Chain of Learning: Leadership Strategies for Continuous Improvement and Transformational Change

When you hear the word sustainability, what comes to mind first?

If it’s recycling, you’re not alone. But sustainability is far bigger—and more complex—than end-point solutions that address the symptoms of deeper problems. As this episode reveals, sustainability efforts—like many major transformations, including lean—don’t stall because leaders don’t care. They stall because of an execution gap: the gap between what organizations say matters and what actually shows up in daily work, decisions, and priorities.

In this episode of Chain of Learning, I’m joined by Rose Heathcote, sustainability exp...

What if the very thing weighing on you right now is the key to your next level of growth?

Many of us carry more than we realize: unfinished goals, unmet expectations, family pressures, and the constant mental load of what still needs to be done.

In this episode of Chain of Learning, I share a grounding teaching from a Zen priest in Japan after a Zazen guided meditation session that has deeply resonated with me—and with leaders on my Japan Leadership Experience:

“Remove the muda to reveal the Buddha.”

Duration: 00:18:43

Apply for my Japan Leadership Experience! The May 2026 cohort is officially SOLD OUT and I'm now accepting applications for the November 2026 cohort. Secure your spot now and take advantage of the early registration discount.

Have you ever stepped outside your routine and suddenly seen your work—or yourself—with fresh clarity?

Sometimes the most meaningful leadership breakthroughs happen when we pause and immerse ourselves in a space designed for reflection, curiosity, and connection.

In this bonus episode—recorded live in Tokyo the morning after Cohort 8 of my Japan Leadership Experi...

We all know that moment where something falls apart.

A project slips. A conversation goes sideways. The promotion doesn’t happen.

We call it “failure,” but it’s often not the mistake itself that stops us.

It’s the fear, the funk, and the uncertainty that follow. And those emotions can hold us back far more than the faceplant ever did.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Melisa Buie and Keeley Hurley—seasoned leaders in engineering, quality, and continuous improvement and the co-authors of Faceplant: FREE Yourself from Failure’s Funk.

To...

AI is everywhere. And its use and capabilities are accelerating every day. 

But is AI actually helping us get better at getting better? 

Or is it just amplifying the friction, bottlenecks, and complexity that already exists in our workflows and processes?

In this episode, Nathen Harvey, leader of the DORA Research team at Google, explores how AI is reshaping not just how we work, but how we can use it to elevate human work, collaborate as teams, and reach better outcomes.

Dr...

Apply for the May 2026 Japan Leadership Experience—https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/

Where is your primary focus as a leader, change practitioner, or organization? 

Getting business results? 

Improving processes? 

Or developing people? 

What if the real key to lasting business success isn’t found in metrics or milestones—but in how you create a culture that nurtures people and their problem-solving capabilities? 

In this episode I explore what it really takes to deliver sustainable organizational success, and why building a people-ce...

What does it really take to become lean—not just do lean?

This is the secret to transformational lean leadership that Larry Culp, CEO of GE and GE Aerospace shared with me on stage three years ago. In this special bonus episode, I want to share his insights and wisdom about leadership and lean culture with you.

This bonus episode marks two milestones in my own Chain of Learning® journey:

 🎙 The two-year anniversary of the launch of this podcast!
 🎉 The three-year anniversary of my interview with Larry Culp

These two moments are...

How often do you find yourself racing from meeting to meeting, rushing through tasks, or filling every silence with your own voice? 

In our doing-oriented culture, pausing feels uncomfortable—even counterproductive. Yet left unchecked, our instinct for action and answers can limit learning, development, and innovation.

In this episode, I explore the power of the pause and why mastering it may be one of the most transformative leadership habits you can develop. 

Pausing with purpose—slowing down to create space for silence, reflection, and intent...

Enter to Win a Copy of David Yeager's book "10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People" - Register to win before October 24th at 11:45pm Pacific: http://chainoflearning.com/55

How do you motivate, coach, or lead someone younger—without sounding critical, nagging, or controlling?

We’ve all heard the stereotypes:
“Young people don’t care.”
“They’re entitled.”
“They can’t take feedback.”

