My guest for Episode #525 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Christopher R. Chapman. He's an experienced agile coach and consultant with a background in software development and agile transformation.

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Since founding Derailleur Consulting in 2010, he has guided teams and leaders in adopting agile frameworks like Scrum and Kanban while integrating applied systems thinking inspired by Deming and other thought leaders.

Christopher is also known for cultivating communities through initiatives such as #SystemsThinkingTO and for sharing his insights in his popular Substack newsletter, The Digestible Deming.

In this episode, Chris and I discussed our upcoming collaborative workshops--"From Noise to Knowledge, Executive Leadership Through Data Driven Insight"--scheduled for

• May 13 in Toronto and
• June 17 in Cincinnati.

We highlighted how the sessions will blend experiential learning, such as the Red Bead Experiment, with practical tools like process behavior charts to help leaders decode variation and improve decision-making. The conversation emphasized the Deming philosophy as a core framework, exploring how leadership behaviors and systemic practices directly impact team performance and overall organizational quality. We also noted the engaging social aspect of the workshops, mentioning optional outings to local MLB baseball games as an opportunity for continued dialogue.

The discussion then shifted to our personal journeys with continuous improvement, agile methodologies, and the evolution of leadership roles. Chris shared insights from his transition from software development to coaching senior management, focusing on moving beyond traditional, isolated team interventions toward a holistic, systems-oriented approach. We both underlined the need for leadership to embrace a mindset shift--recognizing that issues within teams often reflect broader organizational constraints. We also debated common pitfalls, such as misinterpreting data due to superficial analyses, and argued for using robust, statistical tools to establish meaningful insights, setting the stage for transformative change in management practices.

• How do Deming's principles transform executive leadership and team performance?
• What key insights does the Red Bead Experiment offer for practical improvement?
• In what ways do process behavior charts enhance decision-making in complex systems?
• How can agile methodologies and Deming's philosophy be integrated effectively?
• What systemic issues underlie team challenges, and how should leadership address them?
• How can statistical process control complement traditional metrics in agile environments?
• What strategies enable leaders to shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive system improvement?
• How do extrinsic incentives impact collaboration and quality within teams?
• What methods best embed systems thinking into agile practices?
• How can workshop formats foster lasting changes in leadership mindsets?

This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.

My guest for Episode #524 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is John Willis, an accomplished IT management expert with over 45 years of experience. His extensive body of work includes contributions to Deming's Journey to Profound Knowledge and co-authoring The DevOps Handbook.

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Hosts a podcast that I was recently on, "Profound."

John focuses his current research on DevOps, DevSecOps, IT risk, modern governance, and audit compliance. Over the course of his career, he has sold companies to Docker and Dell, and he played a foundational role at Opscode (now Chef).

In addition, John founded Gulf Breeze Software, an award-winning IBM business partner recognized for its successful deployment of Tivoli technology for enterprise clients. He has authored six IBM Redbooks on enterprise systems management and served as the founder and chief architect of Chain Bridge Systems. Altogether, John has written more than 11 books and launched over 10 startups, cementing his reputation as a significant innovator in the IT industry.

In this episode, the discussion navigates the intersection of lean principles, agile methodologies, and Deming's philosophies as they apply to modern IT and operations. John delves into how systems thinking, profound knowledge, and psychological safety underpin effective incident management and cybersecurity practices. The conversation explores practical challenges and the proactive strategies necessary for integrating legacy improvement methods with today's cloud innovations and infrastructure as code.

Throughout the episode, John examines the real-world application of these timeless principles, offering listeners actionable insights into continuous improvement and risk management. He highlights the importance of questioning established norms and embracing complexity to drive operational excellence, providing a compelling roadmap for navigating the evolving digital landscape.

• Could you share your origin story regarding Lean and continuous improvement--specifically, what you learned during your early years at Exxon?
• How have you seen Deming's principle of eliminating fear put into practice in IT and entrepreneurial settings?
• Is the phenomenon you described established fact or more of a hypothesis?
• How can we confirm or measure the validity of that knowledge?
• Why do you consider cyber terrorism one of today's most significant threats?

This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.

