Why They Fail ... and the Simple Key to Success!

Why They Fail ... and the Simple Key to Success!

Tired of watching continuous improvement efforts crash and burn? So are we. "Why They Fail" dives headfirst into the brutal truth behind failed Lean Six Sigma deployments, exposing the myths, the mistakes, and the outright absurdities that plague organizations worldwide. Forget the sugar-coated success stories—we're here to dissect the disasters, from executives who think training is optional to lone Green Belts drowning in unrealistic expectations. But it's not all doom and gloom. We'll also reveal the surprisingly simple key to unlocking sustainable success: ditching the quick fixes and building a rock-solid foundation. Buckle up, because this podcast is a no-holds-barred, reality check that will transform the way you think about continuous improvement.

Episodes

October 8, 2025 36 mins

Cracking the Code of a Continuous Improvement Culture 

Building a lasting continuous improvement culture is one of the biggest challenges for any company. Studies show that more than 90% of these efforts fail or fade within 18 months. This happens not because of the tools but because teams misunderstand what it really takes to buil...

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Lean Six Sigma in Healthcare: Lessons from Eddie Conklin

Welcome to the latest episode of Why They Fail podcast. In this episode, host Kevin Clay speaks with Eddie Conklin, a veteran of continuous improvement with over 40 years of experience in both manufacturing and healthcare. Eddie shares how early lessons from factory floors sh...

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Shainin: The Problem-Solving Method You Haven't Heard Of

Welcome to the show notes for the "Why They Fail" podcast. In this episode, host Kevin Clay introduces a powerful and lesser-known precursor to Six Sigma. He sits down with Brian St. Pierre, an expert in Shainin Red X Problem Solving, to explore this unique methodology. You’ll ...

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"Lip Service" Leadership in Six Sigma: Why CI Efforts Fail 

Have you ever been part of a promising continuous improvement initiative that just... fizzled out? The energy was high, the goals were set, but somewhere along the way, it lost steam and failed to deliver results. The problem often isn't the methodology or the team; it's a d...

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Army Six Sigma Black Belt Project Eliminates Waste

In this episode of Why They Fail, host Kevin Clay speaks with U.S. Army Officer Edriece Patterson about his Army Six Sigma Black Belt project. The discussion highlights how Lean Six Sigma methodologies solve complex non-manufacturing challenges inside a military environment.

Edr...

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Stop 'Doing' Six Sigma (and Start Actually Fixing Things!)

Tired of watching continuous improvement efforts fall flat? In this powerful episode of "Why They Fail," host Kevin Clay sits down with the legendary six sigma pioneer Mike Carnell, who was there for its genesis at Motorola. If you feel like your company is just going throu...

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Why They Fail!, Episode #6 - LEAN "Snake Oil", the LEAN Only Approach

Welcome back to "Why They Fail," the podcast that dissects the real reasons continuous improvement initiatives don't last. In this episode, host Kevin Clay tackles a pervasive and damaging trend he calls LEAN Snake Oil. Have you been told that LEAN is the one and...

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July 6, 2025 17 mins

Why They Fail!, Episode #5 - The "One-Hit Wonders"

Have you ever watched your company invest heavily in training Lean Six Sigma Green Belts, only to see their impact vanish after one project? In this episode, host Kevin Clay examines this costly “one-hit wonder” syndrome. He explains why organizations train these champions then acc...

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Why They Fail!, Episode #4 – “Why Capability?…”

Welcome to “Why They Fail,” the podcast that dissects the downfall of continuous improvement initiatives. Your host, Kevin Clay, a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with over 25 years of experience and a mentor at Six Sigma Development Solutions, is here to delive...

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June 20, 2025 15 mins
 

Why They Fail!, Episode #3 – Beware of the Paper Belt!

Welcome to “Why They Fail,” the podcast that dissects why continuous improvement efforts often derail. Your host, Kevin Clay, a seasoned Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, is here to expose the truth behind leadership agendas and short-sighted decisions tha...

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Why They Fail!, Episode #2 – Is Your CI Just a “Fad Diet”?

Welcome to “Why They Fail,” the podcast that meticulously examines the reasons behind continuous improvement failures and offers a blueprint for lasting success! In this episode, titled “Is Your Continuous Improvement Program Just a “Fad Diet” for Your Business?“your host, Kevin Clay, a seasoned Lean S...

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Why They Fail! Podcast, Episode #1 - Why CI Efforts Fail.

Welcome to the very first episode of "WTF!" - Why They Fail! Join host Kevin Clay, a seasoned Master Black Belt and President of Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc., as he pulls back the curtain on the frustrating reality: over 90% of Continuous Improvement (CI) efforts ul...

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