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

Why Continuous Improvement Leaders Pick Crap Projects

https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pg4puhMBgDeslvLOavqtj https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1815368583 https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80df90bb-a743-4170-afa7-8b4dd6bf0992/why-they-fail-and-the-simple-key-to-success WHY CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT LEADERS PICK CRAP PROJECTS Most continuous improvement programs fail within 18 months. The reason is almost always the same: leadership started by avoiding bad Six Sigma projects the wrong way. Instead of using data, they used gut feeling. In this episode of the Why They Fail Podcast, host Kevin Clay sits down with 40-year CI veteran Wade Harper. Together, they expose the systemic failures behind poor project selection. More importantly, they show what a disciplined, data-driven deployment actually looks like. Wade's career is built on real-world results. He engineered nuclear weapons components under Six Sigma pioneer Michael Harry at AlliedSignal. He then rose to Master Black Belt roles at Ford and Honeywell. Additionally, he led the largest Lean Six Sigma deployment in U.S. Army history. All resources, tools, and links discussed in this episode are available at Wade's website: https://ameripie.com/ [https://ameripie.com/] WHY LEADERS FAIL AT SIX SIGMA PROJECT SELECTION Avoiding bad Six Sigma projects starts with understanding why good leaders make poor choices. Most executive teams do not lack ambition. However, they consistently avoid the hard work of establishing clear performance standards. As a result, corporate deployments measure success using vanity metrics. Total people trained. Total certifications issued. These numbers look impressive. Unfortunately, they say nothing about bottom-line value created. A newly appointed CI practitioner then gets sent off to tackle arbitrary projects. There is no data infrastructure. There is no clear problem statement. Therefore, the project is set up to fail before it begins. Every project charter must be grounded in hard numbers. That is the foundation of avoiding bad Six Sigma projects. Emotion and workplace pain are not valid starting points for a deployment strategy. HOW TO IDENTIFY THE TRUE PROCESS CONSTRAINT One of the most costly mistakes in any CI deployment is optimizing a non-bottleneck step. For example, fixing step three in a seven-step process may look compelling in a presentation. However, if step three is not the true constraint, output at the door does not change. The financial return is zero. Furthermore, when baseline data is absent, executives default to a destructive pattern. They begin managing people instead of managing process capabilities. Consequently, employees get blamed for failures that are actually structural and systemic. Shingo-style process mapping is one of the most effective tools for solving this problem. It separates flow from work in a way that traditional value stream mapping does not. As a result, transactional and service teams gain the granular visibility needed to isolate defects before they move downstream. KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR AVOIDING BAD SIX SIGMA PROJECTS Applying these principles consistently is what separates high-performing CI programs from failed ones. First, every project charter must be grounded in baseline operational data, not emotion or workplace pain. Second, program success must be measured by bottom-line value created, not headcount trained or certified. Third, optimizing a non-bottleneck step yields zero financial return. Therefore, finding the true constraint must come first. Fourth, Shingo-style mapping separates flow from work, revealing defects that value stream maps consistently miss. Fifth, stabilizing process capabilities stops leadership from defaulting to blame when results fall short. PODCAST CHAPTERS 00:02 Introduction and Wade Harper's 40-Year CI Background 02:55 Learning from Six Sigma Founder Michael Harry at AlliedSignal 05:06 Shingo Mapping vs. Value Stream Mapping in Service Environments 07:49 Using Visual Mapping and Red Yarn to Trace Defect Origins 08:56 Deploying Shingo Mapping for the U.S. Army Hiring Process 10:15 The Easy Button and the Rise of Unverified Paper Belts 12:23 The Threat of AI Cheating on Proctored Certification Exams 16:52 Screening Methods for Hiring True CI Experts 21:08 Why Leadership Teams Pick Bad Projects Based on Emotion 24:16 Transitioning from Managing People to Managing Process Capabilities 25:05 Scoping Product Attributes and Tube Dimensions Over End Scrap Results 29:18 Overcoming Executive Lip Service and Establishing Accountability 31:15 The New CI Guy Trap and Failing Without Infrastructure 34:29 The Danger of Blanket Layoffs vs. Understanding Process Workloads FREE BOOK Over 90% of continuous improvement efforts fail or quit within 18 months. Kevin's book explains exactly why, and what to do instead. Grab a free copy of "Why They Fail and the Simple Key to Success" here: https://sixsigmadsi.com/product/why-they-fail-free-copy/ ABOUT SIX SIGMA DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS This episode of "Why They Fail" is brought to you by Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc., providing "Operational Excellence" Around the Globe! Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc. offers comprehensive Lean Six Sigma certification training, accredited by the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) as an Authorized Training Organization. They have transformed over 100 organizations in 52 countries and achieved $100M USD in savings through Lean Six Sigma, certifying over 4000 practitioners. Their partners include Aerojet Rocketdyne, Dropbox, and Mercy Health, among others. Key Certification Training: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-green-belt/ ) Lean Six Sigma Black Belt ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-black-belt/ ) Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-yellow-belt/ ) LEAN Certification ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/lean-certification/ ) Flexible options: self-paced online, live virtual, or in-person at any of 52 training centers worldwide, including a free White Belt course. What is LEAN? ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-lean/ ) What Is Six Sigma? ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-six-sigma/ ) What is a Green Belt? ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-green-belt/ ) What is a Black Belt? ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-black-belt/ ) What is a Yellow Belt? ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-yellow-belt/ ) Contact us: https://sixsigmadsi.com/contact-us/ or call 866-922-6566

Fear and Loathing: The Danger of Numerical Goals

https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pg4puhMBgDeslvLOavqtj https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1815368583 https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80df90bb-a743-4170-afa7-8b4dd6bf0992/why-they-fail-and-the-simple-key-to-success FEAR AND LOATHING: THE DANGER OF NUMERICAL GOALS In this episode of the Why They Fail Podcast, we take on one of the biggest traps in modern management: the obsession with numerical goals. Dr. W. Edwards Deming warned against this decades ago in his famous Point 11, which calls for the elimination of management by objectives. Today, those warnings still apply. Our guest is John Dyer, bestselling author of The Facade of Excellence and a Master Black Belt who spent decades at General Electric and Ingersoll Rand. John has also written many articles for IndustryWeek magazine, which you can read here: https://www.industryweek.com/home/contact/22028785/john-dyer [https://www.industryweek.com/home/contact/22028785/john-dyer] He also hosts the Behind the Curtain: Adventures in Continuous Improvement podcast on IndustryWeek: https://www.industryweek.com/podcasts/behind-the-curtain [https://www.industryweek.com/podcasts/behind-the-curtain] John explains how the focus on hitting numbers breeds fear and manipulation instead of real improvement. Together, we break down how to fix the system, not the people, and how real leadership drives long term excellence. THE ROOT CAUSE OF FAILURE: MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES Deming’s 14 Points shaped the foundation of modern quality management. Yet, the most misunderstood remains his call to end management by objectives. When leaders impose numerical targets without improving the system or providing the right tools, they set teams up to fail. It creates a culture of blame and fear, the very opposite of trust and innovation. John shared powerful examples. In one case, a company proudly reported a 99% first-pass yield, while customer returns hit 20%. The numbers looked good, but the truth was hidden. This Facade of Excellence proves why chasing targets over truth destroys credibility and improvement. Learn more about Lean and Six Sigma here [https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-six-sigma/] SUBSTITUTING LEADERSHIP FOR NUMERICAL GOALS So, what replaces management by numbers? Leadership. Deming’s Point 11 calls for leaders who coach instead of command. A good system helps good people succeed. A bad system defeats even the most skilled team. John emphasized that unrealistic goals do more harm than good. Setting unreachable targets, like jumping from 90% quality to 99% overnight, only frustrates teams and drives shortcuts. Instead, focus on leading improvement, not demanding results. Six Sigma Black Belt certification [https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-black-belt/] teaches this principle in depth. THE POWER OF CELEBRATION POINTS Instead of rigid objectives, John promotes Celebration Points - small, achievable wins that create momentum and pride. For instance, a team aiming for 100% quality could celebrate at 92%, then 94%, then 97%. These steps build confidence and enthusiasm. Continuous improvement isn’t about perfection overnight. It’s about steady progress and consistent leadership support. This mindset reflects the true spirit of Kaizen, where every improvement, no matter how small , matters. THE HIDDEN BARRIER: MANAGERIAL FEAR One of the most surprising insights John shared was that the biggest barrier to lasting change isn’t technical - it’s emotional. Middle managers often fear becoming irrelevant when problems disappear. When continuous improvement eliminates “fires,” some managers feel their value vanishes. The solution? Redefine leadership. Great managers coach, mentor, and build systems that win without constant crisis. They’re not firefighters. They’re enablers of excellence. KEY TAKEAWAYS ✅ Deming’s Point 11 shows why management by objectives fails and breeds fear. ✅ Fix processes, not people. Systems determine success. ✅ Replace rigid goals with celebration points to boost morale. ✅ Managerial fear can block progress—turn managers into mentors. ✅ Data manipulation creates a false Facade of Excellence that hides real issues. FREE RESOURCE Get your free copy of "Why They Fail … and the Simple Key to Success" by Kevin Clay. Learn why 90% of continuous improvement efforts collapse within 18 months and how to build a sustainable system that lasts. Download your free copy here. [https://sixsigmadsi.com/product/why-they-fail-free-copy/] ABOUT THE GUEST John Dyer is a Master Black Belt, consultant, and author of The Facade of Excellence. His work