Episodi

  • 65| From Learning to Impact: Turn Insight into Leadership Action

    65| From Learning to Impact: Turn Insight into Leadership Action
    Feb 4 2026
    What if the reason your learning feels productive—but your impact feels stuck—has nothing to do with effort?Many change leaders and improvement practitioners are excellent learners. You’re likely a Learning Enthusiast—like me. You read the books, attend the workshops, listen to podcasts, and gather ideas with genuine enthusiasm.And yet, despite all that effort, learning doesn’t always turn into impact. In fact, it can sometimes lead to overwhelm or paralysis—more ideas, more options, and less clarity about what to actually do.I’ve lived this pattern myself, and I see it again and again in my work with leaders around the world. When learning becomes something we collect rather than something we practice—and bring to fruition through our habits—it stalls our impact.The challenge isn’t gaining more knowledge.It’s learning how to turn insight into behavior—and connect behavior to results.In this episode, I explore a critical shift: moving from the Chain of Learning® to a Chain of Impact.Instead of treating continuous learning as something to acquire, I invite you to see learning as something to harvest—by making the value chain of impact explicit: turning insight into specific behaviors, practicing them deliberately through doing and reflection, and connecting that practice to the impact it creates for people and results.If you care deeply about learning, growth, and people—and want to build the capability to translate learning into action and impact—this episode will help you do exactly that.YOU’LL LEARNHow to recognize when learning feels productive but isn’t changing how you actually show up as a leaderHow to make the connection between learning, behavior, and impact visible—and actionableWhy behaviors—not intentions, traits, or inspiration—are the real bridge between learning and resultsHow treating leadership actions as experiments helps you learn by doing and reflection, not just aiming for a targetWhy harvesting learning means finishing what’s ready—not endlessly adding more ideas or initiativesIMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/65 Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comDownload my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst Learn more about my Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantripTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:00:59 Why doing more is not mean progress02:13 The invisible trap of when we are focused on learning vs. putting it into practice02:27 Harvest - what it means and why it’s a fitting word for 2026 05:04 The difference between learning and behavior in creating impact05:25 How to apply Intention = Heart + Direction® to close the execution gap07:40 Four key practices to take action on learning to impact your work and life 07:48 [ONE] Make the learning itself concrete and specific09:00 [TWO] Focus on specific observable behaviors, not traits that we want to develop10:48 [THREE] Identify the gap you want to close and identify what you expect to happen and the impact when you put the learning into practice11:42 [FOUR] Reflect and adjust for accelerated improvement12:49 Where intention stems from and why intention plus direction is important to see results13:54 How leaders turn into impact through the Immersive Japan Leadership Experience14:52 Three open ended questions for leaders to reflect on to create a clear action plan17:07 Josef’s experience in shifting from being seen as an expert to a trusted partner18:06 Questions to ask to help break the telling habit21:12 How the meaning of “harvest” is focused on collaboration and creating the space for others to grow22:40 Reflection questions to reflect on to make an impact through your behaviorP.S. This episode happens to be released on my birthday 🎉 If Chain of Learning has made a difference for you, a quick rating and review would mean a lot—and helps others discover the show. Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or rating and comments on an episode on Spotify or YouTube. If Chain of Learning has made a difference for you, a quick rating and review would mean a lot—and helps others discover the show. Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or rating and comments on an episode on Spotify or YouTube.
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    25 min
  • 64| Stop Doing Transformation—and Start Enabling It: Redefine Your Role as a Change Leader [with Jill Forrester]

