Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership

[https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/adildalal-1024x683.jpg]https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_580_Dr_Adil_Dalal__mixdown.mp3 This week’s guest is Dr. Adil Dalal. Ron and Adil discussed the rapid evolution of AI and technology, how it affects lean and operational excellence, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here [https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_580_Dr_Adil_Dalal__mixdown.mp3]. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:  * The quote Adil likes (2:51) * His background (3:13) * His thoughts on lean and AI (8:13) * AI and value stream maps (11:44) * What operational excellence will look like in the future (18:20) * The transformation Adil is most proud of (29:21) * His final words of wisdom (40:25) PODCAST RESOURCES * Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 [https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_580_Dr_Adil_Dalal__mixdown.mp3] * Adil on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adildalal/] * Adil’s Website [https://pinnacleprocess.com/] GET ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GEMBA ACADEMY Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here [https://www.gembaacademy.com/about/news]. WHAT DO YOU THINK? How do you envision the future of lean and operational excellence in terms of technology and AI?

[https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/briandevries-1024x683.jpg]https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_579_Brian_DeVries_mixdown.mp3 This week’s guest is Brian DeVries. Ron and Brian discussed Brian’s new book “The Big Thinking of a Small Knight,” the roles storytelling and leadership play in continuous improvement, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here [https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_579_Brian_DeVries_mixdown.mp3]. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:  * The quote Brian likes (2:39) * What to do when someone is struggling (4:18) * His background (6:01) * The roles leadership and storytelling play in continuous improvement (9:55) * About his book (13:29) * His “knight’s hat” (18:39) * The biggest takeaway from the book (19:22) * What Brian learned from writing it (20:24) * The role his kids played in writing the book (21:38) PODCAST RESOURCES * Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 [https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_579_Brian_DeVries_mixdown.mp3] * GA 222 | How to Sustain Improvements with Brian DeVries [https://blog.gembaacademy.com/2018/07/05/ga-222-how-to-sustain-improvements-with-brian-devries/] * Brian on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/spreadtheleanlove/] * The Big Thinking of a Small Knight [https://www.amazon.de/Big-Thinking-Small-Knight-Hearts/dp/B0DW1LB3HZ] GET ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GEMBA ACADEMY Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here [https://www.gembaacademy.com/about/news]. WHAT DO YOU THINK? How else can storytelling be used in continuous improvement?

[https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ericrecker-1024x683.jpg]https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_578_Eric_Recker_mixdown.mp3 This week’s guest is Eric Recker. Ron and Eric discussed Eric’s mental health struggles, how he handled having panic attacks, “winning the now,” and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here [https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_578_Eric_Recker_mixdown.mp3]. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:  * The quote Eric likes (3:21) * Eric’s background (4:08) * His burnout journey (5:51) * How Eric handled his panic attacks (14:53) * How he “wins the now” (26:07) * What Eric is excited about (29:50) PODCAST RESOURCES * Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 [https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_578_Eric_Recker_mixdown.mp3] * Eric’s Website [https://ericrecker.com/] * Eric on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-recker-583849278/] * Eric on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/eric.recker.1] * Eric on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/docrecker/] * GA 511 | Winning the Now with Eric Recker [https://blog.gembaacademy.com/2024/01/18/ga-511-winning-the-now-with-eric-recker/] GET ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GEMBA ACADEMY Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here [https://www.gembaacademy.com/about/news]. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Have you ever dealt with burnout?

[https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/patrickadams-1024x683.jpg]https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_577_Patrick_Adams_mixdown.mp3 This week’s guest is Patrick Adams. Ron and Patrick had an extremely profound conversation about Patrick’s childhood, the personal transformation he’s gone through, and how he now helps others do the same. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here [https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_577_Patrick_Adams_mixdown.mp3]. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:  * The quote Patrick likes (3:10) * His background (4:34) * What it means to equip and empower people for positive change (6:24) * His personal transformation (8:25) * Patrick’s high school years (15:49) * Why gratitude matters to him (22:38) * The role faith has played in his transformation (25:15) * How involved he is with Remembrance Ranch today (31:17) * His advice for parents with struggling teens (34:33) PODCAST RESOURCES * Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 [https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_577_Patrick_Adams_mixdown.mp3] * Patrick’s Website [https://www.findleansolutions.com/] * Patrick on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickadamsii/] * Remembrance Ranch [https://remembranceranch.org/] * GA 354 | Avoiding the Continuous Appearance Trap [https://blog.gembaacademy.com/2021/01/14/ga-354-avoiding-the-continuous-appearance-trap-with-patrick-adams/] GET ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GEMBA ACADEMY Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here [https://www.gembaacademy.com/about/news]. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Have you ever undergone a significant personal transformation?

[https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/tonyhayes-1024x683.jpg]https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_576_Tony_Hayes_mixdown.mp3 This week’s guest is Tony Hayes. Ron and Tony discussed the meaning behind authentic leadership, the importance of humility and vulnerability, dealing with poor leadership, and more. MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here [https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_576_Tony_Hayes_mixdown.mp3]. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:  * The quote Tony likes (2:33) * His background (3:19) * What “Authentic Leadership” means (5:05) * Handling not having the answers (7:18) * What humility really means (10:48) * Why vulnerability is scary for a leader (13:45) * Misconceptions about leadership (15:45) * Tony’s advice for when you’re dealing with bad leadership (17:50) * Practical examples of the positive impacts of Respect for People (25:10) * Tony’s final words of wisdom (31:13) PODCAST RESOURCES * Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 [https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_576_Tony_Hayes_mixdown.mp3] * Tony on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyhayes/] GET ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GEMBA ACADEMY Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here [https://www.gembaacademy.com/about/news]. WHAT DO YOU THINK? What are some misconceptions you’ve heard or noticed about leadership?