blends Deming’s timeless wisdom with today’s business realities. Learn more about his insights at johndyergroup.com. ABOUT SIX SIGMA DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. This episode is sponsored by Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc. (SSDSI) — delivering Operational Excellence Around the Globe. SSDSI is an IASSC Accredited Training Organization (ATO) that has certified over 4,000 professionals and helped 100+ organizations in 52 countries achieve more than $100M in documented savings. Explore our certification programs: * Lean Six Sigma Green Belt [https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-green-belt/] * Lean Six Sigma Black Belt [https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-black-belt/] * Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt [https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-yellow-belt/] * LEAN Certification [https://sixsigmadsi.com/lean-certification/] Contact us at info@sixsigmadsi.com or call 866-922-6566. Learn more at sixsigmadsi.com [https://sixsigmadsi.com/]. PODCAST CHAPTERS 00:00 - Introduction: The Goal of 100% Excellence 01:04 - Guest Intro: John Dyer, Author of The Facade of Excellence 02:59 - “Who Do We Need to Fire?” – The Wrong Question 04:25 - Fixing the Process, Not the People 07:38 - Deming’s Point 11 and Management by Objectives 12:35 - Setting Realistic Goals that Motivate 15:58 - Celebration Points and the Power of Progress 19:48 - Creating Enthusiastic Productivity 23:54 - Manipulated Metrics and the Facade of Excellence 26:51 - Overcoming Managerial Fear and Building a Coaching Culture FAQ: FEAR AND LOATHING – THE DANGER OF NUMERICAL GOALS Q1: What is Deming’s Point 11? Deming’s Point 11 is about eliminating management by numerical objectives and replacing it with leadership that builds trust and system-wide improvement. Q2: Why does management by objectives fail? It creates fear. Employees focus on hitting numbers instead of fixing the root cause of problems. Q3: What are Celebration Points? Celebration Points are small, achievable milestones that motivate teams toward long-term success. Q4: How can companies replace fear with trust? By training leaders to coach, not command. Continuous improvement succeeds only when employees feel supported. Q5: What is the Facade of Excellence? It’s a false appearance of success caused by manipulated metrics. Real excellence comes from transparent data and steady improvement. Q6: Where can I learn Lean and Six Sigma online? You can explore online certifications at SixSigmaDSI.com.

How Lean Six Sigma Transformed a City Govt.

https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pg4puhMBgDeslvLOavqtj https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1815368583 https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80df90bb-a743-4170-afa7-8b4dd6bf0992/why-they-fail-and-the-simple-key-to-success HOW LEAN SIX SIGMA TRANSFORMED A CITY GOVT.  Can Lean Six Sigma principles truly revolutionize municipal operations? This episode delves into the remarkable success story of Fort Wayne, Indiana [https://www.cityoffortwayne.in.gov/], exploring how continuous improvement in city government led to over $30 million in savings and drastically improved public services. Join host Kevin Clay [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ssdsi/] as he interviews Graham Richard [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Richard], the former mayor who pioneered this transformation. Discover the strategies, challenges, and incredible outcomes achieved by applying business process improvement methodologies in a public sector environment.  GRAHAM RICHARD'S JOURNEY TO MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT  Graham Richard wasn't your typical politician entering office. With a background as a business owner and entrepreneur, he had hands-on experience with quality initiatives like TQM [https://asq.org/quality-resources/total-quality-management](Total Quality Management) even before Lean Six Sigma became prominent. Working with companies like General Electric [https://www.ge.com/], he saw the power of process analysis and data-driven decisions. This private sector experience became the bedrock for his vision when elected Mayor of Fort Wayne in 1999. He aimed not just to manage, but to fundamentally improve how the city operated.  IMPLEMENTING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN FORT WAYNE  Upon taking office, Mayor Richard faced significant challenges: a city growing through annexation without immediate revenue increases, rising service demands, and tight budgets . His strategic answer was continuous improvement in city government, framed under the "B.E.S.T." (Building Excellent Services with Teams) initiative.  Instead of a top-down mandate, Richard focused on asking key questions: "Who is your customer?" "Is your service improving?" "How do you measure it?" . Initially met with blank stares, these questions sparked a shift towards a customer-centric, data-aware culture . Early projects were chosen for high visibility to build credibility and momentum, proving that these methods worked . A retired Master Black Belt from GE was hired, and partnerships were formed with local businesses to share expertise .  KEY SUCCESSES AND SAVINGS  The results were tangible and impressive. By focusing on process analysis and data, Fort Wayne achieved significant gains:  * Pothole Repairs: Cycle time reduced from 48 hours to less than 4 hours.  * Permitting: Land improvement permit turnaround slashed from ~60 days to under 12 days.  * Missed Garbage Pickups: Reduced by over 50%, saving the contractor (and indirectly, the city) nearly $200,000 annually.  * Safety: Lost workdays due to accidents plummeted from over 1,900 in 2000 to under 100 in 2006.  * Financial Impact: Documented savings exceeded $27-30 million over Richard's tenure, allowing the city to maintain service levels despite growth and achieve its lowest property tax rate since 1964.  These weren't just isolated wins; they represented a fundamental shift in operational efficiency and effectiveness, showcasing the power of continuous improvement in city government.  OVERCOMING CHALLENGES IN MUNICIPAL CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT  Implementing Lean Six Sigma wasn't without hurdles. A major initial challenge was the lack of data . Many departments simply didn't measure their processes, requiring teams to establish baseline data collection systems before improvement could even begin.  Gaining buy-in, particularly from the city's nine unions, was another critical step. Richard's administration approached this through communication, collaboration, and demonstrating "what's in it for me" (WIIFM). Performance-based incentives tied to unit goals, rather than individual performance, helped align union members with the improvement objectives . Trust was built by involving union members on project teams and ensuring that efficiency gains didn't automatically mean layoffs, but rather enabled the city to handle increased demand without increasing headcount .  THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF LEADERSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY  Graham Richard stresses that leadership engagement is paramount – it's not just about commitment, but active involvement. Leaders must "walk the talk," ask data-driven questions, champion projects, and remove barriers . Fort Wayne established structures like a Quality Council and leadership development programs to embed these principles .  Sustaining continuous improvement in city government requires ongoing effort. While Fort Wayne saw continued success for years after Richard left office, momentum can fade without consistent top-level championship . The creation of the High Performance Government Network aimed to share these lessons and promote sustainability in other municipalities.  KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS PODCAST:  * Continuous improvement in city government is achievable and delivers significant results. * Leadership engagement (not just lip service) is non-negotiable for success. * Data is essential, even if you have to build systems to collect it first. * Involving unions and employees collaboratively builds trust and buy-in. * Celebrating successes and leveraging partnerships fuels momentum and sustainability.  Free Copy of my book "Why they Fail … and the Simple Key to Success" Discover why over 90% of continuous improvement efforts fail within 18 months! In this book, Kevin Clay breaks down the common pitfalls, including lack of genuine leadership buy-in (just like Graham Richard emphasized!), failing to build the right foundation, and misusing valuable resources. Learn the simple, yet crucial, keys to building a sustainable continuous improvement culture that delivers real results. Avoid the mistakes most companies make and set your organization up for success. Get your free copy here: https://sixsigmadsi.com/product/why-they-fail-free-copy/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/product/why-they-fail-free-copy/]  A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR, SIX SIGMA DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS.  This episode of "Why They Fail" is brought to you by Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc., providing “Operational Excellence” Around the Globe!  Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc. offers comprehensive Lean Six Sigma certification training, accredited by the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) as an Authorized Training Organization. They have transformed over 100 organizations in 52 countries and achieved $100M USD in savings through Lean Six Sigma, certifying over 4000 practitioners. Their partners include Aerojet Rocketdyne, Dropbox, and Mercy Health, among others.  Key Certification Training we provide:  * Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-green-belt/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-green-belt/])  * Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-black-belt/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-black-belt/])  * Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-yellow-belt/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-yellow-belt/])  * LEAN Certification (https://sixsigmadsi.com/lean-certification/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/lean-certification/])  We offer a variety of flexible training options to fit your needs! You can learn at your own pace with our Online Self-Paced, On-Demand courses, including our free Online Lean Six Sigma White Belt. We also offer comprehensive online programs for Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Green Belt, and Black Belt certifications. If you prefer in-person instruction, we can come onsite to your organization or you can join our public training sessions, available live virtually or in person at any of our 52 training centers. Every one of our courses can be delivered either live virtually or live in person, ensuring you get the learning experience that works best for you.  Answering the Question "What is ...":  * What is LEAN? (https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-lean/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-lean/])  * What Is Six Sigma? (https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-six-sigma/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-six-sigma/])  * What is a Green Belt? (https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-green-belt/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-green-belt/])  * What is a Black Belt? (https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-black-belt/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-black-belt/])  * What is a Yellow Belt? (https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-yellow-belt/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-yellow-belt/])  For more information, ☎️ contact us: https://sixsigmadsi.com/contact-us/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/contact-us/] or call us at 866-922-6566

