Welcome to The Problem Solver’s Dojo
A monthly practice space for bold thinkers, team builders, and everyday problem solvers.
Powered by The KPI Lab
This isn’t a webinar.
It’s a dojo—a space to train, experiment, and grow.
Each month, we’ll meet virtually to explore real-life strategies that help you work smarter, save time, and lead with more clarity.
In these sessions, you’ll learn how to:
Define the right problems before jumping to solutions
Create systems that save time and reduce frustration
Eliminate waste and work more efficiently
Run experiments to make progress without perfection
Use tools that help you focus, move forward, and lead with intention
Whether you’re leading a team, managing a project, running a business—or just tired of spinning in circles and ready to do things differently—this space is for you.
What to Expect
Live, practical sessions—not theory dumps
Tactical tools you can use immediately
A supportive community of solvers, builders, and curious leaders
Zero cost. No sales pitch. Just real practice.
Check out our upcoming sessions!
Tiny Experiments, Big Momentum:
Building the Habit of Trying
March 26, 2:00 - 3:00 CST
Live on Zoom
More Details Here
From Friction to Fuel:
Using Tension as a Problem-Solving Signal
February 26, 2:00 - 3:00 CST
Live on Zoom
More Details Here
Reset & Refocus
January 22, 2:00 - 3:00 CST
Live on Zoom
More Details Here
Previous Events
Stakeholder Management
In September’s session, we tackled one of the hardest realities of problem solving: we want people to do what we want—but they don’t. Together, we explored how stakeholder conversations often break down when we jump to solutions instead of leading with curiosity. Participants practiced shifting from judgment to understanding, learned the three levels of listening, and reflected on how good stakeholder management can feel a lot like good sales—focused on uncovering needs rather than pitching answers. We also introduced the Instant Influence framework, a set of six powerful questions designed to spark intrinsic motivation and help people “sell themselves” on change. The session blended reflection, discussion, and practical tools for building trust, alignment, and ownership in even the toughest conversations.
Leader Standard Work
In August’s session, we explored Leader Standard Work (LSW)—the foundation for sustaining change and leading on purpose. Together, we unpacked how traditional LSW (rooted in Toyota’s Gemba walks) helps leaders confirm processes, coach with curiosity, and signal that “this change matters.” From there, we expanded the lens to include Inner LSW (the habits and values that ground us) and Leadership Standard Work (the daily and weekly routines that make leadership consistent and trustworthy).
Participants shared real-world challenges and insights—from the struggle of “bragging on green but blowing past red,” to the reminder that “if you’re not leading yourself, it’s really hard to lead others.” We didn’t just talk checklists—we talked behaviors, routines, and how aligning all three layers of LSW turns leadership into the engine of transformation.
Standards That Stick
In July’s session, we dug into one of the most overlooked—but essential—tools for problem solving: standards. Together, we unpacked why so many problems trace back to a missing, unclear, or outdated standard—and how good standards create clarity, consistency, and trust. Participants explored the difference between SOPs, standard work, and leader standard work, drew inspiration from The Checklist Manifesto, and tackled real-world scenarios to practice diagnosing breakdowns. We didn’t just talk process—we talked people, trust, and the role of leadership in making standards stick.
Defining Success & Measuring What Matters
In our kickoff session, we explored what success really looks like—for ourselves, our teams, and our organizations. Participants learned how to use the Daily Management Tier Board to track meaningful progress, apply the Progress Principle to boost motivation, and design small, actionable experiments. We challenged traditional metrics and surfaced new ways to measure what matters—like curiosity, emotional state, and daily habits.
Rebuilding the House of Lean
In October’s session, we revisited one of Lean’s most iconic visuals—the House of Lean—and asked a bold question: what if the foundation is wrong? Sarah shared how her early experiences with Lean left her wondering where the leadership behavior was, and how that led to the KPI Lab’s reimagined House of Lean, with behavior at the base. Together, we explored how culture change starts not with tools, but with how leaders show up. Participants sketched their own versions of the House of Lean, reflected on the behaviors that hold their systems together (or don’t), and imagined what becomes possible when we rebuild Lean from the ground up. The session blended story, structure, and space to play with what a modern Lean culture can look like.
Strategy Planning
In November’s session, we took on one of the most common—and costly—breakdowns in strategy work: starting with tools instead of clarity. Using the metaphor of planning a road trip, we reframed strategy planning as a sequence that begins with defining the destination, not picking the vehicle. Participants explored how Hoshin sets direction and alignment, why facilitation matters in designing the right conversation, and how the Strategy Trilogy (current state → future state → action plan) creates a clear bridge from vision to action. We examined how tools like value stream mapping, capacity models, and risk registers can each be used to see reality, imagine a better future, and identify meaningful actions—when chosen intentionally. The session blended teaching, reflection, and peer dialogue, with a strong emphasis on people-first facilitation, middle-manager alignment, and building strategy that can actually be carried forward beyond the room.