Blog

Why Problem-Solving Fails—and How to Fix It

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 10-02-25

Section 1 from the People Solve Problems Book Why Problem-Solving Fails—and How to Fix It Problem-solving isn’t just about having the right tools—it’s about how we apply those tools in different problem-solving scenarios. In these videos, we’ll challenge conventional thinking, revealing why standardization alone doesn’t drive better solutions. This section

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Jim Benson of Modus Institute: Building Confidence Through Visual Collaboration

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on

Jim Benson joined host Jamie Flinchbaugh on People Solve Problems to discuss his approach to collaboration and visual management as the foundation for successful Lean and Agile implementations. As Inquisitor at Modus Institute and creator of Personal Kanban, Jim brings a unique perspective on how organizations can remove workplace toxicity

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Lean Coffee Episode 5

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 09-26-25

From Miss Piggy to Spinal Tap, and Will Starbucks Discover Customer Value? In Episode 5, Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh are going back in time (apologies to Huey Lewis and the News) to the 1990s and examining companies that were iconic then and trying to find new ground today. But

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Happy Heuristics Podcast

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 09-25-25

Happy Heuristics was a single-season podcast, in partnership with MG Strategy’s Jeff Grimshaw, that explores the use of heuristics in leadership. Heuristics, or rules of thumb, help speed up and make more consistent decisions in a complex world. Each episode explores a theme, and Jeff and Jamie Flinchbaugh each offer

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The Waste of Mental Inventory

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 09-23-25

Ever wonder why your brain feels so cluttered and tired? It’s probably stuffed with too many unfinished tasks, unmade decisions, and mental “to-dos” bouncing around in your head. This mental overload isn’t just annoying—it’s actually making you less effective and more stressed. When your mind is packed with too much

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Factory Talk Series

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 09-18-25

This 9-video series was done in partnership with IndustryWeek and highlights leaders in factories. Through interviews, we cover their practices and ideas for effective leadership within operations. Some participants are CEOs of smaller one-site companies, and others are plant managers within larger companies. There are nuggets and lessons for everyone

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Dr. Shannon Flumerfelt on Coaching Through Difficult Situations with Lean Tools

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on

Dr. Shannon Flumerfelt, Founder of Charactership Lean Consulting and Endowed Professor of Lean at Oakland University, joined host Jamie Flinchbaugh to discuss her systematic approach to coaching leaders through difficult situations and complex problem-solving challenges.   Dr. Flumerfelt shared her framework for handling difficult coaching situations, which begins with understanding

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Flawed Harmony and the Consensus Trap

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 09-16-25

Leaders love to tout consensus decision-making. It sounds collaborative, inclusive, and wise. Many will even claim they “lead through consensus,” whether it’s true or not. But consensus fails more often than it succeeds, either because it’s executed poorly or applied in the wrong situations. Here are the most common failure

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Budgeting Doesn’t Have to Crush Your Soul

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 09-09-25

Most people dread budgeting because they’re approaching it with the wrong goals entirely. Instead of trying to create the “perfect” forecast or simply survive the process with minimal pushback, what if budgeting could actually become a strategic advantage? There’s a counterintuitive mindset shift that transforms this painful annual ritual into

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People Solve Problems Podcast

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 09-04-25

People Solve Problem Podcast are approximately 20-minutes conversations with thought leaders, business leaders, change agents, practitioners, and more from a wide swatch of perspectives talking about different aspects of problem solving. You’ll learn different frameworks, tips and tricks, perspectives, leadership approaches, principles and more. This podcast is available publicly but

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