Lean Blog Interviews - Healthcare, Manufacturing, Business, and Leadership

Embracing the Lean Mindset in GE Aerospace: A Conversation With Two Leaders

Episode page with transcript and more: https://leanblog.org/487
In today’s episode, we’re joined by two Lean leaders from GE Aerospace:
Sam Ruehle, Lean Operations Leader, Lean Transformation Team
Greg Pothoff, Executive Director – Business Management Aviation Supply Chain 
I interviewed them after the GE Lean Mindset event that was held last month in New York.  Two separate conversations, but common themes — and the same questions of two Lean leaders at different stages of their careers, Sam being a recent college graduate and Greg having 25 years of Lean experience, starting first in the auto industry (which is actually where I first met him 20 years ago).
I asked the same core questions, found below, but each conversation is unique as we learn about their roles at GE and their reactions to the Lean Mindset event.
Sam emphasizes the importance of the Lean mindset as being framed by three essential pillars: Respect for People, Continuous Improvement, and Customer Focus. As a young leader, she combines this Lean mindset with a touch of humility, an open mind, and an emphasis on collective problem-solving to catalyze impactful changes.
One of Greg's core beliefs is the importance of focusing on the smaller, incremental changes in addition to the larger, more noticeable ones. He also stresses the need for establishing a blame-free learning environment, where employees are encouraged to experiment, make mistakes, and more importantly, learn from them.
Questions, Notes, and Highlights:
How would you describe a "Lean Mindset"?
What is an underappreciated aspect of the "Lean Mindset"?
What surprised you most about the Lean Mindset event?
What advice would you have for others about developing a "Lean Mindset"?
What is one change you have had to personally make to lead in this way?
The podcast is sponsored by Stiles Associates, now in its 30th year of business. They are the go-to Lean recruiting firm serving the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare industries. Learn more.
This podcast was also brought to you by Arena, a PTC Business. Arena is the proven market leader in Cloud Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) with over 1,400 customers worldwide. Visit the link arenasolutions.com/lean to learn more about how Arena can help speed product releases with one connected system.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.

Mike Kaeding, CEO of Norhart, on Revolutionizing the Housing Industry with Lean

Episode page with transcript, links, and more: https://leanblog.org/486
My guest for Episode #486 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Mike Kaeding, the CEO of Norhart.
They design, build, and rent apartments. They are transforming the way this is done by incorporating technologies and techniques that have revolutionized other industries. This has resulted in improved quality and reduced cost of housing. Ultimately, they are committed to solving America's housing shortage and affordability crisis. And in doing so they hope to improve the way we all live. 
He was previously (May 2023) a guest with me on the My Favorite Mistake podcast.
In today's episode, learn how Kaeding's company, Norhart, applies Lean practices to uplift the housing sector. Their compelling ambition to bridge the labor productivity gap between manufacturing and construction industries lies at the heart of their Lean journey.
From their unique recruitment strategies to their effective lean techniques, Norhart aspires to reshape the housing industry. Kaeding outlines their intrusion on tradition by focusing on continuous improvement rather than mere experience. Discover how their Lean approach emphasizes flow in both construction processes and material delivery, spotlighting Norhart's determination to overhaul established construction norms.
Questions, Notes, and Highlights:
High-reaching mission — similar to Toyota
“The way we've always done it”?? How do you encourage everybody to get past that?
Hiring people who are willing to be different? How to do that?
How do you then maximize their potential?
The appeal of culture in hiring and recruiting?
Netflix “keeper test”?
“We want that person to be happier with us after firing…”
How to balance the right timing of hiring with growth?
Balancing jobs — cycle times and flows across trades? Material flow and synchronizing that
Toyota helping you on JIT — how to find this balance with long lead time or bad availability??
Mike on the My Favorite Mistake podcast
What's your Lean origin story? For you and Norhart?
“Not knowing what I'm doing…” was a benefit
Working with TSSC?
How did they help you frame or choose that initial problem to solve?
“Problems are not a bad thing”
Your role as CEO? Creating that psychological safety?
Wanting to be the best at what you do? You as a CEO? What does that mean to you?
The podcast is sponsored by Stiles Associates, now in its 30th year of business. They are the go-to Lean recruiting firm serving the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare industries. Learn more.
This podcast was also brought to you by Arena, a PTC Business. Arena is the proven market leader in Cloud Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) with over 1,400 customers worldwide. Visit the link arenasolutions.com/lean to learn more about how Arena can help speed product releases with one connected system.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 

