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Chain of Learning: Empowering Continuous Improvement and Lean Change Leaders

Chain of Learning: Empowering Continuous Improvement and Lean Change Leaders

By: Katie Anderson
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 You’re a leader who knows that people are at the center of an exceptional organizational culture. You're excited to activate a culture of continuous learning – where everyone is capable, confident, and empowered to solve problems and innovate at all levels. This podcast is all about inspiring and equipping you to do that – through the power of learning and leading. Chain of Learning® is where the links of leadership and learning unite. Join your host, Katie Anderson, internationally recognized leadership consultant, award-winning author of “Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn”, and fellow learning enthusiast, for a journey that will help you master the skills to lead your organization from a traditional culture of “doing” into a vibrant, high-performing organization of continuous learning. Chain of Learning® is the trusted source for purpose-driven leaders and continuous improvement, lean, and agile practitioners seeking positive inspiration, innovative ideas, proven best practices, and actionable strategies to lead transformational change. Tune into each episode to gain the knowledge and skills you need to build a thriving people-centered learning culture, achieve needed business results, and expand your impact, so that you – and your team – can leave a lasting legacy. Subscribe and follow Chain of Learning® today so you never miss an episode! Share this podcast with your friends, fellow leaders, and colleagues, and let’s strengthen our Chain of Learning® – together. Podcast website: ChainOfLearning.com Katie Anderson’s website: KBJAnderson.com Connect with Katie Anderson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbjanderson/ Read Katie's book: LearningToLeadLeadingToLearn.com© 2023 Integrand LLC | Katie Anderson Consulting Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • 51| Elevate Your Impact Beyond Tools: The Problem-Solver’s Toolkit [with Elisabeth Swan and Tracy O'Rouke]

    51| Elevate Your Impact Beyond Tools: The Problem-Solver’s Toolkit [with Elisabeth Swan and Tracy O'Rouke]
    Sep 3 2025
    Organizations invest thousands of dollars and countless hours into lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement training programs. Certifications get awarded. Belts get earned.But nothing actually changes.Technical problem-solving training alone isn’t enough to drive meaningful impact. Without guidance and support on how to apply problem-solving tools—and the people-side of leading change—improvements stall. In this episode of Chain of Learning, I'm joined by Tracy O’Rourke and Elisabeth Swan, co-founders of the Just-in-Time Café and co-authors of "The Problem-Solver’s Toolkit." With more than 50 years of combined Lean Six Sigma experience, they’ve trained and coached thousands of problem-solvers across industries—from healthcare and government to manufacturing and service—helping teams turn knowledge into real results.Whatever problem-solving method you use—DMAIC, PDCA, or an A3—you’ll walk away with practical insights to help you bridge the gap between knowledge and action.YOU’LL LEARN:Why traditional training programs fail to create lasting problem-solving capability—and what to do insteadThe importance of bringing others along in a change project and staying flexible and curious as the work evolvesWhy successful and sustainable problem-solving requires both technical know-how and people skillsHow to engage teams, navigate change, and keep momentum going while leading a process improvement team How to close the gap between learning and doing by turning skills into real-world resultsABOUT MY GUESTS:Tracy O’Rourke is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, and co-founder of the Just-in-Time Café. As a sought-after consultant, instructor, and speaker with over 25 years of experience, Tracy specializes in cultural change, leadership development, strategic alignment, and process improvement. Elisabeth Swan is a leadership coach, keynote speaker, award-winning author of “Picture Yourself a Leader”, and co-founder of the Just-in-Time Café. Elisabeth brings decades of experience helping Fortune 100 companies and nonprofits embrace conscious leadership and continuous improvement. IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/51My website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comConnect with Tracy O’Rourke: linkedin.com/in/tracy-orourkeConnect with Elisabeth Swan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabethswanFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonDownload my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst Get your copy of the “Problem-Solver’s Toolkit”: www.jitcafe.com/book My Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantrip TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:01:37 The inspiration behind the “Problem Solvers Toolkit” 02:54 The disconnect between what is education and what leads to retention 04:22 The aha moments in creating the revised second edition in leading process improvement05:55 Potholes and detours as a metaphor in process improvements not going the perfect way06:36 The journey of continuous improvement in taking your team on the journey with you07:26 Incorporating road games in getting the team involved in problem solving11:03 What led Tracy and Elisabeth to want to help people in leading process improvement13:31 The real meaning of being a leader — more than just being a senior executive16:04 The difference between lean and Six Sigma18:24 Why the process steps matter more than the name19:22 Why people feel lean has failed20:38 Additional learnings in making the second edition of “The Problem-Solver’s Toolkit” 21:53 Changes made in the second edition including graphics, examples and templates22:19 What the Just-in-Time Café digital toolkit includes 25:23 How to solve problems based on solving similar problems27:19 The 5S Baby spoof music video inspired by process solving tools29:12 The next spoof song based on root cause analysis33:16 Elisabeth’s takeaways from the Japan Leadership Experience in seeing worker happiness34:53 The importance of focusing on human happiness and engagement for growth36:53 Tracy’s takeaways from the Japan Leadership Experience 40:00 Top recommendation for being the most effective in getting traction in solving problems41:41 The importance of building curiosity to get to know people and their experiences43:34 What is involved in successful problem-solving44:14 How to close the gap between learning and doing Enter to win a copy of "The Problem Solver's Toolkit" by Tracy O'Rourke and Elisabeth Swan by September 12. Apply today for the Japan Leadership Experience — last chance to join the November 2025 cohort. Applications also open for May 2026.
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    46 mins
  • 50| Change the Culture: NUMMI and the Power of Leading Through Influence, Not Authority [with Isao Yoshino]

