The 8th Waste: Underutilised Talent

In this eye-opening episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, we go beyond traditional waste elimination and tackle one of the most overlooked yet critical inefficiencies in organisations—underutilised talent.

Joining me all the way from Queensland, Australia, is the brilliant Adam Bean—a bold thinker, strategic disruptor, and expert in Kaizen culture and Lean transformation. Known for challenging conventional wisdom, Adam shares powerful insights on why so many organisations fail to tap into their employees' full potential and how leadership behaviours, structures, and micromanagement are blocking creativity, innovation, and performance.

Together, we explore:

• The 8th waste: underutilised talent—why it’s the biggest threat to efficiency and engagement.
• How leaders can empower employees to take ownership and drive continuous improvement.
• The power of marginal gains—how small, consistent improvements lead to massive success.
• Why true leadership is about coaching, not just managing, and how to create an environment where people thrive.

Expect a bold, thought-provoking discussion that will challenge how you see waste—not just on the shopfloor, but in your people. Don’t miss this game-changing conversation!

 

Key Takeaways:

 

1. Underutilised Talent is the Biggest Waste

Organisations often overlook the untapped skills, creativity, and potential of their employees. Failing to engage employees fully is a significant form of waste, often more detrimental than process inefficiencies.

2. Empower Employees to Take Ownership

Leadership is about creating an environment where employees feel valued, heard, and empowered to contribute ideas. Engaged employees naturally reduce other forms of waste by taking ownership of continuous improvement.

3. Leadership Must Invest in Talent Development

Leaders need to step back and give people the opportunity to shine. Investing in leadership training and development, particularly in areas like change management, helps leaders support employees effectively.

4. Encourage Creativity and Autonomy

People perform best when they have autonomy and the responsibility to make decisions. Micromanagement stifles innovation, so empowering employees to find efficiencies is key to unlocking their potential.

5. Mastering the Fundamentals Leads to Success

Success is built on the basics. The greatest performers, whether athletes or business leaders, emphasise consistent practice and refinement of core skills. This applies to leadership and continuous improvement as well.

6. Embrace a Culture of Continuous Learning

A learning environment, like those seen in high-performing teams such as the All Blacks, is crucial. Regular feedback, clear standards, and space for growth lead to sustainable improvement.

7. Focus on Small Wins for Big Impact

Improvement doesn’t always need to come from big changes. Small, consistent fixes to everyday challenges can have a profound impact on productivity, engagement, and morale.

8. The Power of Marginal Gains

Small, incremental improvements—1% better each day—compound over time, leading to massive, sustainable gains. The key is consistency in making tiny improvements.

9. Leadership is about Coaching, Not Just Managing

True leadership involves coaching, guiding, and providing feedback in a way that encourages growth and innovation. The role of a leader is to support their team, not just direct them.

10. Unlock Potential through Practical Learning

Learning is not about memorisation but about applying knowledge in real-world situations. Leaders should focus on practical learning experiences that connect directly to employees’ roles and responsibilities.

11. Everyone’s Role is Vital

Every role in an organisation, no matter how seemingly "small," is crucial to overall success. Leaders must recognise and utilise the unique strengths of each team member to drive collective growth.

 

🔗Adam Bean LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/askadambean

 

Find out more about Ever-So-Lean, working with us, and our learning programs at www.eversolean.com

Visit the BQF to learn more about the wonderful work they do - https://www.bqf.org.uk/

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