In this episode, we sit down with Sheila Montney — a 35-year State Farm veteran, Shingo Academy inductee, and city council member in Bloomington, IL — to explore how lean principles and the Shingo Model are reshaping local government operations. Sheila shares her journey from corporate continuous improvement leader to a trailblazer in the public sector, addressing a longstanding gap in tailored lean training and cultural transformation strategies for municipalities.

From developing custom e-learning modules to launching regional cohorts and championing public-private partnerships, Sheila provides deep insight into how respect for people, measurable outcomes, and sustainable cultural change are becoming cornerstones of more effective, resilient government services.

Key Highlights:

1. How the Shingo Model’s culture-first approach aligns with the needs of public service

2. Success stories from initiatives like the Cook County Forest Preserves

3. Innovative strategies to build capability in smaller municipalities through regional cohorts

and e-learning

4. The importance of linking improvements to ROI and requiring knowledge transfer in

consulting engagements

Whether you’re a public servant, CI practitioner, or just curious about how lean thinking can make government work better — this episode is for you.

In this episode of Optics in Action, Ryan Weiss talks with Peg Pennington, President of MoreSteam, about the powerful intersection of people, process, and technology. From real-world insights on operational excellence to the role of AI in future problem-solving, Peg shares how organizations can build critical thinkers and create lasting improvement.

In this episode of Optics in Action, host Ryan Weiss sits down with Kevin Dean, the founder and CEO of ManoByte. They dive into the rapidly evolving world of AI and how organizations can strategically leverage this technology to automate and optimize their business processes. Kevin shares his passion for innovation, the challenges companies face in navigating the AI landscape, and his advice for business leaders looking to stay ahead of the curve.

Key Takeaways

• AI is rapidly evolving, with changes occurring weekly, leading to both excitement and fear in businesses
• Companies should focus on leveraging existing AI tools to automate and optimize current processes rather than waiting for future developments
• Business leaders need to adapt to AI integration, as poor decisions could lead to job losses more than AI itself
• Young generations are naturally adapting to AI, while current business leaders may struggle with the rapid pace of change

In this episode of OPTICS in Action, Ryan Weiss sits down with Sandra Coker, CEO of Human Power Solutions, to discuss the impact of human-centric business practices, leadership development, and navigating generational transitions in family businesses. Sandra also shares insights from her upcoming book, People Profit, revealing how internal culture drives business success. Tune in for practical strategies on leadership, employee engagement, and ensuring smooth transitions in family-owned enterprises.

Top 4 Key Episode Highlights:

1 Human-Centric Leadership: How investing in people leads to better business outcomes.

2 Navigating Generational Transitions: Preparing founders and next-gen leaders for smooth

business handovers.

3 The Link Between Culture & Profitability: Insights from Sandra’s upcoming book People

Profit.

4 Pre-Launch Marketing Strategies: Building an audience and optimizing book rankings on

Amazon.

In this episode, we sit down with Lior, a global transformation expert with over 400 successful projects under his belt. We explore the critical role of people in driving business transformations, the frameworks that empower employees, and how actively authoring your life story can lead to breakthrough performance. Whether you're leading a company or navigating personal growth, this episode offers powerful insights to reshape how you think about transformation and leadership.

Top 4 Key Highlights:

1. People Over Process – Discover why mobilizing employees at every level, not just executives, is key to successful transformations.
2. Empowerment Through Frameworks – Learn how structured frameworks (like Ritz-Carlton's $2,500 rule) drive initiative and better decision-making.
3. The Power of Perspective – Understand how the language and perspectives you choose shape attitudes, performance, and outcomes.
4. Becoming the Author of Your Story – Insights from Lior’s new book, "Dare to Author," on converting experiences into future-ready skills and taking control of your narrative.

Ryan Weiss, founder and CEO of EPS, interviews Roger Krulak, founder and president of Full Stack Modular, about his vision for disrupting the construction industry. Roger emphasizes the need for industrialized, efficient, and environmentally friendly housing solutions, particularly in dense urban environments. He describes Full Stack Modular's integrated system for mid to high-rise buildings, which includes structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing elements, all manufactured in a factory. Roger highlights the challenges of changing the construction industry's paradigm, the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, and the potential for significant cost and efficiency savings through factory-based construction. He also mentions the diminishing skilled labor workforce as a driver for industrialization.

In this insightful episode of Optics in Action, we sit down with Chris Calomino to explore the future of packaging and its relationship with sustainability. From balancing consumer perceptions of quality and eco-friendliness to tackling the technical challenges of supply chain management, Chris dives deep into the importance of education, personalization, and innovative solutions in packaging. Join us as we discuss how AI and data-driven processes are shaping the industry and learn how businesses can effectively communicate their sustainable practices without falling into the trap of greenwashing.

Episode Highlights:

The Importance of Education in Sustainability: Chris emphasizes the need to educate both businesses and consumers about the true impact of sustainable packaging. It's not just about marketing, but about making real, impactful changes.

The Challenge of Mass Personalization: Learn how companies are blending technology, such as QR codes and data analytics, to offer personalized experiences on a massive scale while maintaining efficiency.

AI’s Role in Packaging: Explore the potential of AI in solving sustainability challenges and enhancing supply chain management, all while allowing for faster innovation and problem-solving in the industry.

Balancing Luxury and Sustainability: Chris shares insights on how companies can successfully merge high-quality packaging with eco-friendly materials without compromising consumer expectations.

In this episode of Optics in Action, host Ryan Weiss sits down with Chris Murphy, owner of Blue Bear Plumbing, Heating, and Air, to dive deep into his entrepreneurial journey. Chris shares insights from his rapid growth in the trades industry, the importance of balancing people and processes, and the evolution of leadership values. From creating core company values to managing change within a growing team, Chris offers advice for business owners and young professionals entering the trades. Tune in for actionable leadership insights that bridge the gap between customer service and technical expertise.

Chris emphasizes the importance of creating structured processes but ensuring they are backed by the right people. Without proper buy-in and consistent execution, even the best processes can fail.

Blue Bear’s core values were crafted from identifying the most common frustrations among team members. Chris highlights how defining values based on employee experiences creates a stronger, more unified team.

Chris encourages young professionals entering the trades to prioritize work ethic and discipline. These foundational qualities can accelerate success in an industry that still holds incredible opportunities for growth and stability.