Best Continuousimprovement Podcasts (2024)

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133 - How do I deal with a bad boss? 25:03

6h ago25:03

25:03

There is an old saying in business psychology: People rarely leave a company; they normally leave a manager! Not all bosses are good bosses, yet at the same time, not all bosses people think are bad are really bad bosses. Sometimes what appears as a difficult boss, is actually a different style that evokes a reaction from some of the people working…

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8 Dimensions of Quality: Misunderstanding Quality (Part 2) 32:10

5d ago32:10

32:10

In this episode, Bill Bellows and Andrew Stotz discuss David Garvin's 8 Dimensions of Quality and how they apply in the Deming world. Bill references this article by Garvin: https://hbr.org/1987/11/competing-on-the-eight-dimensions-of-quality TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.4 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I'll be your host as we continue our journe…

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132 - How do I find purpose (in life)? 17:51

17d ago17:51

17:51

Continuing with our series of podcasts exploring questions that come up during coaching sessions, this podcast builds on episode 131, this time looking at how you find your purpose in life (not just work). In this episode, Ricky and Graham, chat about life's purpose, talking through the different areas of life, and the different things that motivat…

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Quality, Back to the Start! Misunderstanding Quality (Part 1) 35:12

12d ago35:12

35:12

Where did your "quality journey" start? In this first episode of a new series on quality, Bill Bellows shares his "origin story," the evolution of his thinking, and why the Deming philosophy is unique. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.3 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I'll be your host as we continue our journey in the teachings of Dr. W Edwards Demin…

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131 - How do I find purpose (at work)? 20:41

1M ago20:41

20:41

Most of us spend over a third of our time at work - until we get to retire! Next to sleep is the part of our life that we spend the most time doing, yet often, we have no idea why we are there or what we are trying to achieve. Yeah, we are there for the money, and that means hitting some goals, but is that enough? What makes work meaningful? What i…

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Goal Setting is Often an Act of Desperation: Part 6 38:12

27d ago38:12

38:12

In the final episode of the goal setting in classrooms series, John Dues and Andrew Stotz discuss the last three of the 10 Key Lessons for implementing Deming in schools. They finish up with the example of Jessica's 4th-grade science class. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.4 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I'll be your host as we continue our journey …

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Goal Setting is Often an Act of Desperation: Part 5 28:58

1M ago28:58

28:58

In this episode, John Dues and Andrew Stotz apply lessons five through seven of the 10 Key Lessons for implementing Deming in classrooms. They continue using Jessica's fourth-grade science class as an example to illustrate the concepts in action. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.2 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz and I'll be your host as we continue our jou…

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130 - How can I be successful and have balance in my life? 18:45

1M ago18:45

18:45

Continuing our journey into the questions that often come up in coaching sessions, in this podcast Richard and Paul explore how success in demanding jobs and work-life balance often can seem incompatible. Creating balance is a popular topic, with no end of articles and influencers talking about the tricks to create balance, or the sacrifices requir…

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How to Test for Understanding: Awaken Your Inner Deming (part 22) 36:35

2M ago36:35

36:35

How do you know that the learning you and your colleagues are doing is leading to changes in behavior? In this episode, Bill and Andrew discuss little tests you can do to see if the transformation you're working toward is really happening. 0:00:02.0 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz and I'll be your host as we continue our journey into the teac…

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129 - How do I become comfortable with uncertainty? 17:45

2M ago17:45

17:45

Uncertainty has become a very present factor of modern working life, yet almost all of us crave certainty and spend a lot of our time and effort working very hard to create as much of it as we can. Only to find that uncertainty often wins out! In this podcast, part of a mini-series looking at the questions and topics that often come up in coaching …

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128 - What are my Values? 20:24

2M ago20:24

20:24

Another podcast in our mini series exploring some of the questions that come up in coaching sessions, in this episode of the podcast, Richard and Paul discuss the questions that is asked without ever being asked, what are my values? Values are at the heart of behaviours, driving both purpose and actions. Yet, we are often oblivious to them and thei…

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Transparency Among Friends: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 21) 32:51

2M ago32:51

32:51

How can you make lasting change at your organization? Recruit your friends! In this discussion, Bill Bellows lays out his experience recruiting and working with a small group to make big changes in a large company. 0:00:02.5 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz and I'll be your host as we continue our journey into the teachings of Dr. W. Edwards D…

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Goal Setting is Often an Act of Desperation: Part 4 31:02

