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On this episode of Quality Time with MoreSteam, the Kaizen Ninja Adam Lawrence joins the show. Adam is a recognized continuous improvement leader and Lean transformation coach who created The Wheel of Sustainability. Because he has led hundreds of Kaizen events, Adam has seen what happens when a team fixes a problem in a week. But he has also seen what happens when that fix slowly fades away.
Adam and host Dan Swartwout talk about what really happens during a Kaizen event. As a facilitator, Adam works to make a team believe, "We did this," instead of, "Somebody else told us what to do." That is the ninja part. Just like a ninja disappears, the team senses no trace of Adam in resolving the problem. Adam shares the wins, the losses, and even the times where he kept quiet so the team could discover a solution for themselves. You will also learn how improv, humor, and a few bold questions can turn a scary change into something people celebrate.
And what about The Wheel of Sustainability? It takes leadership commitment at the center and eight spokes shooting out from the hub. Those spokes include clear benefits, accountability, and recognition. Think of it as the flux capacitor of continuous improvement. This episode is for the Columbo in all of us. Are you stopping at "4 Whys"? Learn why you need to ask "just one more question."
In this episode, you will hear about:
0:19 – What is a Kaizen event?
1:39 – Being a Kaizen Ninja
5:45 – Lessons from facilitating over 400 Kaizen events
7:36 – Letting the team discover the solution
16:10 – The mindset of a successful Kaizen facilitator
21:16 – Dealing with a Kaizen event that nearly goes off the rails
25:30 – Common mistakes in running Kaizen events
28:53 – The difference between a facilitator and a coach
32:11 – Introducing improv into Kaizen
37:55 – Dealing with potential bad actors during a Kaizen event
41:16 – Observing team members during a Kaizen event
46:59 – The Wheel of Sustainability: sustainable change
56:25 – Don't be afraid to give Kaizen a go
Additional Resources:
Process Improvements Partners on LinkedIn
The Wheel of Sustainability on Amazon
Sustainability System Assessment
Quality Time With MoreSteam on Facebook
Quality Time With MoreSteam on Instagram
Quality Time With MoreSteam on LinkedIn
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