    64| Stop Doing Transformation—and Start Enabling It: Redefine Your Role as a Change Leader [with Jill Forrester]
    Jan 21 2026
    Apply for the Japan Leadership Experience here:https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/What if the reason leading your organization’s transformation feels heavy isn’t the work itself—but the role you’ve been playing as a change leader?If you’re a change leader, continuous improvement professional, or internal consultant, this tension may feel familiar. You’re helping. You’re busy. You’re delivering results. And before you realize it, you’re wearing every hat—facilitator, teacher, problem-solver, checker—all at once.That was my experience too as an internal change leader. And it’s a pattern I see again and again in my work with internal change leaders and continuous improvement practitioners: when we’re not clear on our role, we become the doers of transformation—when our real work is to enable others to lead it.In this episode of Chain of Learning, I’m joined by Jill Forrester, Director of Continuous Improvement at 3sHealth, to explore the leadership shift that changed how she and her team show up—and the impact they’re having—by moving from helping to intentionally creating the conditions for learning and ownership.If you’ve ever felt the weight of carrying organizational transformation on your shoulders, this conversation will help you see why—and how redefining your role and how you help can change everything.You’ll LearnWhy internal change leaders often become the default doers—and why that role isn’t sustainableHow lack of role clarity creates confusion, overburden, and dependency for leaders and their internal clientsWhat it really means to create the experience for learning, not just drive improvement outcomesWhy clarifying and labeling your role and intention changes how others engageHow shifting from doing to enabling builds capability, ownership, and sustainable transformationABOUT MY GUEST:Jill Forrester has been a leader in health system transformation since 2012. She has collaboratively guided the development of a comprehensive management system at 3sHealth, encompassing patient and customer engagement, problem-solving and process redesign, strategic visioning and deployment, performance measurement, leadership coaching and development, and employee engagement. Jill is an active member of a strong provincial network of continuous quality improvement leaders dedicated to strengthening Saskatchewan’s health system through learning-centered, people-focused practices.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/64 Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comConnect with Jill Forrester: linkedin.com/in/jill-forrester Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonDownload my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst Learn more about my Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantripDiscover how to get out of the Doer Trap: kbjanderson.com/doertrap TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:03:27 Jill’s new role director of continuous improvement and when she realized she needed to make a shift05:00 The question, “Are we actually helping”? that changed how Jill viewed her role07:01 Why starting a training with questions makes a bigger impact10:12 Why opening up space for others to learn and contribute can improve engagement13:56 Two shifts Jill and her team made to clarify their roles for better continuous improvement outcomes and build confidence16:07 Labeling your role (even when it feels awkward) to better guide others to transformation22:47 What lead Jill to invest in the Japan Leadership Experience to take her leadership to the next level25:14 Seeing quality as trust and quality as love to reshape how you think about improvement25:44 What good 5S is as something you feel instead of a checklist27:16 An example of 5S in the Japanese culture29:20 The importance of long term thinking to sustain your company for decades30:42 How giving with two hands can be applied to your organization to show respect and support others33:08 The impact of creating space for others to ask questions and learn more quickly35:05 Doing less doing and creating the conditions to increase results and coach more effectively37:15 Reflections to shift from doers to catalysts of change 38:29 Top recommendation for change leaders and continuous improvement practitioners who want to show up in that different space from doing to enabling40:35 Your role as a change leader and creating an experience for others to learn and to lead change themselves42:38 The impact of an intention pause before your next meeting or discussion to help you shift from doing to enabling Apply for the Japan Leadership Experience here:https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
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    45 min
  • 63| Close the Execution Gap: How Leaders Turn Sustainability Intent into Action [with Rose Heathcote]

