E86 - Change Adoption Through the Improvement Kata - Podcast with Tracy Defoe
05/16/25 • 48 min
Welcome to The Inner Game of Change, the podcast where we explore the unseen forces that shape how we lead, adapt, and thrive in the face of change and transformation.
In today’s episode, we explore a powerful way of thinking and working that helps people navigate complexity, solve tough problems, and grow through structured learning — the Improvement Kata .
My guest is Tracy Defoe — a lifelong adult educator, Kata coach, and passionate advocate for deliberate, reflective learning at work. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Tracy shares her deep insights into how the Kata practice — inspired by Toyota’s continuous improvement approach — helps individuals and teams move forward, even when the way ahead is unclear.
We unpack what the Kata actually is, how it works, and why it's far more than a business tool — it's a mindset shift. We also touch on the role of psychological safety, the difference between goals and challenges, and how leaders can become coaches who build capability, not just compliance.
If you’re curious about how to embed continuous improvement in a way that feels human, sustainable, and empowering — this one is for you.
I am grateful to have Tracy chatting with me today.
About Tracy
Aims to make you smarter about learning.
Adult Education professional specializing in learning at work. Interested in culture change, supporting peer-leadership, informal learning, multiple literacies and communication in diverse settings.
Experienced in designing and implementing innovative learning at work programs.
Humble Lean Practitioner interested in combining my interests in Lean with Adult Learning and Culture Change. Student of the Kata, Coach and Learner.
Improvement and Coaching Kata learner and coach. Volunteer Host of the Cascadia Kata Dojo Community Call - a 30 minute weekly zoom meeting for Kata Coaches From British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California.
Specialties: Customized solutions, embedding lean or essential skills in content training, facilitation of improvements or supporting leaders in improving their facilitation, communicating with the workforce, re-framing change as learning challenge, training design and delivery, implementation and evaluation.
Facilitating meetings and retreats for clients, strategic planning, realizing a mission and vision to a Challenge, and a daily improvement plan.
Plain Language and Clear Design.
Contact
Tracy’s Profile
Website
thelearningfactor.ca (Company)
An Acxiom podcast where we discuss marketing made better, bringing you real...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Ali Juma
@The Inner Game of Change podcast
Follow me on LinkedIn
Welcome to The Inner Game of Change, the podcast where we explore the unseen forces that shape how we lead, adapt, and thrive in the face of change and transformation.
In today’s episode, we explore a powerful way of thinking and working that helps people navigate complexity, solve tough problems, and grow through structured learning — the Improvement Kata .
My guest is Tracy Defoe — a lifelong adult educator, Kata coach, and passionate advocate for deliberate, reflective learning at work. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Tracy shares her deep insights into how the Kata practice — inspired by Toyota’s continuous improvement approach — helps individuals and teams move forward, even when the way ahead is unclear.
We unpack what the Kata actually is, how it works, and why it's far more than a business tool — it's a mindset shift. We also touch on the role of psychological safety, the difference between goals and challenges, and how leaders can become coaches who build capability, not just compliance.
If you’re curious about how to embed continuous improvement in a way that feels human, sustainable, and empowering — this one is for you.
I am grateful to have Tracy chatting with me today.
About Tracy
Aims to make you smarter about learning.
Adult Education professional specializing in learning at work. Interested in culture change, supporting peer-leadership, informal learning, multiple literacies and communication in diverse settings.
Experienced in designing and implementing innovative learning at work programs.
Humble Lean Practitioner interested in combining my interests in Lean with Adult Learning and Culture Change. Student of the Kata, Coach and Learner.
Improvement and Coaching Kata learner and coach. Volunteer Host of the Cascadia Kata Dojo Community Call - a 30 minute weekly zoom meeting for Kata Coaches From British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California.
Specialties: Customized solutions, embedding lean or essential skills in content training, facilitation of improvements or supporting leaders in improving their facilitation, communicating with the workforce, re-framing change as learning challenge, training design and delivery, implementation and evaluation.
Facilitating meetings and retreats for clients, strategic planning, realizing a mission and vision to a Challenge, and a daily improvement plan.
Plain Language and Clear Design.
Contact
Tracy’s Profile
Website
thelearningfactor.ca (Company)
An Acxiom podcast where we discuss marketing made better, bringing you real...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Ali Juma
@The Inner Game of Change podcast
Follow me on LinkedIn
Previous Episode
Mental Models For Managing Change - The Pareto Principle
Welcome to a very special mini-series on The Inner Game of Change. I’m thrilled to take you on this journey as we explore something both timeless and practical: Mental Models for Managing Change.
In this episode of Mental Models for Managing Change, we explore a mental model that helps us cut through complexity and focus our energy where it really counts: The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 Rule.
Named after economist Vilfredo Pareto, this model reveals a powerful pattern — that a small percentage of inputs often lead to the majority of outcomes. In change work, that means identifying the vital few actions, stakeholders, or conversations that drive the biggest impact.
If you have ever felt spread too thin, overwhelmed by competing priorities, or stuck in busywork that goes nowhere, this episode is for you.
Learn how to spot the 20% that truly matters, make better decisions with limited time, and shift from doing more... to doing what matters most.
Listen now to discover how the Pareto Principle can bring clarity, focus, and traction to your next change effort.
Ali Juma
@The Inner Game of Change podcast
Follow me on LinkedIn
Next Episode
Mental Models For Managing Change - The Circle of Control, Influence, & Concern
Welcome to a very special mini-series on The Inner Game of Change. I’m thrilled to take you on this journey as we explore something both timeless and practical: Mental Models for Managing Change.
In this episode, we explore one of the most practical and empowering models in the change toolkit: the Circle of Control, Influence, and Concern.
When faced with uncertainty or disruption, where we place our attention can make or break our impact. This timeless mental model helps us distinguish between what we can control, what we can influence, and what we should consciously let go of.
You’ll discover:
- How to apply this model in personal and organizational change
- Common traps that drain energy and focus
- Practical strategies to expand your circle of influence
- Why mindset and boundaries are critical in times of flux
This episode is an invitation to pause, refocus, and lead from a place of clarity and agency.
Ali Juma
@The Inner Game of Change podcast
Follow me on LinkedIn
The Inner Game of Change - E86 - Change Adoption Through the Improvement Kata - Podcast with Tracy Defoe
Transcript
And the CADA particularly , is useful and , I think , works the best when we actually don't know the way forward . You know where we're at the . What I always say in learning we're at the edge of what we know and not where we're implementing a plan that worked in nine other plants . So please just make this your standard . But when we're actually in exploratory learning mode and
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