    50| Change the Culture: NUMMI and the Power of Leading Through Influence, Not Authority [with Isao Yoshino]
    Aug 20 2025
    Apply for the Nov 2025 (limited spots remaining) or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experiencehttps://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/ “Change the culture!”That’s exactly what longtime Toyota leader Isao Yoshino was tasked with during one of the most famous business transformations in history—NUMMI—Toyota’s joint venture with General Motors in the 1980s.The challenge? Take GM’s worst-performing plant—plagued by absenteeism, low morale, and poor quality—and turn it around.Within just one year, with the same American workforce but under Toyota’s leadership, NUMMI became GM’s best-performing site.Behind the scenes was Mr. Yoshino, leading the design and delivery of a three-week training program in Japan for hundreds of NUMMI’s frontline and middle managers.In this episode, Mr. Yoshino shares the inside story of NUMMI’s transformation—how an experiment in a business turnaround became a “New Me” moment for its leaders—and the leadership lessons you can use to influence culture change without relying on authority.If you’re a lean practitioner or change leader wondering how to truly “change a culture,” this is a rare chance to hear the story directly from the person who lived it.You’ll Learn:Why you can’t force culture change—and what to do insteadHow Mr. Yoshino and his team created immersive learning experiences that shifted NUMMI leaders’ mindsets in just three weeksWhy the “Check” step in PDCA is the secret to Toyota’s sustained success How the andon process reshaped leaders’ views on problems—and how a “no problem is a problem” and no-blame mindset fosters learning and continuous improvementWhy NUMMI’s transformation was as much (or more) about people as it was about performanceABOUT MY GUEST:Isao Yoshino, worked at Toyota Motor Corporation for over 40 years—from the late 1960s to the early 2000s—and played an important role in the development of Toyota’s people-centered learning culture it’s now famous for. He was a key part of Kan-Pro senior leadership development program, which embedded A3 thinking as the process for problem-solving, communication, and leadership development across the organization—and has deep expertise in the practice of hoshin-kanri—Toyota’s strategy deployment process. He’s the subject of the Shingo award-winning book “Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: Lessons from Toyota Leader Isao Yoshino on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning”IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/50Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonDownload my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst Learn more about the Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantrip For an even deeper behind-the-scenes look at NUMMI, read the dedicated chapter in my book: LearningToLeadLeadingToLearn.com TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:03:02 How Isao Yoshino felt to be tasked with changing the culture and attitude of NUMMI leaders04:27 Creating the space for leaders to experience working in Japan and Toyota’s style09:21 Positive results from employees changing their attitude mindset themselves without being forced12:06 The importance of “check” in the PDCA process 14:38 Making the “check” process a positive experience in learning how to improve systems without blame18:10 The critical difference between the former GM culture and Toyota with their approach to problems19:12 The mindset shift of “no problem is a problem” and the impact of pulling the andon cord20:19 The positive results from lettings others learn and grow without force23:09 Reflections from Isao Yoshino about being part of the Japan Leadership Experience and continuing to learn something new24:38 The acronym for NUMMI and the deeper meaning of, “New Me” to become the best version of yourself Apply for the Nov 2025 (limited spots remaining) or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experiencehttps://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
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    27 mins
  • 49| Shift Your Mindset, Shift Your Impact: 3 Reframes for Positive Leadership