But what if those assumptions are what’s really getting in the way of growth, engagement, and connection?

In this episode, I talk with Dr. David Yeager, professor...

What do people in other functions at your organization think lean is all about?

For many—in HR, OD, Finance, or operations—the answer is simple: process improvement, efficiency, waste elimination. 

And while those are pieces of the puzzle, they miss the bigger picture.

Too often, continuous improvement and operational excellence teams get pigeonholed as “process people,” making it hard to gain traction or build the partnerships needed for real transformation.

But lean isn’t just about processes—it’s about people. It’s a strategy for developing leader...

Ikigai is one of the hottest buzzwords in leadership and personal development. But what does ikigai really mean?

When you think of ikigai, what do you envision? 

Is it the popular Venn diagram that claims to help you find your purpose by identifying “the sweet spot” where what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for overlap? 

The problem? That’s not ikigai at all. 

And in fact, the very proces...

What’s the #1 frustration most lean and continuous improvement practitioners face?

It's something that I bet you've felt too, no matter how passionate you are about the work, no matter what you call it: lean, agile, continuous improvement, operational excellence, or DevOps...

Too often, we struggle to clearly explain what we actually do as CI change leaders and why it matters. And when you can’t articulate the deeper value of lean or OpEx, it’s hard to get the buy-in needed to lead the organizational transformation you envision.

In this e...

Organizations invest thousands of dollars and countless hours into lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement training programs. Certifications get awarded. Belts get earned.

But nothing actually changes.

Technical problem-solving training alone isn’t enough to drive meaningful impact. Without guidance and support on how to apply problem-solving tools—and the people-side of leading change—improvements stall. 

In this episode of Chain of Learning, I'm joined by Tracy O’Rourke and Elisabeth Swan, co-founders of the Just-in-Time Café and co-authors of "The Problem-Solver’s Toolkit." Wi...

“Change the culture!”

That’s exactly what longtime Toyota leader Isao Yoshino was tasked with during one of the most famous business transformations in history—NUMMI—Toyota’s joint venture with General Motors in the 1980s.

The challenge? 

Take GM’s worst-performing plant—plagued by absenteeism, low morale, and poor quality—and turn it around.

Within just one year, with the same American workforce but under Toyota’s leadership, NUMMI became GM’s best-performing site.

Behind the scenes was Mr. Yoshino, leading the design and delivery of a three-week training p...

When you encounter challenges or setbacks, and it feels like things just aren’t going your way, it’s easy to get caught into a downward negative spiral.  

But could simple mindset shifts change not just how you feel, but how you move forward and influence those around you with positive momentum?

In this episode, I’m sharing three powerful reframes that have helped me reset, regain perspective, and move through challenges with intention and empowerment. 

These reframes aren’t just personal practices—they’re leadership...

Apply for the Nov 2025 or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experience
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
 
You’re implementing the tools.

Making the improvements.

Delivering the project results.

But the same problems keep resurfacing and you’re left wondering: What’s missing?

In this episode, Josef Procházka, a lean consultant from the Czech Republic, shares his personal journey of transformation—from frustrated practitioner to heart-led coach—and the impact his shift in approach to consulting has had for his clients and for himself.

Josef b...

A global economic crisis is dragging down sales.

Departments are working in silos and leaders at all levels are arguing about priorities. 

Managers are too busy to coach their teams.

You might think this describes your organization today—and it was the exact situation Toyota faced nearly 50 years ago.

This challenge sparked one of the most ambitious and influential—and least known outside Japan—leadership development programs in Toyota’s history: the Kanri Nouryoku Program, or Kan-Pro for short. “Kanri” meaning management, and “Nouryoku...

Is it possible to lead a real, long-term cultural transformation in a publicly traded company—where shareholders often demand short-term financial results?

It’s challenging, yet possible. And GE Aerospace, with CEO Larry Culp at the helm, is leading the way. 

I invited Phil Wickler, Chief Transformation Officer, back to discuss the enterprise-wide shift toward lean at GE Aerospace.