3M ago31:02

31:02

Can a 4th grade class decide on an operational definition of "joy in learning"? In part 4 of this series, educator John Dues and host Andrew Stotz discuss a real-world example of applying Deming in a classroom. This episode covers the first part of the story, with more to come in future episodes! 0:00:02.3 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and…

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127 - What's the point? 16:57

3M ago16:57

16:57

Sometimes (at work) we get a little lost. Maybe our actions are not working, our dreams suddenly appear unattainable, or we become disconnected from the purpose. It may happen slowly over time or can be a sudden upheaval when things around us change. It can be very disconcerting to feel lost, yet many of us experience it at some point. As coaches, …

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System of Profound Wisdom: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 20) 46:09

3M ago46:09

46:09

Dr. Deming developed his philosophy over time and in conversations with others, not in isolation. As learners, we tend to forget that context, but it's important to remember because no one implements Deming in isolation, either. In this conversation, Bill Bellows and host Andrew Stotz discuss how there's no such thing as a purely Deming organizatio…

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126 - How can I be successful when I don’t have enough time? 19:51

3M ago19:51

19:51

Continuing our series of podcasts that explore the most common questions asked in coaching sessions, Rob and Paul explore the very common topic of time in this podcast. A range of time questions come up, all of which centre around the genuine issue of having more things to do than the time available. Time management skills are essential to modern w…

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Transforming How We Think: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 19) 36:17

3M ago36:17

36:17

What happens if you transform HOW you think? In this episode, Bill Bellows and host Andrew Stotz discuss the problem of thinking in one dimension at a time (as we were taught in school) and its impact on our ability to solve problems. BONUS: Book recommendations to broaden your understanding of Deming and more. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.1 Andrew Stotz: My…

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Goal Setting Is Often An Act of Desperation: Part 3 29:48

3M ago29:48

29:48

In part 3 of this series, John Dues and host Andrew Stotz talk about the final 5 lessons for data analysis in education. Dive into this discussion to learn more about why data analysis is essential and how to do it right. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.4 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz and I'll be your host as we continue our journey into the teachings o…

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125 - How can I deal with the feedback I am getting? 12:45

4M ago12:45

12:45

Let's face it, none of us really love getting feedback. We know it is important, and helps us grow, It is also hard to hear sometimes and often badly delivered. Sometimes, it feels like it is easier to not be told, even though we know that is not really the right answer! This podcast is part of a series based on the questions that come up the most …

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Organizations are Holograms: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 18) 35:05

4M ago35:05

35:05

In this episode, Bill Bellows and host Andrew Stotz discuss seeing organizations as holograms—3D images. Holograms show all parts from different views at once. Learn how using the lens of the System of Profound Knowledge lets you see the problems and opportunities for transformation. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.5 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I…

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Goal Setting Is Often An Act of Desperation: Part 2 32:57

4M ago32:57

32:57

Do you struggle to meet your goals or targets? Find out how you can change your thinking about goals and your process for setting them so you can keep moving forward. In this episode, John Dues and host Andrew Stotz discuss the first five of John's 10 Key Lessons for Data Analysis. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:03.0 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz and I'll…

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124 - Who am I to lead people? 15:04

4M ago15:04

15:04

We are back with new podcasts for 2024, and we are starting the year with some of the questions that we get asked as coaches. In this episode, Rob and Paul explore the question most new leaders ask themselves: What makes me worthy of being a leader? There are several reasons why people pose this question, from self-doubt, to seeing the capability o…

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Transformation is Never Complete: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 17) 38:29

4M ago38:29

38:29

In The New Economics, Deming said “The individual, transformed, will perceive new meaning to his life…” (3rd edition, page 63) But are we ever completely transformed? Discover why Bill Bellows believes that transformation is an ongoing process and how you can keep your learning journey going. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.2 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Sto…

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Goal Setting Is Often An Act of Desperation: Part 1 38:57

4M ago38:57

38:57

Did Dr. Deming forbid setting goals? Dive into this discussion about healthy goal setting, learn why your process matters, and the four things you need to understand before you start on goals. This episode is the first in a 4-part series about goal setting. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.2 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz and I'll be your host as we conti…

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Get Off Of My Cloud: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 16) 41:55

5M ago41:55

41:55

"The Cloud" is a metaphor for the top level of corporate authority - the CEO, CFO, CTO and maybe some Vice President positions. And if you're trying to transform an organization, your ideas need to penetrate the Cloud - but how? In this episode, Bill Bellows and host Andrew Stotz talk about influencing others with the aim of transformation. TRANSCR…

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Commit to Transformation: Deming in Schools Case Study (Part 20) 35:54