    63| Close the Execution Gap: How Leaders Turn Sustainability Intent into Action [with Rose Heathcote]
    Jan 7 2026
    Many major transformations, including lean and sustainability—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.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—are stuck in the execution gap between intent and action.In this episode of Chain of Learning, I’m joined by Rose Heathcote, sustainability expert, lean adviser, and author, to explore sustainability as a leadership and transformation challenge, not just an environmental one.Together, we discuss why sustainability often lives in strategy decks and slogans, but struggles to take root in everyday work, and how leaders can shift their focus upstream to close that gap: to how work is designed, how problems are framed, and how people learn to see new kinds of waste and impact.This conversation goes beyond sustainability to address a pattern that shows up in any transformation—lean, AI-enabled change, or building a people-first learning organization. If you’re working to close the gap between intention and execution, this episode offers perspective and practical starting points for leading meaningful change that lasts.You’ll Learn:What sustainability really means—and why it’s often treated as an aspiration instead of embedded in daily workWhat the sustainability execution gap is, and why it mirrors lean and culture-change failuresWhy shifting problem-solving upstream—from symptoms to root causes—is critical for creating lasting impactHow lean thinking and problem-solving skills enable sustainability and organizational transformation when paired with influence and change leadership skillsWhy speaking the language of business matters for gaining leadership buy-in—and how AI can be used as a thinking partner to support systems thinking and better decisionsABOUT MY GUEST:Rose Heathcote is a speaker, adviser, and Chartered Environmentalist who works at the intersection of Lean thinking and sustainability. She is the founder of Thinking People and the author of "Green Is the New Gold." With decades of experience supporting organizations across industries and regions, Rose focuses on helping leaders move sustainability from aspiration to everyday practice through systems thinking, problem-solving, and people-centered change.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/63 Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comConnect with Rose Heathcote: linkedin.com/in/rose-heathcote Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonDownload my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst Learn more about Rose’s book, “Green is the New Gold”: learn.thinking-people.co.uk/courses/green-is-the-new-gold Learn more about my Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantrip TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:01:04 Why the real challenge with sustainability starts with where the conversation begins02:39 A broader definition of sustainability meeting the needs of people, planet, and future generations04:16 Why people mistake sustainability for “recycling”05:54 The execution gap lean leaders keep running into07:43 A real-world example: when “people first” and sustainability don’t show up in the metrics09:58 Important shifts leaders must make to close the execution gap11:26 Seeing waste, energy loss, and impact through a green lens14:06 Using AI as a thinking partner, not a replacement15:16 The skills leaders must develop in an AI-driven world16:41 How multidisciplinary thinking led to a smarter, more sustainable solution19:19 Why sustainability requires systems thinking across the value chain20:23 How to make progress towards big challenges23:05 The meaning of the Japanese concept, “sanpo yori” and “yanpo yori” for goodness in four ways and happiness for the long term view24:33 How the book “Green is the New Gold,” came to be27:10 Three ways to build better products and be more efficient while reducing impacts on the planet29:19 What we are doing well as a global community to make improvements towards sustainability31:31 How to broaden your lens and use what you already know to do more good32:35 Practical first steps lean leaders can take to apply a sustainability lens at work34:29 Why productivity alone doesn’t reduce damage to the environment36:45 A simple reflection on looking upstream to improve sustainability Apply for the Japan Leadership Experience here:https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
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    40 min
  • 62| Remove the Muda to Reveal the Buddha: Turning Life’s Weight from Waste Into Wisdom

    62| Remove the Muda to Reveal the Buddha: Turning Life’s Weight from Waste Into Wisdom
    Dec 23 2025

    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.”

    In Japanese, muda means waste. And in Lean, muda refers to anything that doesn’t add value.

    I’ve been reflecting on this phrase and its deeper meaning as I process my own life experiences, both personally and professionally.

    This Zen teaching invites us to look inward: to notice what weighs us down, reflect on what it’s trying to teach us, and transform that weight into wisdom.

    As you move forward—whether at the end of a year or in the middle of a busy work period—this episode offers an invitation to slow down, study your experiences, and release what no longer serves you, so that you can lead your life and work with greater intention, clarity, and a continuous learning mindset.