We explore what it takes to build a lean management system across a global company of 50,000+ people and how GE Aerospace is embedding problem-solving thinking, leade...

How effective is your organization's strategy in achieving results?

If your team doesn't understand how their daily work connects to bigger organizational goals, you don't have a strategy—you have a gap. 

A gap in engagement. 

A gap in alignment. 

This gap leads to confusion, misaligned priorities, and wasted effort.

I’m joined by Mark Reich, author of “Managing on Purpose”, to explore how hoshin kanri – often translated as strategy or policy deployment – can bridge this gap...

How many questions is too many?

You know that asking effective questions is key to helping others solve problems and unlocking improvement, but can you ask too many questions?

Yes! And when you do so, you actually hinder progress, not enable it.

In this episode, I share one of the most common mistakes leaders and coaches alike make when learning to Break the Telling Habit® and moving from “telling” to “asking”. 

It's a crucial shift to stop being the expert with all the answers, but when you o...

What’s the real purpose behind the Japanese practices integral to lean management —like kata, obeya, and A3 reports?

These methods are often misunderstood as mere templates or formats, without recognizing the deeper meaning and intention that drive their impact.

In this episode, we’re picking up on my conversation with Tim Wolput, Japanologist, Toyota Way management expert, and former World Aikido Champion, in Part 2 of this masterclass on Japanese culture and management. 

Tim brings a unique perspective on the connection between martial arts and lea...

How much of the Toyota Way is dependent on Japanese culture?

And how much of it all comes down to… being human?

There are questions I’ve explored with 130+ global leaders who’ve joined my Japan Leadership Experience programs. 

To help you answer this question, I’ve invited Tim Wolput – Japanologist and Toyota Way Management expert, to Chain of Learning.

Together, we take a deep (and fun!) dive into the differences between classical Japanese and Western management and explore the cultural and historical roots of real lean leader...

You’re doing great work….yet you know you and the change you envision could have greater influence.

You have a vision for more. More strategic work. More influence. More change that really makes an impact and actually sticks -- for your clients or organization.

Only question—how do you get there?

The issue isn’t your talent or skills. It’s how you and your work are positioned—how your clients or organization see (and value) your role or the organizational transformation you propose.

In this episode, I’m joined by Betsy Jordy...

Do you ever feel overwhelmed that you are responsible for doing too much?

Maybe you’re frustrated that your team relies on you for answers instead of developing their own solutions.

Or you’re disappointed that improvements fall apart as soon as you step away.

The problem: You’re likely stuck in the Doer Trap—and it’s holding you (and your team) back from the results you want. 

The good news? There’s a way out.

In this episode, I dive into three simple shifts...

Ever feel like your to-do list never ends? 

Running from meeting to meeting with no time to think—let alone lead or create? 

You’re not alone.

The problem isn’t you – that you’re not working hard enough. 

You’re probably stuck in the complexity trap—buried in endless demands, inefficiencies, and busywork that keep you (and your team) from doing what truly matters.

To help you simplify and focus on meaningful work, I sat down with L...

What have we really learned after four decades of lean? 

Is lean thinking and management still relevant today?

And importantly — what needs to change to ensure the future success of lean transformation?

In the previous episode, I sat down with James Womack, founder of the Lean Enterprise Institute, to look back on 40 years of lean thinking and management since the publication of The Machine That Changed the World. 

In this episode, we look ahead to the future of lean and dig into big questions, including thos...

“Lean has failed.”

That’s the bold statement James Womack—founder of the Lean Enterprise Institute and MIT researcher whose team introduced the term “lean” to the world—made at a conference where we both recently spoke.

That really stuck with me.

Has lean really failed? 

If so, what can we do to course correct?

To explore this, I invited him to share his reflections and experiences over the past 40 years—where his vision for lean manageme...

How often do you pause to get a clearer view of your purpose and learn how your life experiences influence your leadership impact?

Whether it’s in the moment to reflect on a recent situation or zooming out at a major milestone to see the bigger picture, reflection can be incredibly powerful.

