Episode 62: Kaizen Event Facilitation and Sustainability with Adam Lawrence

On this episode of Quality Time with MoreSteam, the Kaizen Ninja Adam Lawrence joins the show. Adam is a recognized continuous improvement leader and Lean transformation coach who created The Wheel of Sustainability. Because he has led hundreds of Kaizen events, Adam has seen what happens when a team fixes a problem in a week. But he has also seen what happens when that fix slowly fades away.

Adam and host Dan Swartwout talk about what really happens during a Kaizen event. As a facilitator, Adam works to make a team believe, “We did this,” instead of, “Somebody else told us what to do.” That is the ninja part. Just like a ninja disappears, the team senses no trace of Adam in resolving the problem. Adam shares the wins, the losses, and even the times where he kept quiet so the team could discover a solution for themselves. You will also learn how improv, humor, and a few bold questions can turn a scary change into something people celebrate.

And what about The Wheel of Sustainability? It takes leadership commitment at the center and eight spokes shooting out from the hub. Those spokes include clear benefits, accountability, and recognition. Think of it as the flux capacitor of continuous improvement. This episode is for the Columbo in all of us. Are you stopping at “5 Whys”? Learn why you need to ask “just one more question.”

In this episode, you will hear about:

0:19 – What is a Kaizen event?

1:39 – Being a Kaizen Ninja

5:45 – Lessons from facilitating over 400 Kaizen events

7:36 – Letting the team discover the solution

16:10 – The mindset of a successful Kaizen facilitator

21:16 – Dealing with a Kaizen event that nearly goes off the rails

25:30 – Common mistakes in running Kaizen events

28:53 – The difference between a facilitator and a coach

32:11 – Introducing improv into Kaizen

37:55 – Dealing with potential bad actors during a Kaizen event

41:16 – Observing team members during a Kaizen event

46:59 – The Wheel of Sustainability: sustainable change

56:25 – Don’t be afraid to give Kaizen a go

Additional Resources:

Adam Lawrence on LinkedIn

Process Improvement Partners

Process Improvements Partners on LinkedIn

The Wheel of Sustainability on Amazon

Sustainability System Assessment

MoreSteam's YouTube Channel

Quality Time With MoreSteam on Facebook

Quality Time With MoreSteam on Instagram

Quality Time With MoreSteam on LinkedIn

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MoreSteam on LinkedIn

Dan Swartwout on LinkedIn

Kaizen Leader Course

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Dan Swartwout Headshot
Dan Swartwout

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.

Adam Lawrence on LinkedIn
Adam Lawrence

Kaizen Ninja • Process Improvement Partners LLC

Adam Lawrence is the founder of Process Improvement Partners LLC, creator of The Wheel of Sustainability, and the facilitator behind the Kaizen Ninja approach to continuous improvement.

For more than 30 years, Adam has helped organizations solve critical business problems, engage teams, and create sustainable results across manufacturing, distribution, service industries, and government agencies.

Known to many as the "Kaizen Ninja," Adam combines practical improvement methods, leadership engagement, and proven sustainability systems to help organizations achieve measurable business impact that lasts.

Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Adam works with organizations around the world while staying grounded by his most important advisory board—his wife Peggy and son Tyler.

(Bio and picture from https://pi-partners.com/about-adam-lawrence)

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