    YOU’LL LEARN:

    • What Daruma dolls reveal about resilience, focus, and habits rooted in practice, not perfection
    • What “Remove the muda to reveal the Buddha” means beyond lean – and how reflection helps turn inner weight into wisdom
    • Four additional Zen teachings that apply to effective leadership, helping change leaders move beyond tools to presence, purpose, and a growth mindset
    • A simple reflection practice to reframe or release muda so it supports – not burdens – your growth
    • The distinction between goals and intentions, and why letting your being guide your doing leads to more meaningful progress

    IMPORTANT LINKS:

    • Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/62
    • Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.com
    • Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjanderson
    • Learn more about my Japan Leadership Experience: KBJAnderson.com/japantrip
    • Get a copy of “Learning to Lead Leading to Learn”: KBJAnderson.com/learning-to-lead
    • Video clip of the daruma temple: Leadership Lessons from Japan’s Daruma Temple

    TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:

    01:55 Daruma dolls and what they represent
    03:28 How Zazen meditation can bring you back to inner peace and inner being
    04:26 What it means to “Remove the muda to reveal the Buddha”
    06:43 The burden Isao Yoshino carried of what he considered was his big failure as a business leader and the shift in perspective to lift the burden, as highlighted in “Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn”
    08:07 Four Zen teachings and how to apply them as a transformational change leader

    12:00 How the burning of daruma dolls each year show reflection in practice

    13:05 Your intentional practice to help you remove the muda
    13:36 3 examples of how to use this reflection process to adjust or release so to turn waste into wisdom
    13:49 Example 1: You’ve been stuck in constant doing
    14:16 Example 2: Your plans didn’t unfold as expected

    15:07 Example 3: A relationship has shifted
    16:38 The distinction between goals vs intentions—being and doing
    17:31 How to “Remove the muda to reveal the buddha” to release the weight you carry and move forward


    Apply for the Japan Leadership Experience here:
    https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
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    19 min
  • 61| Reflections from the Japan Leadership Experience: Live from Tokyo [with Nick Kemp] (BONUS)

    61| Reflections from the Japan Leadership Experience: Live from Tokyo [with Nick Kemp] (BONUS)
    Dec 17 2025
    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 Experience wrapped up—I’m joined by Ikigai expert and past Chain of Learning guest Nick Kemp, who spent the week with my Japan program cohort in November 2025 as both a participant and speaker. Still energized from the experience, we sat down to capture our reflections while they were still vivid.You'll hear us revisit the moments that stood out, the leaders who inspired us, and the Japanese concepts that came alive throughout the week—ikigai, kaizen, ichigo ichie, omotenashi, sanpo yoshi, and more.This unscripted conversation offers a glimpse into what my Japan Leadership Experience is all about: a week of learning, community, and connection that helps global executives, lean practitioners, and change leaders discover the essence of respect for people—and “hold precious what it means to be human”—and how to create a culture of excellence.YOU’LL LEARN:How the Japan Leadership Experience creates an ibasho—a place where you feel you truly belong—and why this is foundational for leadershipHow Japanese companies view revitalization through kaizen as both a business strategy and a people-centered philosophyWhat the debate over whether it’s “seven wastes vs. eight wastes” in lean and Toyota Production System reveals about how we teach, learn, and complicate continuous improvementWhy immersive learning matters—and how stepping away from your daily responsibilities helps you reconnect with purpose and see challenges through a new lensWhy long-term relationships and trust sit at the heart of meaningful learning and business success.If there’s one thing to take away from this episode, it’s this:Transformation happens when you step outside your routine and into intentional space for reflection, learning, and community.ABOUT MY GUEST:Nicholas Kemp, is the founder of Ikigai Tribe and is the author of IKIGAI-KAN: Feel a Life Worth Living and co-author with Professor Daiki Kato of Rolefulness:A Guide to Purposeful Living. IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/61 Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comConnect with Nick Kemp: linkedin.com/in/nicholas-kemp Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonCheck out Nick Kemp’’s website: ikigaitribe.com Listen to Nick’s Ikigai Tribe podcast: ikigaitribe.com/podcasts Download my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst Learn more about my Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantrip TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:01:54 The story behind how Nick and Katie first met03:55 Katie and Nick’s shared connection of living in Japan04:45 What Katie loves about her special relationships with Japanese business leaders06:23 What lead Katie to start the Japan Leadership Experience09:47 How living in Japan and developing relationships with Japanese businesses and Toyota leaders led to Katie to write the book “Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn” and start the Japan Leadership Experience programs Japan Leadership Experience11:33 The parallel process with writing the book and leading the first program12:34 The definition of “ibasho” and how the Japan Leadership Experience is about being in a place where you can feel like yourself15:03 How the word “revitalize” is used in Japan by leaders as the reason for kaizen15:41 Katie’s favorite parts of leading her Japan Leadership Experience cohorts17:41 The planning behind the scenes to make the experience a success18:55 Katie’s connection to her role in bringing people together for learning and connection21:08 Nick’s biggest takeaway during the week in Japan on the Japan Leadership Experience23:56 How different cultures have a different sense of urgency and the difference between Japanese culture and Western culture in relationship to kaizen activities25:25 Starting the day with a morning meeting, “chorei” connected to greater purpose and feeling inspired to do more26:37 The key to being more roleful and the book “Rolefulness”28:47 What “sanpo-yoshi” means – goodness in three ways – operating in three- way goodness for customer, company, and community 31:27 The importance of sustainability in Japanese culture32:31 Clarity on the debate of seven waste or eight waste in lean from a Toyota leader34:44 The essence of being over doing36:01 An ...
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    46 min
  • 60| Bounce Back From a Faceplant: How to Flip the Script on Failure [with Melisa Buie and Keeley Hurley]

