The Lean Solutions Podcast

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Andy Olrich and guest Hessam Vali discuss the importance of aligning leadership with personal and organizational values. Hessam shares his journey of self-reflection and the impact of a pivotal moment with a CEO. They discuss practical steps for embedding purpose, such as documenting values, integrating them into daily operations, and fostering a culture of vulnerability and trust. H...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Shane Daughenbaugh, Andy Olrich, and guest Jason Jackson discuss the concept of the Silicon Prairie and its growing tech innovation. Jason shares his leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of agility, self-awareness, and continuous improvement. They highlight the success of Nebraska's Center of Operational Excellence (COE) in fostering a culture of continuous improvem...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Shane Daughenbaugh, and guest Lindsay Shababy discuss the importance of empathy in Lean transformation in healthcare. The emphasize the need to see the world through others' eyes, especially in healthcare where staff often face burnout and systemic challenges. They highlight the balance between empathy and accountability, using practical examples like improving patient flow from the ...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Catherine McDonald, Shane Daughenbaugh, and guest Randy Kesterson discuss the integration of AI with Lean thinking on the Lean Solutions Podcast. They emphasize the importance of maintaining human judgment and involvement in the process. They also discuss the need for accurate data collection and the potential for AI to transform workplaces, urging leaders to embrace AI to stay relev...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Patrick Adams, Shane Daughenbaugh, and guest Scott Gauvin discuss how the principle of "respect for people" goes beyond individual actions to become an organizational-wide practice that fosters culture transformation, engagement, and continuous improvement. They explore strategies for leaders to cultivate a learning culture, emphasizing active listening, transparency, and coa...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Patrick Adams and Catherine McDonald as they discuss the importance of reframing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a negative event.

About the Hosts:

Catherine McDonald is a Lean and Leadership Coach. Her work involves training and coaching executives and teams in organizations of all types and sizes. In 2018, Catherine started her own business- MCD Consulti...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, hosts Shayne Daughenbaugh, Catherine McDonald, and  guest Cheryl Jekiel discuss the transition from using Lean as a collection of tools to embedding it into behavioral perspective. They emphasize the importance of behavioral change over tool implementation and highlight the need for clear vision, peer support, and top-down alignment to drive sustainable change.

About the Guest:

...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, hosts Shayne Daughenbaugh, Andy Olrich, and guest Steve Spear discuss the evolution of industry, emphasizing the importance of cultural shifts driven by Lean thinking. They interview Steve Spears, a senior lecturer at MIT Sloan, who highlights the role of innovation in organizational transformation.

About the Guest:

Steve Spear is a senior lecturer at MIT Sloan, founder of t...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, hosts Catherine McDonald, Shayne Daughenbaugh, and guest Sam Yankelevitch discuss the importance of respectful delegation in leadership. They highlight the significance of clarity, accountability, and continuous coaching in delegation. Together, they elaborate on the "commitment conversation" framework, which includes defining tasks, acknowledging uncertainties, and regular follow-ups...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, hosts Patrick Adams, Shayne Daughenbaugh, and guest Jason Schroeder discuss the importance of core values in leadership, particularly in the construction industry. Schroeder shares his journey from a command-and-control leadership style to a more collaborative approach, highlighting the significance of a clean, organized, and safe work environment.

About the Guest:

Jason Sch...

What You’ll Learn:
Are you learning about improvement or actually doing it?

In this episode, host Patrick Adams is joined by continuous improvement leader Brian DeVries to dig into the power of hands-on learning and why lectures alone just don’t cut it. From the shop floor to the boardroom, real growth happens when you roll up your sleeves and apply what you’ve heard. Whether you're training teams or leveling up your ow...

What You’ll Learn:

Join us for this Speaker Special featuring Billy Ray Taylor, with hosts Patrick Adams and Andy Olrich. They discuss Billy Ray Taylor's keynote presentation from the 2024 Lean Solutions Summit, and dive into the importance of standards in leadership, using personal anecdotes and sports metaphors to illustrate his points.

About the Guest:

Billy Ray Taylor is a visionary operations and supply c...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, hosts Catherine McDonald, Patrick Adams, and guest Olaf Boettger discuss the importance of coaching for success, particularly in developing and mentoring emerging leaders. They highlight the need for leaders to unlearn harmful behaviors and adapt to new leadership styles.

About the Guest:

With 26 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, our guest brings a wealth of kno...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, hosts Catherine McDonald, Andy Olrich, and guest Leire Martinez discuss the importance of sustaining culture and connection in organizations. They emphasize that culture is crucial for continuous improvement and can vary across different departments and regions.

About the Guest:

With a strong Lean Six Sigma background, she is experienced as an Operations Director managing mu...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, hosts Shayne Daughenbaugh, Catherine McDonald, and guest Sebastian McLeod, discuss the importance of frontline leaders in driving organizational change. Sebastian McLeod, CEO of TrippNT, shares his company's journey from a basement startup to an industry leader, emphasizing the significance of frontline workers and the impact of Lean principles.

About the Guest:

Sebastian Mc...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, hosts Shayne Daughenbaugh, Patrick Adams, and guest Micki Vandeloo, discuss the transition from a learning culture to actual capability in organizations. They highlight the importance of applying learning to real-world applications and the role of leadership in fostering this culture.

About the Guest:

Micki is the President of Lakeview Consulting, Inc., leading a team of fiv...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, hosts Shayne Daughenbaugh, Andy Olrich, and guest Royden Johnson, discuss the importance of vulnerability and courage in leadership. Royden Johnson emphasized the need for leaders to move from imitation to differentiation to embrace vulnerability effectively.

About the Guest:

Royden Johnson is a distinguished manufacturing leader with extensive experience spanning diverse in...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, hosts Patrick Adams, Catherine McDonald, and guest Vince Lanni, discuss the power of curiosity in business improvement. Vince, a restaurant consultant, emphasizes the importance of curiosity in problem-solving and team engagement.

About the Guest:

Vince helps bars and restaurants make more money, faster — guaranteed. After a successful career opening and improving some of the most prominent...

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, hosts Shayne Daughenbaugh, Catherine McDonald, and guest Patrick Gaughan discuss the balance of structure and creativity in continuous improvement. They emphasize the importance of leadership, data-driven decision-making, and empowering employees through rapid improvement workshops.

About the Guest:

With 33 years of experience at a Fortune 100 company, he held various leadership roles in En...