Continuous Improvement at Danone: The Shotgun Approach

https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pg4puhMBgDeslvLOavqtj https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1815368583 https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80df90bb-a743-4170-afa7-8b4dd6bf0992/why-they-fail-and-the-simple-key-to-success CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AT DANONE: THE SHOTGUN APPROACH  Welcome to our latest episode! We dive into Continuous Improvement at Danone, a global leader that embeds operational excellence into its culture. In this episode, I talk with Cici Haines, Danone’s Continuous Improvement Manager, who shares insights from her 20-year journey. We explore their “shotgun approach.” Hundreds of employees tackle both big and small problems. This conversation centers on a key debate. Should you focus only on KPI-driving projects, or invest in culture-building quick wins? Danone’s method boosts morale and work-life balance. However, it also raises questions about focus, resource allocation, and sub-optimization risks. KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS PODCAST:  * The shotgun approach empowers all employees, especially Yellow Belts, to solve problems within their influence. * Moreover, leadership and ambassadors filter and prioritize projects to align with team objectives. * There’s a constant balance between KPI-driven initiatives and quick wins that improve daily work life. * A structured system of virtual Kaizen boards and regular meetings tracks progress and shares successes. * True continuous improvement demands constant adaptation and re-engagement in a changing environment. UNDERSTANDING THE APPROACH TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AT DANONE  Danone believes employees closest to a process improve it best. Rather than top-down, Danone’s infrastructure welcomes ideas from everyone. Additionally, ambassadors and team leaders champion small projects to ensure needed support. They use virtual Kaizen boards to track ideas from definition through control, creating a transparent system. This strategy relies on an army of trained Yellow Belts equipped with tools for quick wins. A perfect example: a project reduced cost-center creation from 11.5 days to just 5.25 days, smashing their goal! THE GREAT DEBATE: STRATEGIC PROJECTS VS. CULTURAL WINS  Quick wins boost morale, yet they pose a challenge. As my book explains, if you don’t prioritize projects by KPI impact, you may improve non-critical steps. Consequently, you risk sub-optimization. Cici explains that while some projects target cash collection and other KPIs, others focus on employee well-being. For an accounting team closing books late, saving two hours a month is a massive win that builds CI buy-in. Department leaders act as the first line of defense, ensuring teams work on the right projects. FREE COPY OF MY BOOK "WHY THEY FAIL … AND THE SIMPLE KEY TO SUCCESS"  Are you trying to build a continuous improvement culture that lasts? My book uncovers why over 90% of CI initiatives fail within 18 months and provides a simple 7-step roadmap for sustainable success. It covers failure scenarios, from lack of executive buy-in to treating CI as a “new toy.” If this episode’s challenges resonate, download your free PDF copy here: https://sixsigmadsi.com/product/why-they-fail-free-copy/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/product/why-they-fail-free-copy/] A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR, SIX SIGMA DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS.  This episode of "Why They Fail" is brought to you by Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc., providing “Operational Excellence” Around the Globe!  Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc. offers comprehensive Lean Six Sigma certification training, accredited by the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) as an Authorized Training Organization. They have transformed over 100 organizations in 52 countries and achieved $100M USD in savings through Lean Six Sigma, certifying over 4000 practitioners. Their partners include Aerojet Rocketdyne, Dropbox, and Mercy Health, among others. KEY CERTIFICATION TRAINING WE PROVIDE:  * Lean Six Sigma Green Belt ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-green-belt/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-green-belt/])  * Lean Six Sigma Black Belt ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-black-belt/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-black-belt/])  * Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-yellow-belt/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-yellow-belt/])  * LEAN Certification ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/lean-certification/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/lean-certification/])    We offer a variety of flexible training options to fit your needs! You can learn at your own pace with our Online Self-Paced, On-Demand courses, including our free Online Lean Six Sigma White Belt. We also offer comprehensive online programs for Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Green Belt, and Black Belt certifications. If you prefer in-person instruction, we can come onsite to your organization or you can join our public training sessions, available live virtually or in person at any of our 52 training centers. Every one of our courses can be delivered either live virtually or live in person, ensuring you get the learning experience that works best for you.  