    60| Bounce Back From a Faceplant: How to Flip the Script on Failure [with Melisa Buie and Keeley Hurley]
    Dec 10 2025
    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.Together, we explore what really happens beneath the surface when we stumble—and what it takes to get back up with clarity, confidence, and intention. Just like Daruma dolls represent the Japanese proverb “Fall down seven times, get up eight,” always righting themselves when knocked over, our path to success comes from acknowledging the stumbles, setbacks, and faceplants that are inherent along the way. What matters is that we don’t get stuck—we get up and learn our way forward.YOU’LL LEARN:What’s at risk when leaders fear failure, and how organizations unintentionally teach people to avoid mistakesThe FREE model (Focus, Reflect, Explore, Engage) as a practical way to get back up, learn forward, and regain clarity after a setbackEmotional hijacks to watch for—including the four instinctive patterns in the Conspirator Matrix: machine, magician, statue, and satelliteWhy embracing a growth mindset frees you to experiment, learn, and release perfection when things don’t go as plannedContinuous improvement practices like reflection (post-mortems) and anticipation (pre-mortems) that strengthen learning before and after challenges occurIf a setback has ever left you uncertain about your next step in building a people-centered culture, this conversation offers a compassionate, practical path to learn your way forward when you fall down.ABOUT MY GUESTS:Dr. Melisa Buie is a laser physicist–turned–problem solver with a PhD in Nuclear Engineering/Plasma Physics and decades of leadership in manufacturing at Coherent, Lam Research, Applied Materials, and Advanced Energy. She’s published 40+ papers, holds 6 patents, and is a Six Sigma Black Belt. Melisa is the co-author of Faceplant: FREE Yourself from Failure’s Funk, where she turns hard-won lessons into practical wisdom for navigating setbacks.Keeley Hurley is a continuous improvement leader with 20+ years in engineering, manufacturing, and quality, and a Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence. Known for her humility and humor, she brings real-world experience from the many “faceplants” that shaped her problem-solving approach. She is the co-author of Faceplant: FREE Yourself from Failure’s Funk, blending lessons from her own missteps into tools for resilience and growth.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/60 Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comConnect with Melisa Buie: linkedin.com/in/melisabuieConnect with Keeley Hurley: linkedin.com/in/keeleyhurleyFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonCheck out Melissa and Keeley’s book, Faceplant: FREE Yourself from Failure’s FunkTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:01:46 What inspired the book, “Faceplant”02:56 The emotion behind failure that keeps us stuck05:53 Getting over the hump of the funk knowing others experience failure07:03 The meaning of the equation, anxiety = care x uncertainty where our anxiety is amplified08:25 Why the care factor amplifies when when others are involved10:01 The pre-mortem exercise to reduce anxiety by anticipating what could go wrong12:01 How faceplanting is similar to daruma dolls in getting up after we fall12:44 The aspects of the FREE model in freeing yourself from failure14:25 Breaking down the acronym FREE: Focus, Reflect, Explore, Engage17:01 The meaning of the Japanese word, hansei, that means deep self-reflection in improving how we react17:53 The four quadrant system and determining which quadrant triggers our fight or flight response20:25 How the four quadrants were determined 21:51 An example of how fear held Keeley back in an emotional hijack in the laser industry22:47 Melisa’s personal experience in having a fixed mindset when faced with failure23:56 How Melisa moved from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset and taking chances26:13 Ways to approach failure in an organizational level28:40 Importance of clarifying expectations instead of adding pressure on ourselves30:02 The meaning behind the phrase, “By learning the wrong lesson, you can get stuck with a Life Sentence” 31:24 The both/and thinking that both Melisa and Keeley had to face in embracing failure36:55 How to apply the concept of hansei in reflecting on a current change initiative and how to learn from failure39:06 Two ways to reflect on this episode to get past face plants and building small intentional...
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    41 min
  • 59| Get Better at Getting Better: Leveraging AI to Elevate Human Learning [with Nathen Harvey]

