FuelCell Energy has been a pioneer in clean energy for more than 50 years.
But legacy, mission, and breakthrough technology alone don't ensure longevity.

In this episode of the Lean Focus Podcast, @Damon Baker sits down with @Jason Few, President & CEO of FuelCell Energy, to tell the story of a transformation driven not by crisis—but by clarity.

Jason reflects on a hard truth he recognized early in his tenure: the company had an enormous mission and opportunity, but no shared way of working to match the scale of what needed to be accomplished. Teams were overloaded, priorities competed, and previous attempts at change delivered surface-level improvements without altering the core operating system.

Rather than waiting for a burning platform, Jason made a deliberate decision to change how work gets done—to slow down, ask better questions, and build a real business system grounded in visibility, problem solving, and shared language.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why maintaining the status quo was the biggest risk facing a 50+ year-old innovator,
• What led FuelCell Energy to move beyond OKRs toward a true Lean business system,
• Why committing to transformation before consensus is often required of CEOs,
• How daily management, A3 problem solving, and making work visible began changing behavior,
• What it means to build a system designed to support the next 50 years—not just the next quarter.

One year into the journey, Jason shares what's already changing—and what still lies ahead. From earlier, more honest conversations about problems to stronger cross-functional collaboration, this episode offers a grounded, realistic view of transformation as a continuous learning process—not a finish line.

This is essential listening for CEOs and senior leaders leading legacy organizations who know change is required—and want to build a system that endures.

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How do you transform a company that isn't broken?

In this episode of the Lean Focus Podcast, host Damon Baker sits down with John Adams, CEO of Magnum Manufacturing, to explore the most overlooked leadership challenge in business today: evolving a company that's already winning. When John stepped into the role, Magnum was strong, profitable, and respected — but the momentum was fading. The company wasn't in decline…it just wasn't accelerating.

John shares how he recognized the quiet danger of confidence drifting toward complacency — and why the next chapter required a new operating mindset built on two deceptively simple beliefs:

👉 Be Kind. Be Curious.

In this candid and practical conversation, you'll hear how he:

• Elevated the organization from consistency to clarity and ambition,
• Built urgency without drama or fear,
• Unified strategy and operations into a single growth system,
• Embedded facts over assumptions in decision-making,
• Strengthened capability and confidence by pairing data with humility,
• Redefined leadership expectations around emotional intelligence and curiosity,
• Maintains focus and momentum even when results are strong.

This is not a turnaround story. It's a turn-it-up story.

John proves that kindness isn't weakness — it's what earns trust.
Curiosity isn't chaos — it's what unlocks growth.

If you're a CEO or transformation leader in a business that's "doing fine," this episode will challenge you to raise your sights — and give you a blueprint for mobilizing a high-performing team toward what's next.

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What happens when Human Resources — not Operations — leads the Lean transformation?

In this episode of the Lean Focus Podcast, host Damon Baker sits down with Rich Trojan, Chief Human Resources Officer at Holland LP, to explore how a people-first function became the driving force behind one of the most successful lean turnarounds in recent years.

When Rich joined Holland, the company wasn't broken — it was busy. Hundreds of competing priorities, strong personalities, and no common operating rhythm. HR wasn't supposed to fix that. But Rich saw something others missed: without alignment, accountability, and a unifying system, even great people can't deliver great results.

What followed was a total cultural shift by the entire Leadership Team:

• Implementing Policy Deployment and the Holland Business System across 800+ employees,
• Rebuilding trust between leadership and frontline teams through hands-on learning
• Creating a cadence of accountability that drove 25% sales growth and 60% profit improvement in two years,
• Transforming HR into a strategic partner that drives clarity, focus, and measurable business results,
• Building a self-sustaining lean culture — one that thrives even after leadership changes.

Rich's story proves that Lean isn't just about processes and plants — it's about people, discipline, and belief. And sometimes, the most transformative change starts in the least expected place.

If you're an HR leader, CEO, or anyone trying to align culture with execution, this episode will change how you see your role.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Rich Trojan turned HR into the engine of transformation at Holland LP — and how you can do the same in your organization.

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See the full transcript here: https://leanfocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Lean-Focus-Podcast_Episode-04_Rich-Trojan_.txt