E16: How to Transform Your Life with Michelle Kimbro

Are you looking for ways to improve your business processes and take your organization to the next level? Then you won't want to miss this episode featuring Michelle Kimbro, a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and business coach with over 25 years of healthcare leadership experience. In this episode, Michelle shares her insights and experiences on mindset mastery, high performance habits, and organizational culture. She also discusses the lean operating system, empowering frontline staff, innovation through failure, and much more. 

Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:

[01:31] - Michelle’s transition from corporate to consulting 

[07:32] - The importance of passion and mentorship in entrepreneurship

[13:16] - Overcoming regret and saying yes to opportunities

[18:54] - The different mindset of entrepreneurs and corporate executives

[21:14] - The lean operating system 

[29:01] - Work-life balance and productivity tips

[34:03] - Managing distractions and optimizing work hours for productivity

[46:45] - Embracing failure as an opportunity for innovation

 

Episode Highlights:

[07:32] The Importance of Passion and Mentorship in Entrepreneurship

Passion is a key driver in starting a successful business, according to an experienced entrepreneur. It's important to focus on what you enjoy doing, as starting a business in something you dislike can quickly turn into a job that you hate. Along with passion, having the necessary skill set is also crucial. Seeking out successful individuals in your industry and learning from them through mentorship and coaching is a great way to develop your skills and knowledge. By being open to learning and absorbing everything you can about your desired business, you can increase your chances of success.

[13:16] Overcoming Regret and Embracing Opportunities

Regret can be a powerful force in the mind, according to a business owner. For Michelle, the fear of looking back on her life with regret was a bigger motivator than the fear of failure. To combat this, she took the advice of a friend who encouraged her to say "yes" to every opportunity that came her way. Whether it was a small coffee meeting or appearing on a podcast, she believed that every opportunity had the potential to lead to something great. By being open to new experiences and possibilities, you can overcome your fears and move beyond the barriers holding you back. 

[21:14] The Lean Operating System and Trusting Frontline Staff

Implementing a lean operating system requires leaders to trust their frontline staff, a difficult pill for some to swallow. However, employees are a company's biggest asset, as they work directly with the issues and often develop workarounds for existing problems. By providing staff with tools, coaching, and methodology, they can improve the organization as a whole by identifying and fixing problems at the source. This approach empowers employees to take ownership of their work and encourages innovation and continuous improvement. Through trusting and supporting frontline staff, leaders can foster a culture of collaboration and growth, leading to greater success for the company in the long run.

[46:45] Embracing Failure as an Opportunity for Innovation

Failure is a learning opportunity. In a society where failure is often stigmatized, reframe failure with the mindset of "What can I learn?" or "What's the inherent lesson?" By embracing failure, entrepreneurs can drive innovation and ultimately reach their goals. As an entrepreneur herself, Michelle constantly tests and experiments with different approaches and changes, analyzing the results to determine what works and what doesn't. Through this iterative process, she is able to innovate and stay ahead of the competition.

Resources Mentioned:

https://michellekimbro.com