The Lean Solutions Podcast

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
In this episode of the Lean Solutions Podcast, Catherine McDonald sits down with Kathy Miller to explore why successful transformations are driven by people, not just processes.

You'll learn how trust, meaningful work, optimism, and strong relationships create lasting cultural change, why consistency is essential for leaders, and how simple daily leadership habits can increase engagement and continuous improvement across any organization.

Whether you're leading a Lean transformation, managing a manufacturing team, or looking to build a stronger workplace culture, this episode offers practical insights for creating lasting change through people-first leadership.

Key Takeaways:
1. Great transformations begin with trust
2. People need purpose—not just processes
3. Culture changes through consistent leadership
4. Positive psychology strengthens Lean
Links:
https://more4leaders.com/
linkedin.com/in/kathy-miller-mapp-mba-acc
https://www.findleansolutions.com/
https://www.findleansolutions.com/lean-summit/

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

In this episode, Catherine McDonald and Shayne Daughenbaugh welcome Michael Parent to discuss SIPOC, one of the most effective tools for understanding and improving business processes. Michael explains how SIPOC (Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers) helps teams define process boundaries, identify stakeholders, and maintain focus on delivering customer value.

The conversation explores different approaches to building a SIPOC, including why Michael prefers starting with the customer before mapping the process itself. They also discuss how SIPOC fits into Lean and Six Sigma problem-solving, how it helps prevent scope creep, and why it serves as a strong foundation for process mapping, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement efforts.

Whether you're leading a process improvement project or trying to better understand how work flows through your organization, this episode provides practical guidance on using SIPOC to create clarity and alignment from the start.

Key Takeaways:
1. SIPOC provides a high-level view of a process and helps clearly define project scope and boundaries.
2. Keeping the customer at the center of the discussion ensures improvement efforts remain focused on delivering value.
3. SIPOC serves as a powerful starting point for process mapping, stakeholder analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.
4. The most effective SIPOCs involve the right mix of stakeholders and subject matter experts while avoiding unnecessary complexity and scope creep.
Links:
mparent@sixsigma-consulting.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/parent-michael/
https://www.findleansolutions.com/summit-2026/
https://www.findleansolutions.com/

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Spotlight Episode!!

As we continue revisiting some of the conversations that sparked meaningful discussions, we’re bringing back this episode of the Lean Solutions Podcast with Patrick Adams and Shayne Daughenbaugh.

In this conversation, Patrick and Shayne explore what new leaders should focus on when stepping into a Lean journey. Instead of jumping straight into tools and solutions, they discuss the importance of understanding the current state, building relationships, developing people, and creating the right environment for improvement.

From creating a model area for experimentation to learning through failure, this episode highlights why successful Lean transformation starts with leadership, trust, and capability building.
Key Takeaways
Your Role Determines Your Strategy
Start with Listening, Not Implementing
Culture Before Tools
Perspective Changes Everything

Links:
Lean Solutions 2026 Summit
Lean Solutions Website
⁠⁠Click Here For Shayne Daughenbaugh’s LinkedIn⁠
⁠⁠⁠Click Here For Patrick Adams’ LinkedIn⁠⁠

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
In this episode, Catherine McDonald and Shayne Daughenbaugh discuss the practical realities of capturing, creating, and deploying Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in fast-growing organizations. Drawing from Shayne’s experience leading SOP standardization across multiple locations, they explore how businesses can create consistency while maintaining a human-centered approach.

The conversation highlights why SOPs are more than compliance documents. They serve as the foundation for customer experience, employee training, and continuous improvement. Shayne shares a step-by-step framework for identifying priority processes, working with subject matter experts, and leveraging video recordings and AI tools to simplify documentation and accelerate SOP creation.

If your organization struggles with inconsistent processes, scattered documentation, or SOPs that nobody uses, this episode offers practical strategies for building documentation that is both useful and sustainable.

Key Takeaways:
1. SOPs should create consistency across locations to deliver a reliable customer experience.
2. Video-based process capture preserves valuable expertise, context, and real-world best practices better than traditional written documentation.
3. AI and transcription tools can significantly speed up SOP creation while reducing administrative effort.
4. SOPs are most effective when treated as living documents that support continuous improvement, not just compliance or record-keeping.
Links:
Lean Solutions Summit
Lean Solutions Website

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
In this special Lean Solutions Summit episode, Patrick Adams sits down with keynote speakers Richard Sheridan, Joe Dyer, and Jason Schroeder to discuss the summit theme: Better Together: People Plus Innovation.

The conversation explores the growing role of AI, automation, and technology in today's organizations while emphasizing that sustainable success still depends on people, leadership, and culture. Each guest shares their perspective on innovation, explaining why human-centered leadership, respect for people, and continuous learning remain critical regardless of technological advancements.

You'll hear insights on creating joyful workplace cultures, developing a stewardship mindset, and building organizations rooted in respect and stability. The speakers also discuss the importance of reducing fear during times of change, preparing future leaders, and creating environments where people can thrive alongside innovation.

If you're curious about the future of leadership, Lean thinking, and how organizations can embrace innovation without losing their focus on people, this episode offers a powerful preview of the ideas and conversations that will take center stage at the Lean Solutions Summit.

Key Takeaways:
1. Innovation should enhance people—not replace them
2. Great leadership requires stewardship, humility, and a commitment to developing others
3. Respect, stability, and psychological safety are essential foundations for continuous improvement
4. The future belongs to organizations that successfully combine technology, innovation, and human-centered leadership
Links: 
Lean Solutions Summit
Lean Solutions Website