writing about ISO 27001 from a beginner's perspective, questioning if one needs an IT background to understand and implement it. T...
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Five Powerful Lessons Learned to Shape Your Best Year Yet

February 3, 2025 • 55 mins
In this episode of Lead the Standard, we look back at five important lessons from last year and how they can help make 2025 even better. These lessons come from real experiences and can guide anyone looking to grow in their career and personal life. Key lessons include: ✅ Collaboration – Asking for help and working with others leads to better results. ✅ Community – Surrounding yourself with the right people makes a big difference....
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ISO Careers Uncovered – Where Could You Fit In

January 26, 2025 • 59 mins
This episode of Lead the Standard explores the exciting and often-overlooked career opportunities within the ISO industry. Inspired by LTS Newsletter #2025_03, this episode delves into LinkedIn's Jobs on the Rise report for 2025, where the role of Quality Coordinator ranks as one of the fastest-growing jobs. This report highlights how ISO careers are gaining recognition, even though most people don’t grow up dreaming of becoming IS...
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The Secret to Building Real Confidence? It's a Cycle, Not a Gift

January 19, 2025 • 47 mins
In this episode of Lead the Standard, we dive into the transformative concept of the Confidence Growth Cycle. Inspired by insights from LTS Newsletter #2025_02: https://email.auditortrainingonline.com/lead-the-standard-2025-02 this episode unpacks how genuine confidence is cultivated through a continuous cycle of Preparation, Action, and Reflection—not something we’re simply born with. Key topics covered include: • Preparation as ...
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Breaking Free from the ISO Career Hamster Wheel: A Framework for Real Change

January 13, 2025 • 50 mins
Welcome to our first podcast of 2025! In this episode of Lead the Standard, Inspired by insights from LTS Newsletter #2025_01: https://email.auditortrainingonline.com/lead-the-standard-2025-01 we talk about a feeling many of us can relate to—being stuck on a career hamster wheel. It’s that sense of running and working hard, but not really making progress. We explore why this happens and how you can take steps to break free and mak...
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