Ever-So-Lean Podcast

By: Matt Sims
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  • Summary

  • The Ever-So-Lean Podcast is the destination for exploring how leadership and continuous improvement foster high performance. Come and join us as we share the real-life experiences of global industry leaders to front-line workers, diving deep into their journeys of triumph and adversity. Each episode offers genuine insights, practical wisdom, and valuable takeaways to support you on your path to excellence. Whether you’re striving for personal excellence or leading a team toward new heights, the Ever-So-Lean Podcast offers the fuel you need to transform your vision into reality. Discover us on all major podcast platforms or visit www.eversolean.com and take the first step toward becoming the leader you were meant to be.
    Copyright Ever-So-Lean 2022 (Part of Shimuzu Media)
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Economics Management
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Episodes
  • The Emergence of an Unexpected Leader: Between the Pages

    The Emergence of an Unexpected Leader: Between the Pages
    Nov 4 2024
    In this special episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, the tables are turned as Matt Sims steps into the guest’s chair, with Burnout Queen Nicola McCrabbe at the helm. Nicola dives deep into Matt’s personal journey and his newly released book, The Emergence of an Unexpected Leader. The book chronicles Matt’s inspiring rise from a "disruptive" low-grade student who was written off by teachers to a respected leader on the global stage. Through candid reflections on his rollercoaster path to success, Matt shares his experiences overcoming personal anxiety, public breakdowns, and the pressures of leadership. Nicola’s insightful questions invite listeners to walk with Matt through both the victories and the hardships that shaped his approach to continuous improvement, resilience, and people-focused leadership. Matt introduces listeners to his Bridge of Inspirational Leadership framework, a guiding philosophy developed through 25 years of real-world learning and growth. Built on the pillars of Respect, Authenticity, Engagement, and Empowerment, this framework offers a practical roadmap for aspiring leaders seeking high performance and personal fulfilment. Listeners will find inspiration in Matt’s story of transforming adversity into strength and will gain valuable insights on authentic leadership and continuous improvement. Join us for this powerful episode as Matt shares the essential lessons behind his transformational journey—reminding us all that setbacks can be stepping stones to excellence. Key Takeaways: 1. Resilience Through Personal Struggles Matt’s journey of overcoming anxiety and self-doubt-built resilience and shaped his authentic leadership style. 2. Education and Self-Perception Recognising that traditional education methods didn’t suit his learning style helped Matt understand the importance of personalised approaches, foundational to the "Ever So Lean Rising Stars" programme. 3. Humility and Lessons from Early Roles Experiences in customer service roles, like working in a supermarket, taught Matt persistence, hard work, and people skills essential to his leadership journey. 4. Mental Health Advocacy His public breakdown and recovery drive his commitment to mental health awareness, illustrating vulnerability as a strength in leadership. 5. Transformative Influence of Mentorship and Support Encouragement from his support network and mentors fuelled his career advancement, underscoring the impact of supportive relationships on personal and professional growth. 6. Empathy-Driven Leadership Model Matt’s "Bridge of Inspirational Leadership" framework for high performance, emphasises Respect, Authenticity, Engagement, and Empowerment, highlighting the importance of people-centred leadership. 7. Encouraging Reflection and Continuous Growth Reflecting on his journey after Amazon enabled Matt to channel his experiences into writing, showcasing reflection as key to leadership development. 8. Normalising Vulnerability and Humour Matt’s openness in storytelling and willingness to laugh at himself make his leadership relatable and underscore the human side of leadership. 9. Empowering Future Generations Through initiatives like the Rising Stars program, Matt promotes growth-mindset principles, helping younger generations build resilience and adaptability. 10. Storytelling as a Leadership Tool Writing The Emergence of an Unexpected Leader allowed Matt to process his journey and connect with readers, demonstrating how personal storytelling can inspire others. 🔗 Useful Links Nicola McCrabbe's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolamccrabbe/ Nicola's Book 'Burnout Be Gone' - https://amzn.to/3CbjvBz The Emergence of an Unexpected Leader - https://amzn.to/3XZm7JZ Audiobook UK - https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0DLLLXZBK/?source_code=AUKFrDlWS02231890H6-BK-ACX0-419072&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_419072_rh_uk Audiobook USA - https://www.audible.com/pd/B0DLLMCW2H/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-419072&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_419072_rh_us Audiobook Canada - https://www.audible.ca/pd/B0DLLLM2TJ/?source_code=AMNORWS022318003G-BK-ACX0-419072&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_419072_rh_ca Audiobook Australia - https://www.audible.com.au/pd/B0DLLMLKG1/?source_code=AUDORWS022318009C-BK-ACX0-419072&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_419072_rh_au Find out more about Ever-So-Lean, working with us, and our learning programs at www.eversolean.com Visit the BQF to learn more about the wonderful work they do - https://www.bqf.org.uk/ Enrol in the Online Improvement Kata & Coaching Kata Basics Course. Upskill your coaching skills with the ONLY Kata training created by Jeffrey K. Liker and Mike Rother! - https://toyota-way-academy.teachable.com/?affcode=43912_2uzhk5-x Please don't forget to show your support and help the Ever-So-Lean Podcast thrive by taking a moment to rate and review it, your feedback matters!
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    39 mins
  • Lean Culture Exposed: What You Need to Know

