Each year, I take a mid-year look at what readers are finding most helpful, most shareable, and most interesting across LeanBlog.org. It's a chance to reflect on the topics that resonated–whether Lean leadership, psychological safety, continuous improvement, or lessons from industry case studies–and to see how people are engaging with the broader Lean community.
This roundup highlights the ten most-read LeanBlog.org posts from the first half of 2025, based on Google Analytics. If you're looking for trends in Lean thinking, practical examples of improvement, or evergreen topics that continue to draw interest, this list captures all of that. You'll also find which older posts continue to rise to the top year after year, thanks to ongoing searches and long-term relevance.
Thanks, everybody, for reading my blog here in 2025. And for listening to podcasts… oh so many podcasts.
I released 8 “Lean Blog Interviews” podcasts in the last six months. This year (June) marks the 19th birthday of my podcast, which started with this first Norman Bodek episode.
I was also happy to continue the “Lean Whiskey” podcast series–although it's been retooled as the “Lean Coffee Talk” podcast, and we released four episodes of that series by me and Jamie.
I also released 27 more episodes, including bonus episodes, of “My Favorite Mistake” for the first half of the year (a podcast that inspired my most recent book).
Below are the ten most-read posts of the year, according to Google Analytics (popularity doesn't imply quality, but it's interesting to see what people are reading and sharing) — data through December 15th.
You can also see which posts or pages have the most views, all time, since I started the blog in 2005.
Posts Written in the First Half of 2025
As I reviewed the first six months of 2025, I was reminded of one of the things I enjoy most about blogging: the chance to think out loud, learn in public, and connect with readers who are trying to make sense of the same challenges in leadership, Lean, and everyday work. I also picked up the blogging pace a bit this year, and it's been energizing to see which topics resonated most.
Based on page views through June 24, here are the ten most-read posts from the first half of the year:
- I'm Still Dreaming About My Meal at Sukiyabashi Jiro's Sushi in Tokyo (905 views)
- Toyota Raku: Respect for People, Comfort, Ease, & Ergonomics (392)
- New Book: How Psychological Safety Drives Digital Transformation and the Toyota Production System (315)
- From Game Film to Gemba: How Chick-fil-A Studies the Work (and Wins) (267)
- The Transformation at NUMMI: Isao Yoshino Reflects on Toyota's First U.S. Manufacturing Experience (218)
- Starting the New Year with Global Leadership Resolutions: Building a Foundation of Psychological Safety (202)
- Why Thinking and Action Matter More Than Templates in Lean (137)
- Why Great Leaders Share Responsibility Instead of Throwing Others Under the Bus (132)
- Measures Matter, but Make Sure Your Success is Real, not Fake (126)
- Whose Fault Is It Anyway? The Case for Learning Over Blaming (112)
Some Older Posts That Were Popular
Every year, a handful of evergreen posts continue to draw steady interest–often because they answer common questions, challenge familiar assumptions, or tap into topics that people keep searching for. Others rise and fall depending on what's happening in the news, in sports, or in the broader Lean community.
Here are the older posts that attracted the most readers in this six-month period, mixing long-time favorites with a few newcomers to the list:
- Oscars Viewership and Ratings: Unveiling the True Story Behind the Numbers Over Time (2525 views)
- Streamline Your Lean Daily Management Boards with Free Process Tracking Letter Downloads — Safety Cross, SQDC, and More (1003)
- Toyota's Respect for People Principle: The Heart of Lean Thinking and Practice (986)
- Analyzing MLB Tommy John Surgeries: Data Insights and Trends from 2000-2024 (809)
- Is Lean an Acronym? Is it “LEAN”? “L.E.A.N.?” — Understanding the Origins of the Term (807)
- Don't Threaten People with This Famous Dr. Deming Quote on Change and Survival (675)
- Safety and Lean (“Flight Deck”) Featured in GE Aerospace Investor Day 2024 (653)
- The Inconsistent Mobile Order Delivery Process at Starbucks Can Be Frustrating (636)
- How Kura Revolving Sushi Somewhat Mistake-Proofs Key Customer Moments (571)
- Gemba vs. Genba — Different Spellings or Different Words and Meaning (561)
- Just Do It? Don't Forget to Then Just Study It and Just Adjust It (437)
- Setting Lean Goals That Matter: An Introduction to SQDCM (Safety Quality Delivery Cost Morale) (355)
- Wise Words from Mark Twain on Continuous Improvement and Perfection (344)
One of those links / posts (and its video) regularly appears on my “top posts” lists:
Thanks for being part of my community here! Thanks for reading and listening!
Please scroll down (or click) to post a comment. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
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.