I’m hitting pause myself this week as I turn the big 5-0! I share two concepts that have helped me understand what it means to live a life of intention and purpose.

Fi...

What do you do when you’re stuck between two conflicting options? 

For most of us, these competing choices are a paradox and source of conflict. We deal with uncertainty by asserting certainty that there are two distinct options to choose between.

But what if there’s a way to embrace both?

That’s why I invited Wendy Smith – award-win...

Why do 70-90% of change initiatives fail?

That’s a staggering statistic. 

In many cases, new leadership comes in, economic pressures rise, or the next "flavor of the month" initiative takes over. 

What’s happening and what can you do to counteract this trend?

And if you are a change leader, lean practitioner, or continuous improvement coach, how do you avoid this becoming a career limiting move?

To help us answer this, I invited Michael Bungay Stanie...

What questions are on your mind? That’s the question I posed to you last month when I asked you to “Ask me anything!”

I received many great questions and, as promised, I’ve picked five to dive into during this episode. 

Asking the right questions is a fundamental part of leading transformational change. It’s not just about finding answers—it’s about understanding why we ask our questions and how we react when others ask us.

It’s just as important to know the reasons behind why we’re asking. What’s the intentio...

Is your organization stuck in a constant state of crisis, where everything feels like an urgent, must-fix-now situation?

As a leader, cutting through that noise is key to prioritizing and aligning your team’s efforts to focus on what really matters.

In this episode, Isaac Mitchell, VP of Operational Excellence at Ballad Health System, shares his experience leading through Hurricane Helene and how he's fostering an organizational culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Isaac shares how his leadership journey—from engineer at Toyota to executive in healthcare—shaped his ap...

Is your organization stuck in a constant state of crisis, where everything feels like an urgent, must-fix-now situation?

As a leader, cutting through that noise is key to prioritizing and aligning your team’s efforts to focus on what really matters.

In this episode, Isaac Mitchell, VP of Operational Excellence at Ballad Health System, shares his experience leading through Hurricane Helene and how he's fostering an organizational culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Isaac shares how his leadership journey—from engineer at Toyota to executive in healthcare—shaped his ap...

It’s Chain of Learning’s first anniversary this month! And it’s the time of year for gratitude and thanks – and for reflection. 

Thank you for listening and for being part of this Chain of Learning that we are growing together. 

To mark this podcast milestone, I want to practice what I talk about on nearly every episode – reflection – as I believe it IS the foundation of learning and impact.

In this episode, I share my reflections from the Chain of Learning’s first year and w...

Has your organization been making progress on its continuous improvement journey, only to find things starting to stall?

Is your team hesitant to share ideas, or are your lean or process improvement initiatives viewed mainly as cost-cutting measures rather than a comprehensive strategy for long-term success?

Perhaps you've been focusing on just one side of the path of excellence—improvement processes and tools—while overlooking a critical component: respect for people.

In this episode, Stephanie Bursek, Director of Human Resources at TrippNT, shares how her company's made...

What hot topics and burning questions are on your mind?

Asking better questions is one of the core subjects I talk about on the podcast – and in my work, and I want to hear from you!

“Ask me anything” is going to be the focus of the last Chain of Learning episode for 2024. So go ahead and send me your questions through the month of November: ChainOfLearning.com/ASK 

What challenges are you facing in your leadership journey as you strive to make a greater impact?

<...

Do you ever feel like you're stuck between chaos and bureaucracy, unable to break free from the status quo?

You are probably facing a common challenge that other leaders and change practitioners experience: how to navigate uncertainty while trying to drive innovation and agility in your organization.

In this episode, Atif Rafiq, seasoned C-suite executive and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “Decision Sprint” shares what he’s learned about leading through ambiguity to drive digital and cultural transformations at global companies like Amazon, McDonald’s, and MGM Resorts.

Duration: 00:38:10

Do you ever feel stuck as a leader? It may seem like no matter how many problems you solve or tools you implement, you're still not seeing progress toward a sustainable organizational culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Maybe you have been leading change the wrong way.

