Lately, I've been enjoying the creativity of those AI-generated “action figure career meme” images floating around social media. That got me thinking… what would my action figure evolution look like, over the last 30 years of working in manufacturing, healthcare, tech, and continuous improvement?
So here it is–my career trajectory, distilled into action figures, as I first shared on LinkedIn.
1995: The GM Industrial Engineer Action Figure
Fresh out of school, I started on the GM shop floor as an industrial engineer. Tools of the trade? A clipboard, a stopwatch, and a notebook. We were reading The Goal and grappling with bottlenecks–yes, even our own Herbies. Lean was barely whispered at the time, let alone embraced. “Toyota” was still considered a threat (a dirty word), not a teacher.
My action figure back then? Probably wearing steel-toe shoes, holding a stopwatch, and maybe dodging sparks–literally and figuratively. Getting contacted via pager and returning calls via a landline phone.
But even then, there were glimpses of something better–of systems thinking, and of respect for people that could go beyond the norms of that era.
Today: Consultant, Author, Speaker, Podcaster… Still Learning
Now, my role has shifted. I spend time helping others improve–from startup teams to hospital systems, from manufacturing firms to executive coaching clients. I'm speaking, writing, podcasting… and always learning.
Today's tools? An iPhone instead of a pager, but still that trusty notebook. A MacBook Pro instead of a desktop PC. Whiteboard markers. Digital collaboration apps. And increasingly, platforms like AI that help us process and visualize ideas faster–but the thinking and culture still matter most.
My modern action figure? Business casual (rarely a tie), with a podcast mic in one hand, a sticky note pad in the other. (Healthcare variant: scrubs plus a Kaizen idea card.)
Reflecting on the Journey
The tools have changed. The setting has shifted. But what hasn't changed is the core purpose: helping organizations learn, improve, and treat people with dignity and respect.
Each phase of my career has taught me new lessons–and many of those came through mistakes, whether in factories, meeting rooms, or even from writing and publishing. As I shared in The Mistakes That Make Us, it's those moments of reflection and humility that help us grow the most.
And no matter the gear or garb, this work has always been–at its best–human work. A journey of Kaizen.
How Have Your Tools Changed Over Time?
What would your action figure look like now–and what tools would you be holding? What are the timeless ones you still reach for, even as the tech evolves?
Let me know in the comments–or share your own AI-generated image.
Keep learning. Keep improving. And maybe keep a few sticky notes in your back pocket, just in case.
The KaiNexus “Ofie” Version
I also created this and shared on LinkedIn:
Meet the brightest member of the KaiNexus crew… Action Figure Ofie: Austin Edition!
Ofie is our beloved (and proudly genderless) mascot, here to “Spread Continuous Improvement!” — now in collectible form, complete with Austin-inspired accessories:
- Braids and a guitar (Willie approved)
- bag of breakfast tacos (or two…)
- The latest tech tools
- A bat — because of the famous Congress Ave colony
- A margarita — a classically Austin cocktail
We wish we could hand these out at KaiNexicon, our annual user conference, but for now… let this be a joyful reminder of what we're all about:
- Making improvement a way of life
- Helping organizations work better, together
- Rooted in Austin, spreading change everywhere
Want to meet the real KaiNexus team? Join us at KaiNexicon!
If you’re working to build a culture where people feel safe to speak up, solve problems, and improve every day, I’d be glad to help. Let’s talk about how to strengthen Psychological Safety and Continuous Improvement in your organization.
This was a really fun and interesting way to share your Lean journey! I liked how you showed the changes over time, from using a stopwatch to using apps today. It’s cool how even though the tools changed, the main ideas of Lean stayed the same. The action figure idea made it even more fun to read.