The Lean Solutions Podcast

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
In this episode, Patrick Adams is joined by Paul Doyle and Shawna Hondorp for a preview of their sessions at the Lean Solutions Summit. Together, they explore two critical topics shaping today's organizations: developing leaders through intentional systems and using AI to strengthen talent acquisition without losing the human connection.

The conversation dives into why leadership development should be treated as a business process rather than a training program, how specific leadership behaviors can be standardized and developed across every level of an organization, and why AI works best when paired with a thoughtful strategy. Shawna also shares practical insights into using AI responsibly in recruiting, emphasizing transparency, compliance, and the importance of maintaining authentic human relationships throughout the hiring process.

Whether you're leading a team, developing future leaders, building an AI strategy, or improving your hiring process, this episode provides practical insights for creating stronger leaders, smarter systems, and more intentional organizations.

Key Takeaways:
Leadership development is a business process—not just a training program
Strong leadership is built through intentional behaviors and systems
AI should enhance human connection, not replace it
A successful AI strategy requires intentionality, transparency, and trust

Links:
https://www.findleansolutions.com/
https://www.findleansolutions.com/lean-summit/

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
In this episode, Shayne Daughenbaugh sits down with Seamus Maguire to explore one of the biggest reasons problem-solving fails, even in organizations with experienced people and proven Lean tools. Drawing from his new book, Finding Fact Before Fixing, Seamus explains how cognitive biases, assumptions, and the pressure to find quick answers often lead teams to solve the wrong problem.

The conversation explores why hypothesis testing and experimentation should be at the center of every problem-solving effort, how leaders can ask better questions to uncover true root causes, and why collecting the right data is more important than simply collecting more data. Seamus also shares practical ways to challenge assumptions, use the scientific method in everyday problem-solving, and create a culture where teams focus on finding facts before implementing fixes.

 
Key Takeaways:
Challenge assumptions before finding solutions
Use hypothesis testing instead of educated guesses
Ask better questions to uncover root causes
Collect the right data—not just more data

Links:
linkedin.com/in/seamusmaguire?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
https://www.routledge.com/Finding-Fact-Before-Fixing-How-Business-Professionals-Can-Avoid-False-Assumptions-When-Solving-Problems/Maguire/p/book/9781041130307
https://www.findleansolutions.com/
https://www.findleansolutions.com/lean-summit/

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
In this episode, Patrick Adams is joined by Brett Lesiewicz, Judd VanBergen, and Phil Ranck for a preview of their sessions at the 2026 Lean Solutions Summit. Together, they explore how stronger relationships, proactive planning, and better communication help organizations succeed in uncertain environments.
The conversation highlights how Lean tools like the Last Planner System, takt planning, and visual management are transforming the construction industry by creating alignment, improving collaboration, and reducing uncertainty before work even begins. Phil also introduces the Seven Thinking Gears, a structured communication framework designed to make meetings more productive, uncover innovative ideas, and empower every team member to contribute to continuous improvement.
Whether you're in construction, manufacturing, healthcare, or another industry, this episode offers practical insights into building stronger teams, improving communication, and creating more predictable results through Lean thinking.
Key Takeaways:
1. Strong relationships create certainty in uncertain environments
2. Proactive planning prevents costly rework
3. Better communication unlocks innovation
4. Lean principles apply far beyond manufacturing
Links: 
https://www.findleansolutions.com/
https://www.findleansolutions.com/lean-summit/

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
In this episode, Andy Olrich and Catherine McDonald sit down with Andrew Kettner to discuss why one of the most overlooked leadership skills, eye contact, can have a profound impact on trust, communication, and continuous improvement.
Andrew explains how effective leaders must look beyond reports, dashboards, and data by practicing Lean's "go and see" mindset. Through genuine face-to-face interactions, leaders gain valuable insights into emotions, engagement, and the real challenges their teams face. The conversation also explores the connection between eye contact, empathy, emotional intelligence, and building stronger workplace relationships. Andrew shares personal stories from his military leadership experience and cancer journey that demonstrate how meaningful human connections can influence both leadership and life.
Whether you're leading a Lean transformation or simply looking to become a more effective leader, this episode offers practical ways to strengthen your leadership presence by learning to truly see the people you lead.
Key Takeaways:
Great leaders practice "go and see" by engaging directly with people—not just data.
Eye contact builds trust, empathy, and stronger workplace relationships.
Emotional intelligence helps leaders better understand both people and processes.
Small, intentional interactions create stronger Lean cultures and better leadership.
Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewkettner
https://www.findleansolutions.com/
https://www.findleansolutions.com/lean-summit/

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

In this episode, Patrick Adams sits down with John Dyer to explore the thinking behind the Lean Excellence World Championship and why it has become one of the most engaging learning experiences at the Lean Solutions Summit.

The conversation dives into how the competition gives participants and observers the opportunity to see Lean in action. From process mapping and visual management to problem-solving, teamwork, and customer focus. John explains why process mapping is the foundation of every successful improvement effort, how it helps teams visualize workflows, uncover hidden waste, identify bottlenecks before implementation, and create stronger future-state processes. He also shares why every organization, regardless of industry, can benefit from making process mapping a core part of its continuous improvement strategy.

Whether you're new to Lean or looking to strengthen your continuous improvement efforts, this episode provides practical insights into learning Lean through hands-on experience and applying process mapping to improve any process.

Key Takeaways:

1. Process mapping is the foundation of improvement
2. Lean is learned best through hands-on experience
3. Customer focus drives better decisions
4. Great Lean cultures embrace problems
Links:
https://www.findleansolutions.com/
https://www.findleansolutions.com/lean-summit/