tl;dr: Toyota’s long-term success comes from treating Lean as a people development system, not a toolbox. By prioritizing learning, coaching, and growth over short-term results, Toyota builds stronger capabilities–and better outcomes–over time. When most organizations talk about Lean, they start with the tools. When Toyota talks about Lean, they start with people. On my last trip to Japan, I heard former Toyota leaders repeat a phrase that stuck with me: “We’re not just a car … Continue reading Toyota as a People Development Company: Why Lean Starts With Developing People, Not Tools