In this episode, Cindy Hinds shares what she’s learned from 25 years of experience about how to lead organizational change the right way. She highlights what she has learned from her journey from being a technical expert to becoming a transformational change leader within a global organization wh...

Ever felt like your meetings or workshops aren’t moving the needle? How would you like to facilitate your next work session with confidence and ensure that your leaders are leaving motivated, aligned, and action-oriented?

Whether you're a continuous improvement practitioner, consultant, manager, or executive—facilitation is a crucial skill to master to become a transformational change leader. It’s the key to how you influence teams to shift behaviors, make impactful decisions, and drive meaningful results for the organization. 

But great facilitation doesn’t happen by accident.

Duration: 00:27:30

Want to inspire action in your presentations and transform your message from boring to unforgettable?

The secret: it’s not data and facts that create impact — it's your stories.

As humans, we’re wired to remember and respond to stories because they connect with our emotions and drive our decisions.

Storytelling is more than just a trending term; it’s the fundamental way to connect with your audience on a deeper level and how you actually ignite change.

In this epi...

Do you and your leadership team feel burdened by solving all the problems that get in the way of achieving the results your organization needs?

You’re not alone. 

This is the crux of the leadership challenge: transitioning from being the primary problem-solver to a transformational leader who creates the conditions for their people to achieve results. 

This requires a shift in mindset and a shift in behavior, and leaders must be serious about both.

So, what does it take...

If you're passionate about continuous improvement, quality, or operational excellence, chances are Dr. W. Edwards Deming has shaped your journey—even if you haven't realized it yet.

But do you know how this influence came about and the profound impact Deming’s management theories have had on shaping quality and improvement approaches such as Lean, Agile, and DevOps?

I've invited John Willis, author of "Deming's Journey to Profound Knowledge," to today’s episode to explore Deming’s learning journey to become the father of the quality movement and how he influ...

What does “winning” mean to you as a leader? And what is your leadership role  in creating a winning strategy and organizational culture?

According to Billy Ray Taylor, CEO and President at LinkedXL and former Goodyear Tire executive, winning is not only about setting a clear strategy and aligning on the goals and metrics, but engaging your team members and defining the actions to get there.  

Billy and I recorded this episode back in 2022, just as his book “The Winning Link: A Proven Process to Define, Align, and Execute Strategy...

Have you ever paused to reflect on the critical moments of your life and realized their impact on your own trajectory and others' lives?

In this special episode of Chain of Learning, I welcome back Isao Yoshino as we celebrate our decade-long partnership and the anniversary of our book "Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn." Together, we discuss the power of hansei—reflection—as the cornerstone of learning and wisdom.

We reflect on the journey of writing the book, the strength of our partnership, and the importance of asking the...

Today's guest, Isao Yoshino, a 40-year Toyota leader, has influenced thousands of leaders worldwide and inspired my book, "Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn."

Join us as we celebrate two anniversaries: our first meeting in July 2014 and the four-year anniversary of our book. In Part 1 of our conversation, Mr. Yoshino shares his insights on leadership, learning, and the Chain of Learning® concept.

We'll discuss lessons from successes and failures, the strength of connections, and people-oriented leadership. Whether you're looking to implement these practices with your team or find inspiration for your l...

Have you ever received blank stares from leaders when you’ve advocated that they adopt an improvement method or tool you know will help them? 

Perhaps the problem is not your idea but rather that you aren’t communicating in a way that connects these concepts with the business outcomes they need or in language that they understand.

One hurdle that can hinder your effectiveness in influencing executives is the very thing that makes you valuable in your position and as a passionate continuous improvement leader  –  your technical expertise and probl...

Do you e𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘆-𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 — 𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁? Or have you ever struggled with getting your senior team on board with your vision for change, getting support for a new initiative, or getting leaders to sign on to your services as a coach or consultant?

Good news — mastering the skills of persuasion and influence by leading with curiosity and human connection is the way to get to "yes".

Whether it is a #lean or #agile transformation, #continuousimprovement project, #operationalexcellence program, or selling a product or service, your success hinges on your ability to connect with people and understand how to bring them along with you.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙨: 𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣 “𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨” 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚!