My guest for Episode #523 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Mike Eisenberg. He's been a filmmaker since 2010 with his production company, Tall Tale Productions, after completing his B.A. in Journalism at Marietta College in Ohio.

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Mike’s father, Dr. John Eisenberg, was a leader in national patient safety efforts as the director of the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ) until his passing in 2002. His legacy is prevalent throughout Mike’s presentation, as well as his approach.

His new documentary, released last September, is titled “The Pitch: Patient Safety's Next Generation.”

He previously joined us in Episode #329, where we discussed his film "To Err is Human."

In 2006, Mike was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the MLB Draft and played 3 seasons of professional baseball before beginning his filmmaking career. He now speaks at hospitals, universities, and conferences, where his insight provides a new perspective on a problem that persists across the globe.

In today's episode, we explore the evolution of patient safety and the transformative role of technology in healthcare. The conversation dives into how innovations—from advanced command centers to cutting-edge virtual reality and AI applications—are redefining how hospitals prevent and respond to medical errors. The discussion challenges the conventional blame-and-shame approach and instead highlights the importance of building systems that foster trust and resilience among healthcare professionals and patients alike.

We also examine the nuances of integrating technology into complex healthcare environments, discussing how effective communication, standardized protocols, and smart design can work together to minimize human error. Drawing insightful parallels with industries like aviation, the episode offers a fresh perspective on the critical need for systemic improvements and the potential for new technological solutions to drive the next generation of patient safety.

• How is technology transforming patient safety in healthcare?
• What role do advanced command centers, virtual reality, and AI play in preventing medical errors?
• How can healthcare shift away from a blame-and-shame culture?
• What strategies build trust and resilience among healthcare professionals and patients?
• How do effective communication, standardized protocols, and smart design minimize human error?
• What lessons can be learned from the aviation industry regarding safety and error management?
• What challenges arise when integrating technology into complex healthcare environments?
• How can innovation drive the next generation of patient safety?

This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.

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My guest for Episode #522 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Jacquie Maupin.

She joins the podcast to discuss her upcoming workshop at the Healthcare Systems Process Improvement Conference (HSPI) hosted by the Society for Health Systems. She and her co-presenter, Lauren Todd from HCA Healthcare, will lead a session titled "From Analysis to Action: Bridging the Gap with Effective Presentations" on February 19.

This interactive workshop is designed to help attendees sharpen their communication skills, structure data-driven narratives, and effectively engage executives and stakeholders. Whether you're attending this year or considering next year's event, this conversation offers valuable insights into the intersection of Lean, process improvement, and communication.

In this episode, we discuss how journalism and communication skills can enhance Lean and process improvement efforts. Jacquie shares how her background in journalism and military leadership shaped her approach to problem-solving, stakeholder engagement, and storytelling in the world of healthcare improvement. We explore the parallels between investigative reporting and Lean methodology—how asking the right questions, structuring information effectively, and communicating insights clearly can drive meaningful change.

We also dive into Jacquie's upcoming workshop, where she and her co-presenter, Lauren Todd, will guide attendees through strategies for tailoring presentations to different audiences, crafting compelling data-driven narratives, and influencing decision-making. Whether you're attending this year or looking for ways to elevate your communication skills in process improvement, this episode is packed with valuable lessons.

• Can you share your Lean origin story and career path?
• How did your background in journalism and the military shape your approach to process improvement?
• What sparked your interest in healthcare and led you to Georgetown University Hospital?
• What were some of the most impactful projects you worked on at Georgetown?
• How does process mapping help break down silos and improve collaboration?
• What journalism skills translate well to process improvement and Lean work?
• How do you approach communicating with executives to ensure your message is understood?
• What challenges have you faced in presenting Lean concepts to different audiences?
• How can process improvement teams better tell their success stories and demonstrate value?
• What insights will attendees gain from your upcoming workshop at the Healthcare Systems Process Improvement Conference?