    Lean Culture Exposed: What You Need to Know
    Sep 9 2024
    In this episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, we welcome the legendary Paul Akers, renowned author and founder and president of FastCap, for a deep dive into the world of Lean mastery. Known for his revolutionary "2 Second Lean" philosophy, Paul has inspired countless businesses and individuals worldwide to embrace continuous improvement. From starting FastCap in his garage to expanding it into a global powerhouse, Paul’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Together, we explore some of Lean’s most common pitfalls and mistakes Paul has come across when implementing Lean, and look a what some of the critical principles look like in reality, including the power of having a big vision, leading from the Gemba, and the transformative impact of small, daily improvements. We’ll also dig into Paul’s unconventional approach to hiring, the importance of growing people, and how Lean education is changing the lives of students globally. Whether you’re just starting your Lean journey or looking for advanced insights, this episode is packed with valuable lessons, actionable takeaways, and inspiring stories. Tune in to discover what it takes to create a lasting Lean culture—and why simplicity, humility, and gratitude are at the heart of success. Don’t miss this powerful conversation with one of Lean’s true masters, Paul Akers! Key Takeaways: Overcome Academic Challenges with Practical Solutions: Educational struggles don't dictate your potential for success. Focus on practical, real-world problem-solving to excel, as demonstrated by Paul and Matt.Define and Communicate a Bold Vision: Lean is more than cost-cutting—it's about creating transformative impact. Assess whether your vision is clear, ambitious, and well communicated to your team. Does everyone understand and align with it?Lead from the Gemba: Spend time where the work happens to truly engage with your team and drive continuous improvement. Reflect on how much time you and your leaders spend in the Gemba and its impact on your culture.Embrace Incremental Improvements: Apply the Kaizen principle by encouraging small, daily changes. This approach leads to significant long-term growth. Start by breaking down larger goals into manageable, incremental improvements.Re-evaluate Your Hiring Process: Consider unconventional methods like trial-based hiring to ensure new hires fit your Lean culture. Evaluate whether your current hiring process aligns with your organisational needs and culture.Focus on People Development: Prioritise growing thoughtful, collaborative individuals over just developing products. Foster a work environment where everyone is engaged in improvement and benefits from it.Simplify and Learn from Everyone: Keep your mission straightforward and inclusive. Recognise that valuable insights can come from anyone, regardless of their background, and simplify your approach to make Lean accessible.Leverage Lean’s Global Reach: Embrace Lean principles’ simplicity and adaptability to expand their impact. Explore how Lean can be applied beyond traditional settings to drive innovation and growth in diverse environments.Simplify Your Daily Life: Apply Lean principles to personal routines and well-being. Simplify your daily habits to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, both at work and in your personal life.Cultivate Gratitude and Humility: Acknowledge the role of external factors in your success and maintain humility. Use this perspective to stay grounded and appreciative, regardless of your achievements.Invest in Teaching Lean to Children: Recognise the benefits of introducing Lean principles to young people. Practical, hands-on learning can engage students who struggle with traditional methods, preparing them for future problem-solving roles. Explore resources like Ever-So-Lean Rising Stars at www.eversolean.com to get Lean concepts into the hands of the young people in your life. 🔗 Paul's Website - https://www.paulakers.net/ Find out more about Ever-So-Lean, working with us, and our learning programs at www.eversolean.com Visit the BQF to learn more about the wonderful work they do - https://www.bqf.org.uk/ Enrol in the Online Improvement Kata & Coaching Kata Basics Course. Upskill your coaching skills with the ONLY Kata training created by Jeffrey K. Liker and Mike Rother! - https://toyota-way-academy.teachable.com/?affcode=43912_2uzhk5-x Please don't forget to show your support and help the Ever-So-Lean Podcast thrive by taking a moment to rate and review it, your feedback matters!
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • From Eiffel Tower Post-Its to Real Impact