In this episode, Derek Roberts and I explore the art and science of persuasio...

What do you think of when you hear the word “kaizen”? 

An event? A process that you are working on improving? Something else? 

The Japanese word “kaizen” is usually translated to mean “continuous improvement.” But there is a deeper meaning. It’s actually the lynchpin to creating a real culture of continuous improvement. 

In this episode, I unpack the essence of kaizen, not only as a method for process improvement but also as a personal and organizational mindset for pursuing excellence.

Inspired by...

Does successful change always have to start from the top? 

How can you stop pushing change on your leaders and instead create pull from them for the organizational culture you envision?

If you're leading continuous improvement internally, these questions are crucial because they address the challenge of how to cultivate a workforce of capable, engaged problem-solvers across all levels.

That’s why, in this episode, I welcome Pennie Saum, a Process Improvement Program Manager at the Port of Seattle, to discuss how to lead org...

Are you focusing on the right problems in your organization? More importantly, are you creating the conditions and processes to solve them effectively?

In this episode, Mark Graban and I explore the importance of developing the skills of an Analytical Systems Thinker—one of the eight core competencies in my Change KATALYST™ model—to catalyze truly meaningful change.

You’ll gain a better understanding of how to make informed decisions and drive improvement by applying the right kind of analytics instead of reacting to your metrics' ups and downs. Mark also shares ways to think mo...

Want to know the secret to success?

It’s about embracing lifelong learning, being willing to try new things and seek out information, setting intentions to get better, and embracing the failures that come with learning your way forward.

I believe when we stay in learning – a learning attitude, mindset, and practice – anything is possible. 

Being a “learning enthusiast” is a foundational part of who I am. It’s given me the courage to step out into the unknown and, ultimately, has catapulted my personal growth and leadership impact.  

In this...

What's your reaction when you hear the phrase “corporate politics”? Does it make you cringe and want to run away, or do you get curious about how to leverage them to influence outcomes?

In this episode, Betsy Jordyn joins me to discuss the essential skill of how to successfully navigate organizational politics. As a long-time organizational development consultant for companies like Disney, Wyndham, and AAA, Betsy’s expertise on the subject is enlightening. 

Throughout our conversation, you’ll learn the difference between good politics and toxic environments and what’s at risk if leaders...

Have you ever had a team member look at you with frustration when you share your great ideas and suggestions with them? 

Or, have you ever felt like—with all the things you need to solve and do—you don’t have time to ask questions? Like you’re stuck putting out fires rather than nurturing, growing, and developing the people you lead?

If this resonates, it’s likely you have a “telling habit.” 

But, the good news is, you can break it—or rather—you can work at creating...

What is the difference between authentic cultures of continuous improvement versus superficial displays? 

In this episode, Patrick Adams shares his insights on the heart of organizational culture and transformational leadership and highlights the essential elements of a real culture of continuous improvement -- so that you can ensure that you and your organization get it right.

The truth is, there are no quick fixes, “silver bullets,” or prescribed roadmaps to achieve a high-performing organization. 

Patrick shares how a long-term commitment and leadership behaviors are necess...

What’s your purpose as a continuous improvement or lean practitioner? And how can you fulfill your potential as a transformational change leader?

Tune in to my conversation with master operational excellence change leader Karen Martin to find out! 

Becoming a transformational change leader means balancing your technical skills to deliver results while cultivating the influence, coaching, and facilitation skills to lead change and develop people to create a high-performing organizational culture.

Whether you are an operational excellence professional or a leader that has a passion for continuous improvement, this episode wil...

What if you had a new superpower that would unlock your leadership potential?

One so simple yet will amplify your impact, open doors to the C-suite, and accelerate engagement across your organization so that you deliver more business results while realizing your vision for a people-focused learning culture?

This episode unveils your superhero cape so you can unleash your leadership superpowers today to lead organizational change.

Tune in to go beyond leadership theory to actual practice of how to pair your technical expertise with...