Erica Lee Garcia on Navigating Change, Suggestion Programs, and More

Episode page with transcript and more
Erica Lee Garcia is an entrepreneur, engineer and leader who has managed to create a positive impact in the engineering profession.
Topics in this episode include:
Her lean origin story
Lessons from running a suggestion program for 2.5 years
Shifting to mining, not just a new company but a new industry
Engineers Without Borders participation
For close to a decade now, Erica has been working to tell better stories about engineering so that kids can make better decisions about this little known career path and make them feel welcome in the profession. Her deliberate method of mixing empathy and compassion with real-world experience enables her to tell authentic and relevant stories in a way that is relate-able to everyone listening.
Working as the Chair of her local PEO Chapter, she empowers fellow professionals and impacts change from within.
She also has a unique perspective, having spent years working in the automotive and mining industries as an engineer, and the moving on to become an entreprenuer - starting three companies of her own.
Erica Lee Consulting - supporting businesses implement Lean Six Sigma
Engineer Your Life - coaching new grads through the often stressful and confusing time as they enter the engineering profession
Engineers of Tomorrow - a nationally incorporated not-for-profit which takes a grass-roots approach at delivering engineering outreach to kids
Erica also contributes her insights as a 30 by 30 Champion - an initiative to increase the percentage of licensed female engineers is Canada to 30% by 2030.

Bonus: The GE Lean Mindset Event Post-Game Show Discussion

Episode page with transcript and more
Featuring James P. (Jim) Womack, Katie Anderson, Jamie V Parker, and Mark Graban.
There's more to come from me, Katie, and Jamie about the day. 
Jamie's podcast is "Lean Leadership for Ops Managers."
Katie's new podcast is called "Chain of Learning." - Coming soon
Videos from the GE Lean Mindset sessions: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxRhTjvLlyoIh7CVg51ZIM5hRl5XOjlgl
**A Candid Conversation on Lean Thinking: Breaking Down the Lean Mindset with Industry Experts**
Join us as we delve into a Deep Dive bonus episode of "Lean Blog Interviews," focusing on the intricacies of Lean Thinking. The thought-provoking analysis of the Lean Mindset is led by four esteemed panelists — Mark Graban, Katie Anderson, Jim Womack, and Jamie V. Parker — who share their takeaways from the 'GE Lean Mindset' event. 
Central to Lean Thinking is the relentless pursuit of improvement — a belief that stands tall even amidst failings and setbacks. Coupled with the embracing of failure as a fundamental part of the learning process, the idea of never-ending improvement underscores the Lean Mindset. The panelists share their thoughts and experiences revolving around these integral components of Lean Thinking.