5M ago35:54

35:54

What does it mean to "commit" to transformation? What does "transformation" mean? In this episode, John Dues and host Andrew Stotz discuss Point 14 of Dr. Deming's 14 Points for Management - with John's interpretations for educators. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.2 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I'll be your host as we continue our journey into th…

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Start Where You Are: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 15) 45:37

5M ago45:37

45:37

In this episode, Bill Bellows and host Andrew Stotz talk about where and how to start using your new knowledge when you're learning Deming. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.1 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I'll be your host as we continue our journey into the teachings of Dr. W. Edwards Deming. Today, I'm continuing my discussion with Bill Bellows, w…

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Go Beyond Skills Training: Deming in Schools Case Study (Part 19) 26:00

6M ago26:00

26:00

What's the difference between education and training? Why is the distinction important? How does the Deming lens offer a new perspective on teacher effectiveness? In this episode, John Dues and host Andrew Stotz talk about why it's important to go beyond skills training and encourage education for personal growth. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:00.0 Andrew Stotz:…

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Remove Barriers To Joy In Learning: Deming in Schools Case Study (part 18) 36:46

6M ago36:46

36:46

How do grading systems, teacher ratings, school rankings, and other programs like those create barriers to learning? Should we eliminate them entirely, or do they have their place? John Dues and host Andrew Stotz talk about how to preserve joy in learning. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.4 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz. I'll be your host as we continue …

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Eliminate Management by Extremes: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 14) 47:43

6M ago47:43

47:43

Many businesses equate "manager" with "leader," excluding potential leaders from across the organization. In this episode, Bill Bellows and host Andrew Stotz talk about leadership in Deming organizations - with a great story about senior "leaders" making a huge error in judgment at a conference of auditors. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.0 Andrew Stotz: My nam…

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Does Competition Create Wins? Role of a Manager in Education (Part 14) 18:07

6M ago18:07

18:07

Who wins when teams and team members compete with each other? In this final episode in the Role of a Manager in Education series, David Langford and Andrew Stotz discuss why cooperation beats competition, particularly in schools. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.5 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz and I'll be your host as we continue our journey into the tea…

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123 - Why is reflection important in the workplace? 29:32

7M ago29:32

29:32

There are moments, often, when we hit milestones that symbolise the end of something (like the end of a year), that we stop and take a moment to look back. These moments are opportunities to reflect, to learn and to prepare to start again. Yet, in work, these moments are missed as we jump from project to project, urgent task to urgent task. Urgency…

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The Unhurried Conversation: Role of a Manager in Education (Part 13) 14:28

7M ago14:28

14:28

What are unhurried conversations, and why should managers prioritize them? In this episode, David Langford and host Andrew Stotz talk about the kinds of conversations managers should be having with their team members. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.5 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I'll be your host as we continue our journey into the teachings of D…

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Eliminate Arbitrary Numerical Targets: Deming in Schools Case Study (Part 17) 34:48

7M ago34:48

34:48

Quotas, arbitrary targets, work standards with numerical goals - these don't seem to apply to schools. But, as John Dues and host Andrew Stotz discuss, quotas show up a lot in classrooms, causing harm and preventing improvement. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.4 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I'll be your host as we continue our journey into the tea…

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122 - Why don't New Years Resolutions work? 27:19

7M ago27:19

27:19

It is that time of year, when we start to reflect on the year and promise ourselves that next year will be different. Next year, we will be fitter, healthier, more successful and just so much better. Sadly, for most of us, New Year's Resolutions have the nasty habit of fading away as life pushes us back to old habits and practices. So, what if this…

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Integration and the Taguchi Loss Function: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 13) 35:49

7M ago35:49

35:49

Should we strive to better understand what happens "downstream" to our defect-free work? No matter the setting, if our work meets requirements and we pass it on, are we responsible for how well it integrates into a bigger system? In this episode, Bill Bellows and Andrew Stotz expand on the interaction between variation and systems and why Dr. Demin…

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121 - How can you become a communication superhero? 19:21

8M ago19:21

19:21

In this podcast, Rob and Ricky don their capes and dive into the world of stellar communication. (what they get up to in their own time is up to them!) What does it take to be a true communication superhero in an era riddled with distractions, impatience, and information overload? Being an effective communicator isn't just about conveying messages;…

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Pitfalls of Slogans and Targets: Deming in Schools Case Study (Part 16) 39:56

8M ago39:56

39:56

Slogans and exhortations don't work to motivate people. Targets usually encourage manipulation or cheating. John Dues and Andrew Stotz discuss how these three strategies can hinder improvement, frustrate teachers and students, and even cause nationwide scandals. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.4 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz. I'll be your host as we con…

