In this enlightening episode, Dr. Bob Emiliani shares transformative insights on Lean management, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and critical thinking in both professional and personal realms.
Transforming Lean Management
Adam Hoots welcomes Dr. Emiliani and introduces him as a pivotal figure in Lean management, touching on his journey from engineering and aerospace to a profound engagement with Lean principles in manufacturing. Dr. Emiliani shares his early career experiences, highlighting a transformative shift from report writing in engineering to hands-on manufacturing and Kaizen, underpinned by the teachings of the Toyota Production System. This experience reshaped his understanding of critical thinking and set the stage for his later academic pursuits aimed at dissecting industry practices and management decisions.
Dr. Emiliani delves into the essence of continuous improvement (Kaizen), emphasizing its true meaning as “change for the better” and its comprehensive application beyond individual tasks to improve overall workflow and its impact on others. The conversation also covers the challenges of implementing Lean principles within the construction industry, underscoring the need for a cultural shift to fully embrace Lean methodologies. Dr. Emiliani reflects on personal and professional development, highlighting the role of wisdom in construction and the untapped potential of the industry to benefit from Lean principles.
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the application of Lean principles in personal life, with Dr. Emiliani advising against overextension and stressing the importance of relaxation and maintaining a clear boundary between work and home life. He shares insights into the difficulty of switching off the Lean mindset and the importance of recognizing home as a space for relaxation rather than continuous improvement.
The podcast further explores leadership errors and the universal nature of these mistakes across various industries, attributed to similar management styles. Dr. Emiliani and Adam discuss the significance of learning from failures, the general reluctance to confront or acknowledge these failures, and the crucial role of reflection in personal and professional growth. Dr. Emiliani shares his approach to self-assessment and the continuous pursuit of improvement.
In a more reflective tone, Dr. Emiliani discusses his current passions, emphasizing his continued interest in helping others learn and improve despite the challenges of promoting less popular but vital topics within Lean management. He underscores the importance of addressing abnormal conditions in the workplace and striving for better management practices to enhance overall happiness and efficiency.
Adam closes the episode by expressing gratitude to Dr. Emiliani for his insights and contributions to Lean management, highlighting the value of the discussion for understanding and applying Lean principles in construction and beyond. The episode recommends Dr. Emiliani’s notable works, including “The Triumph of Classical Management Over Lean Management,” “Irrational Institutions,” and “Kaizen Forever,” for those interested in further exploring Lean principles and management practices.
ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:
The Lean Builder’s absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who “get it”: the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.
RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website
- https://bobemiliani.com/ | Get all of Bob’s blogs, books, and other amazing resources here
GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Adam Hoots | linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for “Hoots on the Ground” and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions
- Bob Emiliani | https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-emiliani-660a72170/ | Leadership Analyst and Multi-Book Author
Adam Hoots, Construction ACHE Solutions
Adam began his career in the construction industry as a plumber's helper and then as a red-line architect’s helper while attending the University of South Florida. Over the past 20 years, he has steadily advanced his career and has held a variety of roles within the industry. Adam has successfully completed more than $1.5 billion in pre-construction and construction services for a diverse group of industries, including: healthcare, higher education, industrial, life science, retail, and hospitality. Most projects (~$1B) were in life sciences and high-tech laboratory construction for clients. A highly technical builder, Adam excels in efficiency, action, visual communication, and continuous improvement using Lean principles. He serves on several community boards, including Skilled Trades Alliance (www.skilledtradesalliance.net), kidSney (www.kidSney.org), National Kidney Foundation (www.nkf.org), RECAB (Regional Education Center for Advisory Board - Greenville, SC) and SC Career Kids (www.sccareerkids.com). Adam is proud to continue his service to the construction industry through his coaching business Construction ACHE Solutions.