Keith Ingels on Developing Your People and Making Lean / TPS Your Own

Episode page with transcript and more
My guest for Episode #484 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Keith Ingels, who previously joined us in Episode 390. He's the RLM Manager of Solutions & Support Centers — RLM being the Raymond Lean Management system.
He was also a guest with me for Episode 62 of “My Favorite Mistake.” His story and insights were also featured in Chapter 8 of my book, The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation.
In today's episode, we discuss how the Raymond Corporation makes Lean / TPS their own management system, even while being under the Toyota corporate umbrella. RLM focuses on developing people and that starts with leaders. Why does a culture of continuous improvement start with small steps and not requiring ROI calculations for every improvement? We discuss how kaizen participation rates are a leading indicator of employee morale and how absenteeism and turnover are lagging indicators. We talk about that and more…
“Critique the process, not the people.”
Questions, Notes, and Highlights:
Tell us about Raymond Corporation and its place within Toyota Industries
The fit of products with Toyota branded forklifts?
Back in 2020 your title was TPS Manager — has some of the language evolved?
Minor differences? More English words, advising customers to do that and to own their own system
TPS House – foundations
Flow AND quality 
Helping people unlearn??
“It's about developing your people” —
If you can see a problem, you can solve a problem
“Critique the process, not the people”
Assumptions vs. real knowledge
“What are you hoping to achieve?” vs. “what problem are you trying to solve?”
Coat hooks – not requiring ROI? – starting with small steps
“You can't put a meter on morale”
Utilizing fresh eyes and new employees for Kaizen
“problem seeing eyes”
Making it safe — problem speaking mouths?
How to help people feel safe to speak up?
Tell us about your “Microburst teaching” approach… 
“You have to reinvent that safe environment every day” (psych safety)
How do leaders cultivate the conditions for people to learn from mistakes? Same habits for building trust and kaizen? Anything different?
The podcast is sponsored by Stiles Associates, now in its 30th year of business. They are the go-to Lean recruiting firm serving the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare industries. Learn more.
This podcast was also brought to you by Arena, a PTC Business. Arena is the proven market leader in Cloud Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) with over 1,400 customers worldwide. Visit the link arenasolutions.com/lean to learn more about how Arena can help speed product releases with one connected system.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 

Amanda Zimmerman & Dominic Stokes Discuss ”Squishy Lean”

Episode page with transcript and more
For episode 483, we are joined today by Amanda Zimmerman + Dominic Stokes, two Lean Six Sigma professionals who co-host a new podcast called “Squishy Lean.”
Amanda Zimmerman is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with a global background. Amanda has worked in Oil and Gas, Software, and in a variety of industries all over the world mentoring professionals in Continuous Improvement. She holds an MBA from Imperial College of London. In 2020 she launched Beautiful Opportunities, aiming to empower people in continuous improvement worldwide and make it easy for people to start applying the tools.
Dominic is an industrial engineer with a background in manufacturing engineering and management consulting. Ever since he first learned about lean manufacturing principles, Dom has looked for more opportunities in and outside of work to learn and practice. His overall goal is to find ways to convert commercial lean tools to residential uses. When he isn't learning about lean, he is spending time with his wife and dog or cutting his hair.
In today's episode, we discuss their Lean origin stories (or Six Sigma then Lean or Lean Six Sigma). We also talk about the origins of their podcast, using Lean methods at home, the power of experimenting, and helping people not feel bad about making mistakes when they're doing something new.
Questions, Notes, and Highlights:
Harder to define what's a “Six Sigma culture” compared to a “Lean culture”?
The psychological safety required to point out problems and try things
Laundry — smaller batches… eliminating the time spent sorting / pulling apart
Why someone is in the middle or anti-Lean?
Experiments that led to the podcast?
How did you two meet? – Lean Portland
How did the podcast come to be?
What's squishy lean?
How to not let things get “too squishy”?
“More important to experiment… than to do it perfectly”
How to make it easier for people get started with C.I.?
My blog post about lessons from personal trainer
How to help them feel they aren't making a mistake when new? A focus on learning not punishment?
You mentioned using Lean at home… after learning it at work…
Dominic – wants to convert “commercial grade lean” for use at home… to have people learning lean at home… as kids… and then bring to workplace?
The podcast is sponsored by Stiles Associates, now in its 30th year of business. They are the go-to Lean recruiting firm serving the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare industries. Learn more.
This podcast was also brought to you by Arena, a PTC Business. Arena is the proven market leader in Cloud Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) with over 1,400 customers worldwide. Visit the link arenasolutions.com/lean to learn more about how Arena can help speed product releases with one connected system.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 

Audiobook Sample: ”The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation”

Hey audiobook fans! The audiobook version of my book is available now!
It's just over five hours long, professionally produced, and read by me.
It's available through:
Amazon
Audible – free with a trial membership
Apple Books
If you're one of the first 3 people to email me (mark@leanblog.org) and you live in the US or UK, I'll email you a code to get a free copy of the audiobook via Audible.
 