Here's a musical holiday treat for my regular Lean Blog readers and podcast listeners, a song parody, originally released in 2009... remastered a bit in 2022.

https://www.leanblog.org/2022/12/gemba-claus-comin-town-song/

Lyrics by Mark Graban Performance by Steve Sholtes

Oh, you'd better watch out You'd better kaizen You'd better not pout, I'm tellin' ya then Gemba Claus is comin' to town

He's making a list Just checking it once Doin' it twice would waste a whole bunch Gemba Clause is comin' to town

He sees you when you're waitin' He knows when your work flows He knows if changeovers are too long So do SMED for goodness sake

Oh, you'd watch out You'd better not pause You'd better not pout Find the real root cause Gemba Claus is comin' to Town!

For voiceover work, music, or more, you can contact Steve via his website, www.stevesholtes.com.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Welcome to this bonus session of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast, originally recorded as a LinkedIn Live event! In this conversation, I partnered with Rebecca Michalik from AME Australia to discuss my upcoming workshops in Australia and New Zealand in March 2025.

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

We’ll dive into key themes like psychological safety as a foundation for continuous improvement and how to make smarter use of performance metrics through process behavior charts. Even if you’re outside Australia or New Zealand, the principles and practical examples we discuss have universal applications for leaders and organizations worldwide.

If you're interested in learning more about the workshops, click here.

• What is the purpose of the AME Australia roadshow, and what will attendees gain from it?
• Why is psychological safety critical for Lean and continuous improvement?
• How can leaders create an environment where employees feel safe to speak up?
• What are process behavior charts, and why are they a better way to understand performance metrics?
• Can you share examples of organizations that have successfully applied these principles?
• What are some actionable steps attendees can implement immediately after the workshops?
• Why is in-person learning particularly valuable for these topics?
• How do you see these topics applying universally, regardless of industry or location?
• What lessons have you learned in your career that you think every leader should know?
• What would you say to someone who’s on the fence about attending?

The podcast is brought to you by Stiles Associates, the premier executive search firm specializing in the placement of Lean Transformation executives. With a track record of success spanning over 30 years, it's been the trusted partner for the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare sectors. Learn more.

This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.

My guest for Episode #521 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is José R. Ferro, PhD, a Senior Advisor with the Lean Enterprise Institute and the Founder and President, Lean Institute Brasil.

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

By founding Lean Institute Brasil in 1999 to disseminate the principles and practices of lean thinking to Brazilian companies, Ferro helped catalyze a global movement to establish lean institutes in other countries, which ultimately grew into the Lean Global Network, chartered in 2007.

In the late eighties, he was a visiting scholar in MIT’s International Motor Vehicle Research Program (IMVP), which introduced the term “lean” to describe Toyota’s revolutionary management system.

Ferro received PhD and master’s degrees in business administration, Getulio Vargas Foundation, and production engineering from the University of São Paulo in São Carlos.

His new book, Daily Management to Execute Strategy: Solving problems and developing people every day, is available now.

In today's episode, José will share practical insights on how to integrate daily management with strategy, the critical role of psychological safety in fostering problem-solving and improvement, and lessons learned from decades of leadership and Lean practice.

So, stay tuned for an engaging conversation about Lean, leadership, and creating cultures that thrive on continuous learning and improvement!

• José's Lean Origin Story: How did you first encounter Toyota-related practices, even before the term “Lean” was coined?
• Initial Impressions: What was your perspective on Lean’s balance between efficiency and a humane approach in its early days?
• Brazil’s Lean Journey: How did the opening of markets in the 1990s influence Lean adoption in Brazil across industries?
• Daily Management Framework: How do you define daily management, and what are its key elements?
• Challenges of Implementation: Why is there often a gap between technical Lean tools and the social aspects like leadership and problem-solving?
• The Book’s Framework: Can you explain the three foundational blocks of daily management from your book?
• Leadership's Role: What’s the leader’s role in connecting strategy to daily execution?
• Psychological Safety: Why is psychological safety so foundational, and how does it coexist with challenging environments?
• Problem-Solving Integration: How can organizations better connect daily huddles with deeper problem-solving efforts?
• Examples in Practice: Can you share real-world examples of organizations successfully applying your daily management framework?
• Future Vision: Where do you see opportunities for Lean to grow in Brazil or globally, especially in non-traditional sectors?

The podcast is brought to you by Stiles Associates, the premier executive search firm specializing in the placement of Lean Transformation executives. With a track record of success spanning over 30 years, it's been the trusted partner for the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare sectors. Learn more.

This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.