    49| Shift Your Mindset, Shift Your Impact: 3 Reframes for Positive Leadership
    Aug 6 2025

    Apply for the Nov 2025 (limited spots remaining) or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experience
    https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/


    When you encounter challenges or setbacks, and it feels like things just aren’t going your way, it’s easy to get caught into a downward negative spiral.


    But could simple mindset shifts change not just how you feel, but how you move forward and influence those around you with positive momentum?


    In this episode, I’m sharing three powerful reframes that have helped me reset, regain perspective, and move through challenges with intention and empowerment.


    These reframes aren’t just personal practices—they’re leadership strategies that can help you model resilience, learning, and agency, and inspire the people around you to do the same.


    This episode isn’t about blind optimism or sugarcoating hard things. It’s about real, actionable ways to reframe challenges and move forward with greater clarity, strength, and purpose.


    Learn the three reframes that have helped me (and the leaders I work with) get back up and lead with heart and intention.


    YOU’LL LEARN:

    • How to reframe your focus from negative to positive and rise with more clarity and confidence
    • The story behind the motto that inspires me daily –“Today’s a great day” – and how gratitude can ground you in tough moments
    • Why setbacks and failures aren’t the end, but an opportunity to learn your way forward
    • How the Japanese daruma doll became a lesson in resilience—representing the proverb “Fall down seven times, get up eight”
    • How to move from feeling powerless to empowered and why the ball is always in your court


    IMPORTANT LINKS:

    • Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/49
    • Resources and ways to work with me: KBJAnderson.com
    • Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjanderson
    • Download my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst
    • Read my book featuring lessons from Isao Yoshino’s 40 years of Toyota Leadership: LearningToLeadLeadingToLearn.com

    TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:


    01:56 [1st REFRAME] Find the good—even when it’s hard
    02:03 Katie’s dad as the inspiration behind the motto, “Today’s a great day”
    04:23 Isao Yoshino’s influence in learning how to shift from negative to positive
    07:22 The importance of focusing on the good for improvement
    09:23 [2nd REFRAME] Seeing failures and setbacks as learning opportunities
    10:17 Why daruma dolls are a reminder of resilience and the Japanese proverb "Fall down seven times, get up eight"
    12:04 Questions to maintain a learning mindset
    12:33 The learning zone versus the performance zone from Chain of Learning Episode 5 guest Eduardo Bricino
    13:37 Reframe exercise to reframe failure to learning opportunity
    15:17 [3rd REFRAME] Moving from powerlessness to agency

    15:51 Understanding, “The ball is in your court” to help how you respond to negative conditions
    17:07 Achieving goals versus fulfilling your intention
    18:14 Katie’s previous organizational role and how a reframe launched her consulting practice
    20:19 How two executives used coaching and reflection to shift from solving problems themselves to enabling their teams
    21:26 Stepping away from frustration and reframing the problem to influence things differently
    22:51 Reframe exercise to move from inaction to action
    23:33 Summary of the three reframes
    25:31 Questions to help shape your day and impact


    Apply for the Nov 2025 (limited spots remaining) or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experience
    https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/

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    28 mins
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