In #LeanManagement, we often talk about the Eight Wastes—from #transportation and #inventory to #overproduction and #defects - that reduce efficiency and drain resources. But what if we applied this same thinking to the way we work and manage our energy?

In this episode, I explore how the “Eight Wastes” framework can be reimagined through the lens of the #JobDemands–Resources (#JDR) model. What happens when unnecessary #bureaucracy becomes “motion waste”? Or when excessive #deadlines act as “overproduction waste” that slowly drains our #motivation?

By drawing analogies between classic process inefficiencies and #psychological strain in the #workplace, we can uncover new ways to reduce #stress, prevent #burnout, and create healthier, more resilient #organisations.

Join me as I bridge the world of #Lean thinking with the human side of work—and discover how eliminating “#muda” can help us not only streamline processes but also protect our most important resource: employee energy.

In this episode, I challenge the traditional “magic triangle” of process management - time, cost, and quality—by proposing a fourth, often overlooked dimension: employee energy.

We’re used to balancing speed, budget, and outcomes. But what if burnout, stress, and emotional exhaustion are the real factors slowing down your processes? Drawing on the JD-R model (Job Demands–Resources), I explore how integrating psychological and physiological resources into the classic triangle creates a more realistic, sustainable “magic tetrahedron.”

From delayed projects and rising costs to declining motivation and quality, emotional energy has direct consequences for every key business metric. And it’s time we treated it as a core resource, not just an HR afterthought.

Join me as I connect project management theory with human-centred insights - bridging operational logic with emotional intelligence.

🎧 Tune in and let’s rethink how we manage performance- together.

#burnout #employeewellbeing #processmanagement #projectmanagement #leadership #jdRmodel #workplaceculture #energyatwork #psychologicalsafety #magictriangle #podcast #emotionalintelligence

In this episode, I explore how a classic concept from operations - the Theory of Constraints - can help us better understand and manage emotional exhaustion in the workplace.

The central idea? Just like a production process is only as fast as its slowest step, our mental and emotional energy is limited by the most draining tasks in our day. So what if we could identify the specific moments, meetings, or tasks that wear us out the most—our emotional bottlenecks?

Drawing on Goldratt’s foundational work, I walk through how this theory can be adapted to workplace wellbeing. I also tackle some key challenges:

• How do emotions spill over between employees?

• Why is simply “moving the problem” unethical?

• What does the "Eat That Frog" rule get wrong when it comes to mental health?

We’ll look at tools like interviews, observation, and intuitive reflection to pinpoint those draining moments—and explore how to design more sustainable workdays without pushing people to the edge.

Whether you're a leader, a coach, or someone simply trying to manage your energy better, this episode offers a practical lens for viewing burnout through the eyes of process thinking.

#burnout #emotionalexhaustion #theoryofconstraints #mentalhealthatwork #employeeexperience #workplacewellbeing #processmanagement #leadership #emotionalintelligence #jobdemands #managementpodcast #productivity #eatthatfrog #podcast