    From Eiffel Tower Post-Its to Real Impact
    Aug 26 2024

    In this enlightening episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jan Otterbach, a distinguished business change leader and Vice President - Head of Process Transformation, renowned for driving strategic change across both commercial and technology sectors. Jan’s commitment to fostering collaborative, cross-functional approaches has made a significant impact on the organisations he has worked with.

    Jan reflects on his remarkable career, discussing his role in transforming sales and commercial processes at Elavon Europe, mentoring teams to achieve transformative change, and establishing effective team structures and governance models. His approach, grounded in the principle of going to the Gemba, engaging directly with frontline workers and making problems visible, has been instrumental in identifying inefficiencies and fostering real-time problem-solving.

    In our conversation, we explore Jan’s insights on the importance of focusing on a manageable number of key initiatives, regularly assessing the value of meetings, and prioritising empathy and engagement in leadership. Jan also emphasises the benefits of blending various methodologies, such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile, to address an organisation’s specific challenges.

    Central to Jan’s philosophy is the belief that "respect for people is paramount." We delve into best practices for creating sustainable ways of working, uncover the concept of the "sexy 20%," and discuss what it means to move towards the "80%."

    This episode is a must-listen for leaders, change agents, and anyone interested in business transformation. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion filled with practical insights and real-world examples from Jan’s extensive experience in driving impactful change.

    Key Takeaways:

    1. Go to the Gemba and Make Problems Visible: Engage directly with frontline workers, observe their challenges, and involve them in identifying inefficiencies. This hands-on approach builds credibility and ensures real-time problem-solving by making issues visible through tools like post-it notes or virtual whiteboards.

    2. Regularly Assess Meeting Frequency and Necessity: Continuously evaluate the value of recurring meetings. If they aren't productive, consider spacing them out or cancelling them to avoid time wastage and maintain relevance.

    3. Focus on a Manageable Number of Key Initiatives: Avoid spreading resources too thin. Concentrate on a few impactful projects that align with organisational goals to achieve better collaboration and higher quality outcomes.

    4. Prioritise Empathy and Engagement in Leadership: Leaders should prioritise understanding the people involved in change processes. Directly engage with team members, listen to their frustrations, and involve them in the change process to foster ownership and commitment.

    5. Blend Methodologies to Suit Organisational Context: Don’t rigidly adhere to a single framework. Blend different methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, Agile) to adopt best practices tailored to the unique challenges of the organisation.

    6. Respect for People Is Paramount: Above all, the greatest takeaway is that respect for people is the foundation of successful leadership and change management.

    🔗 Jan's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/janotterbach/

    Find out more about Ever-So-Lean, working with us, and our learning programs at www.eversolean.com

    Visit the BQF to learn more about the wonderful work they do - https://www.bqf.org.uk/

    Enrol in the Online Improvement Kata & Coaching Kata Basics Course. Upskill your coaching skills with the ONLY Kata training created by Jeffrey K. Liker and Mike Rother! - https://toyota-way-academy.teachable.com/?affcode=43912_2uzhk5-x

    Please don't forget to show your support and help the Ever-So-Lean Podcast thrive by taking a moment to rate and review it, your feedback matters!

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    58 mins

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