    59| Get Better at Getting Better: Leveraging AI to Elevate Human Learning [with Nathen Harvey]
    Nov 26 2025
    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.Drawing on new findings from the DORA 2025 report on AI-assisted software development, we dig into what truly drives high performance – regardless of your industry or work – and how AI can either accelerate learning or amplify bottlenecks.If you lead or work on any kind of team you’ll discover how to use AI thoughtfully, so it supports learning and strengthens the people-centered learning culture you’re trying to build.YOU’LL LEARN:How AI accelerates learning—or intensifies friction—based on how teams use itWhy AI magnifies what already exists, and why stronger human learning habits matter more than stronger toolsThe seven DORA team archetypes—and how to quickly spot strengths, gaps, and next steps for more effective collaborationHow to use team characteristics to target where AI (or any tech) will truly move the needle and support continuous improvementHow the Toyota Production System / lean principle of jidoka—automation with a human touch—guides us to use AI to elevate human capability, not replace itABOUT MY GUEST:Nathen Harvey, Developer Relations Engineer, leads the DORA team at Google Cloud. DORA enables teams and organizations to thrive by making industry-shaping research accessible and actionable. Nathen has learned and shared lessons from some incredible organizations, teams, and open source communities. He is a co-author of multiple DORA reports on software delivery performance and is a sought after speaker in DevOps and software development. IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/59 Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comConnect with Nathan Harvey: linkedin.com/in/nathen Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonLearn more about DORA: dora.dev/publications Join the DORA community: dora.community Download my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst Learn more about my coaching, trusted advisor partnerships, and leadership learning experiences: KBJAnderson.com TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:03:04 What DORA is and how it’s used as a research program for continuous improvement04:31 AI’s primary role in software development as an amplifier where organizations are functioning well and where there’s friction05:53 Using AI to generate more code in software engineering07:03 Danger of creating more bottlenecks when you try to speed up processes07:44 Importance of a value stream to understand the customer journey10:41 How value mapping creates visibility across silos so others see different parts of the whole process10:55 The process of gathering information for the State of AI Assisted Software Development report12:20 Finding seven team characteristics based on a survey of 5,000 respondents and learning how to leverage the results to improve performance14:18 Examples of several team characteristics and how it applies over various industries16:33 The negative impact of focusing on the wrong process that impacts the throughput17:00 Focusing at different types of waste to prevent undue pressure on people17:51 What DORA has found in having a tradeoff in having fast and stable production pushes vs. working slow and rolling back changes18:50 Three big things you need to improve throughput and quality19:44 Why the legacy bottleneck team archetype is unstable with elevated levels of friction21:22 Why harmonious high achievers deliver sustainable high quality work without the burnout22:37 How the report findings are being used to help improve organizations23:42 Seven capabilities of the DORA AI Capabilities Model in amplifying the impact of AI adoption to improve team and product performance26:27 The capability of executing in small batches to see the process through to fruition28:52 How to leverage AI to elevate human work vs machine work30:58 The benefits of AI in making new skills accessible, but does not make anyone experts in a specific skill31:44 Leveraging AI to help you complete tasks that would’ve taken longer32:43 Using AI to elevate creative thinking, but doesn’t replace your thoughts33:56 Ability to ask AI “dumb” questions to improve collaboration across teams34:49 Creating an experiential learning experience where there's not a step-by-step path on how to reach outcomes37:08 Importance of collaboration when moving from point A to point B37:35 The difference between trainers and facilitators39:03 Using the DORA report to form a hypothesis for ...
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    48 min
  • 58| People First: Why Leaders Get It Backwards with Lean and Operational Excellence