Move from Technical Expert to Influential Leader

Do you want to move beyond being a tools or process improvement project “doer” or technical expert to a transformational change leader?  

Have you wanted to step into greater influence and impact in your organization?

Or perhaps you're a leader seeking to create broader organizational change but don't quite know how?

Leading transformational change to create a high-performing culture or lead lean transformation requires you to pair your technical expertise with social and r...

Have you ever wondered why some organizations consistently outperform others? 

And why, even when using the same tools and methodologies, some companies are able to leverage them to achieve success whereas at others they just become the flavor of the month?

If you are curious about the answers, you won't want to miss this episode with Steve Spear and Gene Kim where we unpack what makes companies “great” and explore key concepts in their new book, “Wiring the Winning Organization: Liberating our Collective Greatness through Slowification, Simplification, and Amplification”. 

Together, we peel ba...

What if HOW you go about setting your goals can change the impact you have – even more than the goals themselves? 

It’s that time of year for setting goals, to reflect on what you achieved – or didn’t achieve – in the past year and make resolutions and big goals for the coming year. 

Yet most of us have it backwards when we go about setting goals. We start with our minds before we connect with our hearts.

In this episode of Chain of Learning, yo...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to listen in to "hallway conversations" to discover what senior leaders actually say and reflect on with each other?

If so, you're in the right spot. In this episode, I take you behind-the-scenes with exclusive conversations I had with transformational change leaders and executives in attendance at GE’s The Lean Mindset. This exciting leadership event, hosted by Larry Culp, Chairman and CEO of GE and GE Aerospace, brought together executives from some of the world’s top companies, professional athletes, and thought leaders all focu...

Have you ever felt burned out and exhausted from the constant pressure to perform, to achieve, or to get it “right”? 

Or is your organization putting a lot of effort into improvement projects and strategic initiatives, but you are finding that you aren’t making much improvement and you are working on the same problems year after year?

If so, you might be stuck in what growth mindset and learning organization expert Eduardo Briceño calls the “Performance Paradox”. This is the counterintuitive reality that a constant focus on performing a...

How can simple phrase can change your perspective on you as a person and as a leader?

“Don’t focus on how to DO, but rather on how to BE.”   

In this episode, I explore this meaningful and powerful quote and the impact it has had on me. It reaffirmed what I know to be true about the essence of leadership and making impact personally and professionally.

And it highlights what we often get wrong in our approach to leading organizational cultural transformation and how we t...

What is a growth mindset? How is a growth mindset the critical foundation for an organizational culture of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and innovation? What is the connection between a growth mindset and a Lean mindset? 

Getting comfortable with the struggle inherent in learning something new is challenging. This can be especially true for more senior leaders and executives who have had success in their careers and might feel uncomfortable learning new skills while being out in front. If you are leading organizational change or used to being an expert in your field, it can be challenging f...

What does it really take to create a thriving organization  – one that is not just focused on delivering results, but doing so by engaging people’s minds AND hearts to collaborate, innovate, and solve problems as the way to get to those results?

If you’re trying to create a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement, what’s love got to do with it?

As Jamie Parker and I explore on this episode of Chain of Learning  – a lot! Love, empathy, and human connection is our focus – and you just might...

The pressure to get results and outcomes, to deliver value for customers, and to stay ahead of the competition remains paramount for organizations to survive into the future. 

But what if the way to not just survive –  but also to thrive – is not through a singular focus on the outcomes themselves, but rather the learning process to get there?

If you’re a leader who believes that people are at the center of exceptional organizational culture – and that a commitment to continuous learning is the way to create that culture – where everyone is capable, confident and empowere...

If you’re a leader who knows that people are at the center of exceptional organizational culture – and that a commitment to continuous learning is the way to create that culture – tune in now to Chain of Learning.

Chain of Learning® is where the links of leadership and learning unite.

Join your host, Katie Anderson, internationally recognized leadership consultant, award-winning author of “Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn”, and fellow learning enthusiast, for a journey that will help you master the skills to lead your organization from a traditional culture of “doing” into a vibrant, high-performing...