reflection

Video preview: PDSA vs. PDCA

PDCA vs PDSA in Problem Solving

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 05-05-17

Plan Do Check Act (PDSA)  is a well known approach to continuous improvement and problem solving.  I propose you consider the PDSA approach that includes study and adjust to truly understand why you are getting the results you are.        

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Ford shows a new reflective side, but how far will they take it?

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 05-08-13

Ford has come an incredibly long way in time since Bill Ford Jr. courageously stepped aside to bring in lean thinker Alan Mulally. Lately, they’ve been hampered by the embarrassing problems in relaunching the Lincoln brand through the MKZ. But, in the face of these problems, they are doing their

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The vital importance of integrity

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 08-02-11

I recently wrote this post on integrity, extolling the importance of maintaining integrity. The fundamental premise of the argument is that lost integrity is unrecoverable. In the many conversations that this statement has generated, both online and offline, many of the examples of lost integrity being regained were essentially cases

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What Mother’s Day Teaches Us about Organizational Transformation

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 05-16-11

First off, yes, I know Mother’s Day was a week ago. I didn’t miss it. What is Mother’s Day? It’s the celebration of something: 1. … completely vital, critical, essential, and, 2. … mostly taken for granted. We do that a lot in our organizations. It’s not a problem to

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"I lead through fear, intimidation, and public humiliation"

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 01-21-11

  Have you ever heard a leader say, out loud, “I lead through fear, intimidation, and public humiliation”? I doubt it. Have you ever seen a leader try to lead in this way? I would guess you probably have. I think most of the people who are leading through such

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The Value of Rules

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 06-28-10

NCIS has been one of the most popular shows on television for years now. I generally don’t like TV crime dramas, but my wife has gotten me a bit into this one over time. The lead character is Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon. Gibbs has a number of

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Reflect, Don’t Dwell

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 02-12-10

Most organizations don’t spend time in reflection. It seems wasteful. But it’s vitally important in an organization trying to make progress. Without learning, courses aren’t corrected and lessons aren’t internalized. A favorite quote of mine by Soren Kierkegaard speaks to this point: “Life can only be understood backwards, but it

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Reflect to Improve, and Make it a Habit

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 10-28-09

  How do you get started on the lean journey? Many organizations struggle with how to get started. They see this monumental journey ahead of them and there is so much to do, but where to start? I think a small and simple way to get started is just to

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