Many leaders believe their businesses are primed for excellence – until reality hits. In this episode, Ishan unpacks the three hidden mindsets quietly sabotaging performance. First, the “half pregnant” mentality: thinking you can dabble in operational excellence without fully committing to a single, embedded way of working. Next, the short-sighted focus on this quarter’s numbers instead of digging the well –building capabilities and systems that sustain success years down the track. 

The illusion of being good: colourful dashboards, acronyms, and checklists that look impressive but often lack real substance or impact. If you’re tired of firefighting and cosmetic fixes, Ishan will challenge you to get serious about laying the foundations your business needs to thrive – today, tomorrow, and long into the future. 

For a copy of Ishan’s book, Unlock, please visit: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/books/ 

MORE ABOUT ISHAN GALAPATHY 
https://ishangalapathy.com/ 

Many leaders believe their businesses are primed for excellence &ndash; until reality hits. In this episode, Ishan unpacks the three hidden mindsets quietly sabotaging performance. First, the &ldquo;half pregnant&rdquo; mentality: thinking you can dabble in operational excellence without fully committing to a single, embedded way of working. Next, the short-sighted focus on this quarter&rsquo;s numbers instead of digging the well &ndash;building capabilities and systems that sustain success years down the track.&nbsp;
The illusion of being good: colourful dashboards, acronyms, and checklists that look impressive but often lack real substance or impact. If you&rsquo;re tired of firefighting and cosmetic fixes, Ishan will challenge you to get serious about laying the foundations your business needs to thrive &ndash; today, tomorrow, and long into the future.&nbsp;
For a copy of Ishan&rsquo;s book, Unlock, please visit:&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/books/">https://ishangalapathy.com/books/</a>&nbsp;
MORE ABOUT ISHAN GALAPATHY&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/">https://ishangalapathy.com/</a>&nbsp;

If you're immersed in the world of manufacturing or supply chain management, you've likely encountered the elusive concept of excellence. But what does it truly mean? Is it a destination or a journey? And how do we navigate the path to unlock excellence within ourselves and our organisations?

With more than 25 years’ experience in manufacturing across the Asia Pacific region, Ishan Galapathy delves into the heart of excellence, shifting the focus from tools and technology to the true drivers of success: our people.

Ishan shares insights and techniques honed from years of working with teams and leaders, helping them unleash their hidden potential and achieve remarkable results. Whether it's uncovering hidden capacity or fostering a culture of continuous improvement, he explores practical strategies for unlocking excellence in your workplace.

https://ishangalapathy.com/

If you're immersed in the world of manufacturing or supply chain management, you've likely encountered the elusive concept of excellence. But what does it truly mean? Is it a destination or a journey? And how do we navigate the path to unlock excellence within ourselves and our organisations?
With more than 25 years’ experience in manufacturing across the Asia Pacific region, Ishan Galapathy delves into the heart of excellence, shifting the focus from tools and technology to the true drivers of success: our people.
Ishan shares insights and techniques honed from years of working with teams and leaders, helping them unleash their hidden potential and achieve remarkable results. Whether it's uncovering hidden capacity or fostering a culture of continuous improvement, he explores practical strategies for unlocking excellence in your workplace.
<a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/">https://ishangalapathy.com/</a>

Excellence Unlocked delves into the heart of excellence, shifting the focus from tools and technology to the true drivers of success: our people

Excellence Unlocked

Ep58 Unlocking excellence by ditching half measures and quick fixes

A strange noise in a car that vanishes at the mechanic becomes the spark for a powerful business lesson: listening matters. Ishan explores what we can learn from mechanics who hear problems before they break, pilots who inspect aircraft for subtle warning signs, and leaders who tune into their organisations. 

There are three critical ways to listen to a business: to your assets, your people, and your operating rhythm. From daily equipment checks and frontline feedback to weekly, monthly, and quarterly reviews, listening creates early warnings instead of costly failures. 

Drawing on Oscar Trimboli’s work and the Chinese character Ting, we learn that listening is a full-spectrum skill – rooted in respect, presence, observation, focus, and empathy. Listen better, and performance follows. 

