Advertise on podcast: Behind the Curtain: Adventures in Continuous Improvement

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Longtime manufacturing process engineer and trainer John Dyer discusses operational excellence and continuous improvement with Professor Mohamed Saleh, a Lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement expert. Between them, they share nearly 60 years of continuous improvement expertise. IndustryWeek partners with Dyer and Saleh to bring their insights to manufacturing professionals.

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Check latest episodes from Behind the Curtain: Adventures in Continuous Improvement podcast

Plan Do Check Act (PDCA): Focus on the Learning

2026/10/26

Use Plan Do Check Act as a learning cycle for solving problems, rather than as a checklist for implementing solutions.

Effective Daily Huddles: the Importance of Accountability

2026/10/19

Accountability is not punishment or blame; it is a two-way commitment between workers and leaders.

Why Visual Management Fails and What to Do About It

2026/10/12

Without transparency, visual management is merely decoration.

Effective Gemba Walks: The Importance of Leader Curiosity

2026/10/05

Behind the Curtain podcast hosts John Dyer and Dr. Mohamed Saleh launch a new series of episodes exploring key behaviors that determine the effectiveness of well-known lean and continuous improvement tools. This episode highlights gemba walks.

Lean Myth 12: Debunking the 'We're Too Busy for Lean' Myth

2026/09/28

You may be busy, but are you creating value or fighting fires? The reason you are too busy is likely the very reason you need to introduce a team-based continuous improvement initiative like lean or Six Sigma.

Lean Myth 11: Lean Fails Because People Resist Change

2026/09/21

Lean adoption often fails not because people inherently resist change, but because organizational trust, context, capability and implementation practices are overlooked.

Lean Myths Debunked: A Successful Kaizen Event Means the Problem Is Solved

2026/09/14

True success is defined by long-term sustainability rather than initial implementation.

Lean Myth No. 9: Lean Culture Takes Years to Build

2026/09/07

Is it true or is it a convenient excuse when progress is hard to see? It can be both, say the cohosts of Behind the Curtain: Adventures in Continuous Improvement.

Lean Myth No. 8: More Lean Training Creates a Lean Culture

2026/08/31

Lean training is important, but "knowing lean is not the same as living lean." It's the behavioral discipline that comes after training that creates momentum, say the hosts of Behind the Curtain: Adventures in Continuous Improvement.

Lean Myth No. 7: If Lean Is Working, You Should Have Fewer Problems

2026/08/24

The truth is that lean makes problems more visible, say the hosts of Behind the Curtain: Adventures in Continuous Improvement. The only way to improve is to develop a culture that embraces the uncovering of problems, which actually can make reality appear worse, they argue.

Lean Myth No. 6: Leaders Naturally Want Empowered Teams

2026/08/10

The truth is that many leaders resist empowerment because it diminishes their status and control, argue the hosts of Behind the Curtain. They underscore the importance of redefining leadership to value influence and team empowerment over personal power and decision-making.

Lean Myth No. 5: If Leadership Sponsors Lean, They Are Committed

2026/08/03

Don't assume leaders' initial lean enthusiasm automatically translates to long-term support. Many headwinds could derail early commitment, say the hosts of Behind the Curtain: Adventures in Continuous Improvement, who outline several of those challenges and offer this advice: Nurture, guide and coach leaders to sustain their support and your lean gains.

Myth No. 4: Lean Is About Velocity; Six Sigma Is About Quality

2026/07/27

Neither statement is true, say the hosts of Behind the Curtain: Adventures in Continuous Improvement, who offer compelling perspectives about why the division between lean and Six Sigma exists—and why it shouldn't.

Lean Myth No. 3: Lean Belongs to Engineers

2026/07/20

On the contrary, many disciplines can excel as lean facilitators. Qualities such as humility, critical thinking and the ability to work as a team are key, regardless of one's background or education, say the hosts of Behind the Curtain.

Lean Myth No. 2: Lean Only Applies to Manufacturing

2026/07/13

Don't believe it, say the hosts of Behind the Curtain: Adventures in Continuous Improvement. Waste is waste, regardless of where you see it. Healthcare, schools and city government are just a few of the many industries where lean and Six Sigma can and do make an impact.