    58| People First: Why Leaders Get It Backwards with Lean and Operational Excellence
    Nov 12 2025
    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-centered learning culture—one where developing others isn’t an afterthought, but the foundation that enables operational excellence and, ultimately, better business outcomes.Effective leadership begins when you shift from managing results to developing people—creating the conditions for continuous improvement, engagement, and growth.When you put people first, results follow.Whether you are a senior executive, lean practitioner, or team leader, that’s how you build organizations that learn, adapt, and thrive—today and for generations to come.YOU’LL LEARN:How Toyota’s philosophy of Monozukuri wa hitozukuri (“We make people so we can make things”) shapes a people-first culture of learning and improvementWhy focusing on people → process → results (not the reverse) drives lasting impact across teams and organizationsThe interdependence of three qualities that support business success —quality of people development, quality of work, and quality of results – to create sustainable impact Insights from real leaders about how shifting from results-focused to people-focused leadership led to significant measurable improvement in business outcomesHow to model intentional leadership practices to develop people, foster engagement, and sustain a culture of continuous learning and improvementIMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/58 Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonLearn more about my Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantripTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:01:51 What leadership with purpose truly means02:06 Why Toyota’s motto, “ The only secret to Toyota is its attitude towards learning,” is its secret to success03:18 Three interrelated qualities that determine lasting business success represented by a pyramid03:45 [Third level] Results - The outcomes customers see04:12 [Second level] Process - The technical and operational systems that make the work flow better04:37 [First level] People - The foundation that nurtures people, problem-solving, and learning05:28 Why the Western approach is backwards when it comes to people, processes, and results06:50 The meaning of the quote, “profit is excrement,” that captures the backwardness of the usual business approach to success07:39 The difference between lean as a transactional toolkit versus a way of nurturing people and problem solving at all levels07:53 Why putting people first is not just in Japan or for Toyota leaders08:41 Leaders who put people first as the foundation for success10:12 The challenge in putting people first10:38 An example from Gustavo of why our intentions and our actions are aligned12:29 Gustavo’s realization that he had a people engagement problem13:20 The positive results in engagement when he focused on people first14:08 What leadership in action looks like14:35 What it really means to create a chain of learning across your organization15:00 The two pillars of the Toyota Way15:43 Three questions to ask yourself as you reflect on this episode16:26 Questions to ask your people to create a cycle of reflection and continuous improvement17:13 How to build organizations and leaders that last Apply for the Japan Leadership Experience here:https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
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    19 min