On this episode of Quality Time with MoreSteam, James Hancock joins the show to talk continuous improvement, leadership, and what it really takes to earn trust on the plant floor.
James leads operational excellence across North America for Greif. He's a math-loving Lean Six Sigma Black Belt who knows the tools and metrics, but he also understands that data alone doesn't always change people's minds. Effective improvement work requires listening, understanding the situation, and earning the trust of the people doing the work.
That idea runs throughout James's conversation with host Dan Swartwout. They discuss why continuous improvement leaders can't walk into a situation assuming they already understand what's going on, how an engineering background can shape problem-solving, and why learning to meet people where they are matters just as much as knowing which tool to use.
James shares some of the projects and experiences that shaped his approach, including the Black Belt project which still influences how he solves problems today; an award-winning improvement project at Printpack; and the use of a Plinko board to help an A3 project click. A3 Reports are designed to condense critical project information into a clear, visual format that supports problem-solving and decision-making.
The conversation also gets into a persistent challenge in manufacturing: institutional knowledge. James talks about recognizing the health of a culture, the difference between coaching and training, and how his leadership approach has changed as his responsibilities have grown.
And for something genuinely different, James is both an Eagle Scout and a third-degree black belt in karate. Yes, he's a Black Belt with a black belt! There's a direct line between what James learned through martial arts and Scouting and the discipline required to lead people through change at work. Whether you're practicing karate or developing continuous improvement capability, you have to put in the reps, be prepared, and prove yourself before earning the trust needed to lead others.
That focus on capability and culture also shows up in Greif's broader Lean Six Sigma program. The organization has worked to build a global community of problem-solvers by combining training with real project work, coaching, recognition, and continued Black Belt development.
Listen to this episode of Quality Time with MoreSteam to hear James's perspective on statistics, leadership, culture, and why successful continuous improvement depends on people as much as processes.
In this episode, you will hear about:
0:28 - James's takeaways from BP4OpX
2:12 - James's background and path to Greif
4:48 - The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt project that shaped how James still solves problems
7:12 - Using a Plinko board to make an A3 project click
9:03 - The innovation award project at Print Pack and lessons on measuring success
12:11 - How an engineering background shapes CI leadership
15:14 - What the MBOE program at Ohio State taught James about people
18:48 - The Kobe Bryant problem and meeting people where they are
20:30 - The difference between a coach and a trainer
24:24 - How karate and getting reps apply to continuous improvement
27:04 - Being an Eagle Scout and leading with be prepared
29:47 - The recurring challenge of institutional knowledge in manufacturing
34:56 - Reading the health of a culture on day one
38:05 - Adjusting leadership instincts as responsibilities grow
40:14 - Advice for anyone considering a black belt or the MBOE program
43:51 - What still excites James about CI work after all these years
46:21 - Just win, baby
Additional Resources:
James Hancock on LinkedIn
MoreSteam's YouTube Channel
Quality Time With MoreSteam on Facebook
Quality Time With MoreSteam on Instagram
Quality Time With MoreSteam on LinkedIn
MoreSteam on LinkedIn
Dan Swartwout on LinkedIn
Why Lean Six Sigma Projects Matter
Subscribe to Quality Time With MoreSteam:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon Music
YouTube