For a copy of Ishan’s book, Unlock, please visit: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/books/ 

More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his ‘Chaos to Excellence’ White Paper: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/ 

A strange noise in a car that vanishes at the mechanic becomes the spark for a powerful business lesson: listening matters. Ishan explores what we can learn from mechanics who hear problems before they break, pilots who inspect aircraft for subtle warning signs, and leaders who tune into their organisations.&nbsp;
There are three critical ways to listen to a business: to your assets, your people, and your operating rhythm. From daily equipment checks and frontline feedback to weekly, monthly, and quarterly reviews, listening creates early warnings instead of costly failures.&nbsp;
Drawing on Oscar Trimboli&rsquo;s work and the Chinese character Ting, we learn that listening is a full-spectrum skill &ndash; rooted in respect, presence, observation, focus, and empathy. Listen better, and performance follows.&nbsp;
For a copy of Ishan&rsquo;s book, Unlock, please visit:&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/books/">https://ishangalapathy.com/books/</a>&nbsp;
More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his &lsquo;Chaos to Excellence&rsquo; White Paper:&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/">https://ishangalapathy.com/</a>&nbsp;

Ep87 Listen better, performance follows

One of the biggest myths in modern operations is that performance problems can be fixed with better tools. Dashboards, automation and system upgrades promise clarity, but often amplify the very capability gaps holding organisations back. 

Drawing on insights from guests on previous episodes of Excellence Unlocked, Ishan builds on the summer series to explore why thinking capability must come before complexity. 

You’ll hear from three highly experienced operational excellence leaders. Manu Liyanarachchi, former ANZ Operational Excellence Lead at Coca-Cola, who explains why strong fundamentals and analogue thinking matter more than digital dashboards. Dean Patton, a veteran of Pfizer, Baxter and now Goodman Fielder, challenges the idea that tools and certificates equal capability. Alodia Bourke, a senior supply chain leader with experience across FMCG in Australia and New Zealand, highlights why teams mature at different speeds and why leaders must respect that journey. 

Tools are multipliers. When thinking is strong, they accelerate performance. When it isn’t, they create noise. The real breakthrough always starts with people, not technology. 

For a copy of Ishan’s book, Unlock, please visit: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/books/ 

More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his ‘Chaos to Excellence’ White Paper: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/ 

One of the biggest myths in modern operations is that performance problems can be fixed with better tools. Dashboards, automation and system upgrades promise clarity, but often amplify the very capability gaps holding organisations back.&nbsp;
Drawing on insights from guests on previous episodes of Excellence Unlocked, Ishan builds on the summer series to explore why thinking capability must come before complexity.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll hear from three highly experienced operational excellence leaders. Manu Liyanarachchi, former ANZ Operational Excellence Lead at Coca-Cola, who explains why strong fundamentals and analogue thinking matter more than digital dashboards. Dean Patton, a veteran of Pfizer, Baxter and now Goodman Fielder, challenges the idea that tools and certificates equal capability. Alodia Bourke, a senior supply chain leader with experience across FMCG in Australia and New Zealand, highlights why teams mature at different speeds and why leaders must respect that journey.&nbsp;
Tools are multipliers. When thinking is strong, they accelerate performance. When it isn&rsquo;t, they create noise. The real breakthrough always starts with people, not technology.&nbsp;
For a copy of Ishan&rsquo;s book, Unlock, please visit:&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/books/">https://ishangalapathy.com/books/</a>&nbsp;
More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his &lsquo;Chaos to Excellence&rsquo; White Paper:&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/">https://ishangalapathy.com/</a>&nbsp;

Ep86 Summer Series: Capability before complexity – Thinking skills outperform tools

After five intense weeks in Sri Lanka filled with family, friends, and nonstop catch-ups, Ishan is recording this episode in Thailand – off schedule and completely off script! This part of the journey was meant to slow things down. Instead, the last three days turned into a masterclass in disruption. You know the feeling — when you need a holiday to recover from the holiday. Add packed expectations, tight timelines, and food poisoning that took turns sidelining family members. Definitely not the plan. 

But this is where clarity appears. When carefully laid plans unravel, priorities sharpen. And what unfolded over these few days reveals two practical lessons about focus, adaptability, and what it really takes to unlock excellence in business. 

For a copy of Ishan’s book, Unlock, please visit: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/books/ 

More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his ‘Chaos to Excellence’ White Paper: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/ 

After five intense weeks in Sri Lanka filled with family, friends, and nonstop catch-ups, Ishan is recording this episode in Thailand &ndash; off schedule and completely off script! This part of the journey was meant to slow things down. Instead, the last three days turned into a masterclass in disruption. You know the feeling &mdash; when you need a holiday to recover from the holiday. Add packed expectations, tight timelines, and food poisoning that took turns sidelining family members. Definitely not the plan.&nbsp;
But this is where clarity appears. When carefully laid plans unravel, priorities sharpen. And what unfolded over these few days reveals two practical lessons about focus, adaptability, and what it really takes to unlock excellence in business.&nbsp;
For a copy of Ishan&rsquo;s book, Unlock, please visit:&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/books/">https://ishangalapathy.com/books/</a>&nbsp;
More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his &lsquo;Chaos to Excellence&rsquo; White Paper:&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/">https://ishangalapathy.com/</a>&nbsp;

Ep58 Unlocking excellence by ditching half measures and quick fixes

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