Welcome to another episode of Why They Fail. In this episode, we explore the heart of every successful continuous improvement effort: leadership. Many companies invest in Lean Six Sigma or the Shainin Red X method, yet most fail to sustain progress. The reason is rarely the tools. It is almost always the leadership behind them.

We sit down with Craig Hysong, President and CEO of Shainin, to understand how leadership shapes a problem-solving culture. Craig shares his journey, including the moment he discovered the Shainin approach while working as a young engineer at General Motors.

He explains how the Red X method identifies the single dominant cause of a problem, cutting through the noise of endless variables. We also explore how Shainin and Six Sigma share a strong foundation in data-driven analysis and root cause thinking. But as Craig reminds us, no method works without strong, committed leadership.

Craig emphasizes that lasting improvement depends on leaders who act, not just talk. Training teams is not enough. Successful continuous improvement begins with a clear vision, a sense of urgency, and consistent communication from the top. Leaders must connect improvement projects directly to key business goals.

He introduces Shainin’s Rolling Top Five, a simple yet powerful framework for keeping improvement alive. This approach pushes leadership to focus on the few projects that matter most. It ensures every action aligns with measurable results.

Craig also shares an effective accountability practice. Instead of project leaders giving updates, sponsors present progress directly to senior management. This shift keeps leadership engaged and invested. It builds ownership and turns continuous improvement into a daily habit, not a side project.

• The Pareto principle applies. One root cause, the Red X, often drives most variation.
• True learning comes from real projects, not just certification.
• Leadership is the difference between success and failure.
• Sponsors should present project updates to senior leadership for accountability.
• Continuous improvement thrives when leadership focuses on the vital few projects that move the business forward.

This episode of "Why They Fail" is brought to you by Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc., providing “Operational Excellence” Around the Globe!

Six Sigma Development Solutions, Inc. offers comprehensive Lean Six Sigma certification training, accredited by the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) as an Authorized Training Organization. They have transformed over 100 organizations in 52 countries and achieved $100M USD in savings through Lean Six Sigma, certifying over 4000 practitioners. Their partners include Aerojet Rocketdyne, Dropbox, and Mercy Health, among others.

Key Certification Training we provide:

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (https://sixsigmadsi.com/six-sigma-green-belt/)
• Le...

• (00:00:00) - Why Continuous Improvement Efforts Fail
• (00:01:36) - Why They Fail
• (00:02:51) - Red X: The Science of Problems
• (00:12:12) - Problem Solving with 6 Sigma and Red X
• (00:22:17) - Employee Experience: The Pareto Principle
• (00:24:17) - What separates a Continuous Improvement Organization from one that Live Continuous Improvement?
• (00:26:41) - The Continuous Improvement Training Infrastructure
• (00:28:36) - Sustainability in the Continuous Improvement Program
• (00:33:15) - The Assessment of Competent People
• (00:35:38) - How to Get Your Lean 6 Sigma Certification
• (00:38:46) - A Moment With Shannon