Episode 40: Empathy Meets Efficiency with April Thomas
On this episode of Quality Time with MoreSteam, April Thomas joins the show. Unlike most Lean Six Sigma professionals, her career began as a hospice social worker, an experience that continues to shape her perspective today.
Now a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, April’s mission is to be an advocate, a catalyst, and a coach for transformational change. Her background in hospice care taught her the importance of empathy and guiding people through difficult transitions, skills she carries directly into her work in continuous improvement and organizational change.
In her conversation with host Dan Swartwout, April shares her grief-informed approach to change management and offers insights on how leaders can support teams through major workplace transitions. She also explains why psychological safety influences data quality and how to recognize change fatigue before it takes hold.
Also, April recently got her motorcycle license. Does riding a motorcycle apply to continuous improvement? You know it! This episode is perfect for both business leaders and cool riders.
In this episode, you will hear about:
0:57 - From hospice social worker to Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
4:56 - Learning to ride a motorcycle
6:53 - How riding a motorcycle applies to continuous improvement
10:16 - Looking at resistance and change through the lens of grief and loss
12:29 - Continuous improvement, change fatigue, and employee wellbeing
14:54 - Leadership and empathy
17:58 - Psychological safety and continuous improvement
20:34 - Being an advocate, a catalyst, and a coach for transformational change
Additional Resources:
April's PSA from MADD Mid-Atlantic
The Kaytlyn Madison Thomas Memorial Foundation
Quality Time With MoreSteam on Facebook
Quality Time With MoreSteam on Instagram
Quality Time With MoreSteam on LinkedIn
Subscribe to MoreSteam's Newsletter
Managing Change with Dr. Larry Inks
Continuous Improvement for Organizations
Subscribe to Quality Time With MoreSteam
Host • MoreSteam
Dan Swartwout is the host of Quality Time with MoreSteam. A lifelong Central Ohio resident, Dan is a double Buckeye. He earned both a BA and a law degree from The Ohio State University. Before joining MoreSteam, Dan had a long career as a host, comedian, and master of ceremonies. For 17 years, Dan was the studio audience host for the Ohio Lottery game show Cash Explosion. Dan was also the host of CBuzz, which was a collaboration between the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, WWCD 92.9, and the Columbus Dispatch. On CBuzz, Dan interviewed some of the most prominent entrepreneurs in Central Ohio. From 2002-2020, Dan toured the country as a standup comedian. Tracks from his comedy CD have been played over 5,000 times on Sirius/XM satellite radio. Now, Dan brings his experience and enthusiasm to Quality Time with MoreSteam -- it's business and fun, together.
Senior Customer Success Manager • Green Dot Consulting Group
April Thomas is a people-focused leader and Lean Six Sigma expert dedicated to creating high-performing, engaged workplaces. With over two decades of experience, she specializes in strategic planning, process improvement, and workforce development. Passionate about fostering psychological safety and continuous improvement, April integrates empathy and data-driven strategies to drive sustainable change.
She holds advanced degrees in Social Work, Management & Organizational Behavior, and Strategic Management. April is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Grief Educator. She champions workplace wellness and serves in leadership roles with ASQ, Kaytlyn Madison Thomas Memorial Foundation, Peninsula ASAP, and Colonial Behavioral Health.