Answering the Question "What is ...":  * What is LEAN? ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-lean/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-lean/])  * What Is Six Sigma? ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-six-sigma/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-six-sigma/])  * What is a Green Belt? ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-green-belt/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-green-belt/])  * What is a Black Belt? ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-black-belt/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-black-belt/])  * What is a Yellow Belt? ( https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-yellow-belt/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/what-is-a-six-sigma-yellow-belt/])  For more information, ☎️ contact us: https://sixsigmadsi.com/contact-us/ [https://sixsigmadsi.com/contact-us/] or call us at 866-922-6566

Shainin & Six Sigma: It All Comes Down to Leadership

https://open.spotify.com/show/0Pg4puhMBgDeslvLOavqtj https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1815368583 https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80df90bb-a743-4170-afa7-8b4dd6bf0992/why-they-fail-and-the-simple-key-to-success SHAININ AND SIX SIGMA: IT ALL COMES DOWN TO LEADERSHIP Welcome to another episode of Why They Fail. In this episode, we explore the heart of every successful continuous improvement effort: leadership. Many companies invest in Lean Six Sigma or the Shainin Red X method, yet most fail to sustain progress. The reason is rarely the tools. It is almost always the leadership behind them. We sit down with Craig Hysong, President and CEO of Shainin, to understand how leadership shapes a problem-solving culture. Craig shares his journey, including the moment he discovered the Shainin approach while working as a young engineer at General Motors. He explains how the Red X method identifies the single dominant cause of a problem, cutting through the noise of endless variables. We also explore how Shainin and Six Sigma share a strong foundation in data-driven analysis and root cause thinking. But as Craig reminds us, no method works without strong, committed leadership. THE LEADERSHIP FACTOR IN A PROBLEM-SOLVING CULTURE Craig emphasizes that lasting improvement depends on leaders who act, not just talk. Training teams is not enough. Successful continuous improvement begins with a clear vision, a sense of urgency, and consistent communication from the top. Leaders must connect improvement projects directly to key business goals. He introduces Shainin’s Rolling Top Five, a simple yet powerful framework for keeping improvement alive. This approach pushes leadership to focus on the few projects that matter most. It ensures every action aligns with measurable results. Craig also shares an effective accountability practice. Instead of project leaders giving updates, sponsors present progress directly to senior management. This shift keeps leadership engaged and invested. It builds ownership and turns continuous improvement into a daily habit, not a side project. KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS PODCAST * The Pareto principle applies. One root cause, the Red X, often drives most variation. * True learning comes from real projects, not just certification. * Leadership is the difference between success and failure. * Sponsors should present project updates to senior leadership for accountability. * Continuous improvement thrives when leadership focuses on the vital few projects that move the business forward. SHAININ PROBLEM SOLVING DISCIPLINES Mastering problem solving is a necessary skill in multiple areas of any business. Each of Shainin's problem solving strategies has a specific place to be applied. Their methods can be used to: * Reactively solve an existing problem in Product Performance or Manufacturing Performance with Red X [https://shainin.com/red-x] * Proactively prevent issues for Product and Process Design with Resilient Engineering [https://shainin.com/resilient] * Target trouble within complex business processes with TransaXional Problem Solving [https://shainin.com/transaxional] * Structure an efficient problem solving program to enhance a problem solving culture with Rolling Top 5 Leadership [https://shainin.com/rolling-top-5] Depending on your current needs and future goals, one or all of these disciplines may be the problem solving tool you’ve been searching for. Visit Shainin.com [http://shainin.com/] to learn more and follow Shainin on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/shainin-llc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/shainin-llc]. A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR, SIX SIGMA DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS.  This episode of "Why They Fail" is brought to you by Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc., providing “Operational Excellence” Around the Globe!  Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc. offers comprehensive Lean Six Sigma certification training, accredited by the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) as an Authorized Training Organization. They have transformed over 100 organizations in 52 countries and achieved $100M USD in savings through Lean Six Sigma, certifying over 4000 practitioners. 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