Today I have two guests joining me for Episode #314 of the podcast. They are Skip Steward, the Chief Improvement Officer at Baptist Memorial Health Care in Tennessee and Brandon Brown, the owner and “Master Kata Coach” of his firm, Continuous Coaching Commitment, LLC.
In this episode, we discuss their use of methods such as “Training Within Industry” and “Toyota Kata” in the important work of healthcare improvement. Skip and Brandon both have backgrounds in manufacturing, but they have been able to translate Lean skills and mindsets into healthcare. We'll also talk about their dynamic as consultant / client and how the roles of “coach” and “learner” are often very situational and how we can be both at different times.
Streaming Player:
For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/314.
For earlier episodes of my podcast, visit the main Podcast page, which includes information on how to subscribe via RSS, through Android apps, or via Apple Podcasts. You can also subscribe and listen via Stitcher.
Topics and notes for this episode:
- Introductions:
- Skip: Can you please introduce yourself and your experience with Lean or other improvement methodologies?
- Dr. Deming was an influence? Why is that lens important?
- But patients aren't cars…
- Brandon: Likewise, can you introduce yourself?
- Skip: Can you please introduce yourself and your experience with Lean or other improvement methodologies?
- Skip – can you tell us about the Lean journey at Baptist?
- How did you get started?
- Where did you start and why?
- What's your approach?
- Why did Kata catch on?
- Brandon – how and when were you brought in as a coach?
- What is your role?
- What have you been teaching about Toyota Kata?
- Other Lean concepts?
- Why and how is Toyota Kata “a people development process?”
- Skip: Thoughts on the priority of people development at Baptist?
- TWI and Kata are “a marriage made in heaven”
- Why does a good coach have to be a good “learner” first?
- How has Training Within Industry been helpful?
- Any favorite stories or examples of improvement at Baptist?
- Advice for other leaders in a similar situation?
- Thanks to Skip for mentioning my book, Measures of Success, available now.
Videos:
Check out their Baptist Management System channel on YouTube:
Here is a video demonstrating TWI training methods:
Thanks for listening!
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Let’s build a culture of continuous improvement and psychological safety—together. If you're a leader aiming for lasting change (not just more projects), I help organizations:
- Engage people at all levels in sustainable improvement
- Shift from fear of mistakes to learning from them
- Apply Lean thinking in practical, people-centered ways
Interested in coaching or a keynote talk? Let’s talk.
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