”Kata Girl Geek” Gemma Jones on Lean, Improvement, and Mental Health

Episode page with video, transcript, and more 
CONTENT WARNING: Today's episode includes discussions about a death by suicide and mental health issues. Help is available. In the U.S., call 988. In the U.K., call 116 123. These calls are free from any phone.
My guest for Episode #482 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Gemma Jones.
Gemma is an Improvement Coach, Trainer, and Visual Facilitator, based in the UK and working globally. Gemma started her career in Engineering and quickly found a passion for Improvement. She spent 20 years in Manufacturing across numerous industries, then in 2018 she left employment to build her own business. Gemma's mission is to help organisations and individuals be the BEST they can be, by helping people SEE, helping people THINK, and helping people CHANGE.
In today's episode, Gemma brings up important topics related to Lean and mental health, and we discuss parallels between "mental health first aid" and physical first aid. How can we learn how to help others when they might be struggling? What signs should we look for?
We also discuss her origin story in Lean and Continuous Improvement, the POWER of coaching and asking questions, how the Kata Girl Geeks global group started and grown over the past 3 years, and how her mission now is to encourage and enable the global community of CI Practitioners and Leaders to actively tune in to HELP people.
Questions, Notes, and Highlights:
What's your Lean / C.I. origin story??
Tell us about that Kata Girl Geeks
Tracy Defoe – Episode 467
Coaching and asking questions?
The benefits of having groups for women?
You're very interested in the overlap in mental health and continuous improvement… you did a keynote talk recently on this… tell us about that.
We don't know really that much about the totality of people's lives, stress, and other factors
Got trained in “mental health first aid“
What signs might you look for? Who needs mental health first aid if somebody's not asking for it?
Good ways of bringing up this up with people?
“I noticed you're not seeming yourself…”
Value Stream / Process Mapping and asking people to add emojis 
How are you helping people on this topic and incorporated into C.I.?
Why avoid the question why? Defensiveness
Incorporating this into workplace safety discussions and focus? A broader view of safety?
Parallels to physical first aid
Website – resources page for C.I. — “how to help”
Free training recommended by Gemma
The podcast is sponsored by Stiles Associates, now in its 30th year of business. They are the go-to Lean recruiting firm serving the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare industries. Learn more.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 

George Saiz on ”We Started With Respect” and His Career Focused on Improvement

Episode page with video, transcript, and more
My guest for Episode #481 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is George Saiz.
As a coach, writer, and speaker, George Saiz actively promotes enterprise excellence through a people-centric culture to the next generation of leaders. 
In his new business novel, We Started with Respect, he shares from his executive experience in the medical device industry and the many best-practices sites he visited as president and CEO of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence. He is retired and currently resides with his wife in Carlsbad, California.
Questions, Notes, and Highlights:
What's your Lean origin story?
The Goal — a business novel
The leader going first with the learning??
Compliance vs Commitment 
Using Lean as business problem solving vs. tools for operations?
Exposure then to Lean / TPS?
The need to focus on process AND people (culture)
What aspects of Lean don't work without a high enough level of mutual trust?
Gallup surveys show that two out of three employees are disengaged to some degree –causes or root causes?
Examples of companies that invest well in supervisor and manager training?
The need to DESIGN culture?
Tim Clark's podcast, “Culture by Design“
Tearing down the walls — starts with executive leadership team
Looking back — key Influences and mentors?
The podcast is sponsored by Stiles Associates, now in its 30th year of business. They are the go-to Lean recruiting firm serving the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare industries. Learn more.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 
 

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