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Integration Excellence: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 12) 36:28

8M ago36:28

36:28

What does it mean that people feel connected and included when something good happens yet dissociate when something bad happens? In this episode, Bill Bellows and Andrew Stotz discuss the human side of integration. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.9 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I'll be your host as we continue our journey into the teachings of Dr. …

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120 - What are the common communication mistakes that trip us up? 25:30

8M ago25:30

25:30

Rob and Ricky as they dive headfirst into the intricate web of common communication pitfalls that leave many of us scratching our heads, wondering, "Where did that go wrong?" Have you ever sat through a meeting and thought it was a complete waste of time? We explore the impact of poorly conducted meetings - how they not only drain our time but also…

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Do You Listen to Speak or Listen to Learn? Role of a Manager in Education (Part 12) 21:37

8M ago21:37

21:37

Listening to understand and learn is often harder than not-really-listening because you're thinking about what to say. Dr. Deming emphasized learning and was excited about ideas he heard from others every day. In this episode, David Langford and Andrew Stotz talk about why and how managers, including teachers, should listen to staff or students. TR…

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How to Break Down Barriers: Deming in Schools Case Study (Part 15) 27:39

8M ago27:39

27:39

Most people agree: teamwork and collaboration generate greater results than isolation and silos. So why do we let barriers get in the way? In this episode, John Dues and host Andrew Stotz talk about barriers to collaboration and how to break them down. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.7 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I'll be your host as we continue …

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119 - How does poor communication impact the workplace? 18:57

9M ago18:57

18:57

With an alarming statistic revealing that a staggering 70% of errors in the workplace can be traced back to miscommunication, it's no wonder that businesses are feeling the pinch. Dive deeper, and you'll find that poor communication ranks as the number one concern for a majority of businesses, overshadowing even financial concerns or market competi…

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In Search of Excellence: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 11) 45:07

9M ago45:07

45:07

What's the difference between Compliance Excellence and Contextual Excellence? Is one better than the other? Which one does a Deming organization pursue? In this episode, Bill Bellows and host Andrew Stotz talk about the variety of types of excellence, and why they matter. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.7 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz and I'll be your …

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Drive Out Fear: Deming in Schools Case Study (Part 14) 27:12

9M ago27:12

27:12

What causes fear in an organization? How is fear hurting employee morale, productivity, and overall performance? What great things can happen when you remove fear? In this episode, John Dues and host Andrew Stotz talk about fear, and how managers can get rid of it. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.6 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I'll be your host as…

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118 - Why do we keep getting communication so wrong? 25:19

9M ago25:19

25:19

Did you know that, according to a Forbes (March 2023), only about a third of companies believe they communicate effectively? In this episode, Rob and Ricky dive into the complex realm of communication, a skill so integral yet so frequently misinterpreted. They explore why most companies fail to communicate effectively and share some of the stumblin…

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Are You Expecting Perfection? Role of a Manager in Education (Part 11) 13:25

9M ago13:25

13:25

Perfection may be your goal, but unless you create an artificial environment, you're not going to get it. David Langford and host Andrew Stotz discuss how good managers/teachers let go of perfection and, instead, understand variation, then work on the system to produce better and better outcomes for everyone. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.6 Andrew Stotz: My n…

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It Depends! Rethinking Improvements: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 10) 45:06

9M ago45:06

45:06

When we answer a question with "it depends" we are asking for more information about the possible variables that will inform the answer. In this episode, Bill Bellows and host Andrew Stotz discuss how, in the Deming world, "it depends" can trigger improvements in processes or products and services. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.6 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andr…

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117 - What causes us to fear failure? 23:13

10M ago23:13

23:13

We have two primal fears: shame and death! Evolutionary strong feelings that were designed to keep us alive, but not really designed for the modern workplace, yet these fears play out strongly in our day-to-day lives. In this episode of our mini-series on getting out of your own way, Richard and Ricky discuss how fear of failure might drive our beh…

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How to Build Trust: Role of a Manager in Education (part 10) 14:59

10M ago14:59

14:59

"Trust me!' We've all heard it, and probably said it. But how do you build a culture of trust at work, or in a classroom? David Langford and host Andrew Stotz talk about how inclusive decision-making inspires trust, and leads to better outcomes. TRANSCRIPT 0:00:02.5 Andrew Stotz: My name is Andrew Stotz, and I'll be your host as we continue our jou…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Continuousimprovement Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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