With a heavy heart, I'd like to honor and remember David Mann, a noted author in the #Lean Management community, who passed away on the 26th.
You can read his obituary here.
David's outstanding book, Creating a Lean Culture was in its 3rd edition. The book was a Shingo Publication Award winner and was translated into many languages. Here is the review that I wrote in 2005.
David was twice a guest on my podcast. Below, you'll find links to these insightful conversations, where David shared his profound knowledge and experiences.
I also had the pleasure of meeting him in person once when I helped bring him in to speak about Lean leadership to a group of healthcare executives. His insights and expertise were a source of inspiration and learning for all who attended.
My heart goes out to David's family, friends, and former colleagues, including those at Steelcase, where he profoundly impacted lives and careers. The loss of David is felt deeply, not just by those who knew him personally but by the entire Lean community.
In remembrance of David, I encourage you to read his obituary linked here, which provides a glimpse into his life and legacy.
Furthermore, I invite you to join in commemorating David's life and contributions. You can share your thoughts, memories, or read tributes by others in the Lean community on this LinkedIn Post, or you can post a comment here on the blog.
David's passing is a significant loss, but his teachings and influence will continue to guide and inspire us. Let us honor his memory by continuing to learn from and build upon the foundation he laid in the world of Lean Management.
David Mann's Episodes
David was a guest in Episodes #9 and #212 of my Lean Blog Interviews podcast series.
You can also read some of his thoughts as shared in this blog post:
Video of David Mann
Please scroll down (or click) to post a comment. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Let’s work together to build a culture of continuous improvement and psychological safety. If you're a leader looking to create lasting change—not just 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 start a conversation.
