726: Make Work Better Through Simplicity, with Paul Akers
Coaching for Leaders24 Maalis 2025

726: Make Work Better Through Simplicity, with Paul Akers

Paul Akers: 2 Second Lean

Paul Akers is the founder and president of FastCap, a product development company specializing in woodworking tools and hardware for the professional builder. Through a series of twists and turns he discovered Lean and the Toyota Production System (TPS) which was instrumental in propelling FastCap as an example of Lean manufacturing and culture, now followed by thousands of companies around the world. He is the author of 2 Second Lean: How to Grow People and Build a Fun Lean Culture at Work & at Home*.

We often add more in order to make a system better. The opposite tactic is often more useful: making things simpler. In this conversation, Paul and I explore how to make worker better by starting small.

Key Points
  • Your pride will blind you to what you most need to learn.
  • Begin by addressing the things that bug you. Lean is about making things simpler.
  • Instead of batching, consider one-piece flow. This helps you improve as you go.
  • Set the standard at 2 seconds to try something new. Anybody can achieve that.
  • Start in the bathroom. Showing respect in the place everybody visits sets a standard for the rest of the organization.
  • To make something stick, (1) set the expectation, (2) inspect the expectation, (3) reinforce the expectation.
Resources Mentioned Interview Notes

Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

Related Episodes Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

Jaksot(782)

773: How to Align Your Motivation, with Nir Eyal

773: How to Align Your Motivation, with Nir Eyal

Nir Eyal: Beyond Belief Nir Eyal writes, consults, and teaches about the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. He is the author of two bestselling books, Hooked and Indistractable, sel...

9 Maalis 33min

How to Get Better at Listening, with Bill Mayo

How to Get Better at Listening, with Bill Mayo

Academy alum Bill Mayo joins Dave to share how he improved his listening skills — both at work and at home. Applications to the Coaching for Leaders Academy are open until Friday, March 20th. Visit th...

5 Maalis 22min

772: How to Measure Your Meeting’s Success, with Rebecca Hinds

772: How to Measure Your Meeting’s Success, with Rebecca Hinds

Rebecca Hinds: Your Best Meeting Ever Rebecca Hinds is a leading expert on organizational behavior and the future of work. She founded and led the Work Innovation Lab at Asana and the Work AI Institut...

2 Maalis 39min

771: Fixing Fairness in the Workplace, with Lily Zheng

771: Fixing Fairness in the Workplace, with Lily Zheng

Lily Zheng, Fixing Fairness Lily Zheng is a sought-after speaker, strategist, and organizational consultant who specializes in hands-on systemic change to turn positive intentions into positive outcom...

23 Helmi 38min

770: How to Make Change Irresistible, with Phil Gilbert

770: How to Make Change Irresistible, with Phil Gilbert

Phil Gilbert: Irresistible Change Phil Gilbert is best known for leading IBM’s 21st-century transformation as their General Manager of Design. The transformation became the subject of a Harvard Busine...

16 Helmi 36min

769: How to Connect Better with Remote Colleagues, with Charles Duhigg

769: How to Connect Better with Remote Colleagues, with Charles Duhigg

Charles Duhigg: Supercommunicators Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist and the author of The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better. He is a winner of the National Ac...

9 Helmi 38min

768: Evolving from Business Partner to Value Creator, with JP Elliott

768: Evolving from Business Partner to Value Creator, with JP Elliott

JP Elliott: Future of HR JP Elliott has decades of experience as a Talent and HR executive at companies like DICK’S Sporting Goods, McAfee, and Lenovo. He’s seen the challenges HR professionals face i...

2 Helmi 39min

767: Being Nice May Not Be Kind, with Graham Allcott

767: Being Nice May Not Be Kind, with Graham Allcott

Graham Allcott: KIND Graham Allcott is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and the founder of Think Productive, a leading provider of training and consultancy. He is the author of multiple books, includ...

26 Tammi 37min

Suosittua kategoriassa Liike-elämä ja talous

sijotuskasti
mimmit-sijoittaa
rss-rahapodi
psykopodiaa-podcast
rss-rahamania
ostan-asuntoja-podcast
hyva-paha-johtaminen
rss-lahtijat
rss-sisalto-kuntoon
rss-seuraava-potilas
rss-sami-miettinen-neuvottelija
rss-startup-ministerio
herrasmieshakkerit
rahapuhetta
lakicast
rss-porssipuhetta
asuntoasiaa-paivakirjat
rss-set-for-life-sijoita-ja-vaurastu
rss-viisas-raha-podi
rss-vaikuttavan-opettajan-vierella