Thanks, as always, to Ryan McCormack for this. He always shares so much good reading, listening, and viewing here! Subscribe to get these directly from Ryan via email.
News, articles, books, podcasts, and videos about how to make the workplace better.
Operational Excellence, Improvement, and Innovation
Honoring Dr. Lucian Leape: Pioneering Systemic Change to Safer Healthcare
Dr. Lucian Leape passed away in July, but his pioneering work in transforming healthcare safety continues to inspire progress. As a trailblazer in medical quality, Dr. Leape was among the first to challenge the notion that medical errors are inevitable. His groundbreaking 1999 report, “To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System,” laid the foundation for understanding that many errors are preventable.
Leape's bold assertion that “It's not bad people, it's bad systems” urged healthcare leaders worldwide to address the systemic causes of mistakes, shifting the focus from blame to improvement. While we've made strides, there's still a long way to go in eliminating systemic errors and resisting the temptation to blame individuals or fate.
This week, experts like Mark Graban remind us to ask “why?” rather than “who?”–seeking root causes that can drive meaningful change. Let's honor Leape's legacy by committing to continuous improvement and building safer healthcare systems for all.
Lean Transformation at GE
I thoroughly enjoyed a conversation with Katie Anderson and Phil Wickler, Chief Transformation Officer at GE Aerospace and a 30-year GE veteran, about GE's Lean Transformation journey. Phil shared how they are scaling lean thinking through their proprietary management system, FLIGHTDECK.
This discussion is packed with valuable insights, including:
- GE's emphasis on going directly to the source and asking, “What's the gemba evidence?” when tackling problems.
- The importance of cross-functional improvement efforts; if initiatives aren't collaborative, they're likely ineffective. Avoid the “laundry list” approach at the end of a kaizen week by doing effective pre-work and conducting sustainment walks.
- The need to balance process rigor with results–highlighting that “you can't have freedom within a framework” when focusing on KPIs.
- The shift from functioning as a P&L leader to becoming a transformation leader, often using a hub-and-spoke model to drive change.
- The critical role of daily management and “winning the day” in fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Tune in to Episode 46 of Chain of Learning: Leading Change at Scale — Inside GE Aerospace's Lean Cultural Transformation for an in-depth look at how GE is driving change at scale.
Productivity, AI, and Pushback
Productivity wins out in the long run. Seth Godin suggests that either you work for an AI or AI works for you.
How One-Piece Flow Improves Quality
The “Flow Cell” is often promoted as an ideal goal in manufacturing, but many managers may not fully understand why it has such a significant positive impact on quality. Michel Baudin explains the key mechanisms behind how a one-piece flow cell drives substantial improvements in quality.
Your Next Video Game? Kaizen: A Factory Story
Ever wanted a video game that tasks you with constructing and optimizing a production line? Well, in July, Zach Barth is releasing a programmable factory sim about assembling consumer goods for a Japanese corporation during the 1980s asset price bubble.
Creating a Culture of Improvement
Until You Change the System, Nothing Changes
It's been almost 20 years since Gary Hamel published The Future of Management, where he challenged deeply held traditions of command and control, efficiency, and suggested a radical innovation in management was needed to win in the future. Was he prescient? In my opinion, not much has changed – yet.
Now, in 2025, Hamel shares that management hasn't experienced any significant innovation, preferring to cling to traditional preconceptions. Until you change the system, nothing changes.
Change Is Messy and Complex
Change is inherently challenging, emotionally charged, and complex. So, why do we still rely on linear, template-based project management methods while expecting them to effectively handle such a nuanced process?
Michael Bungay-Stanier reminds us that if the change feels messy, you're likely on the right track. Embrace the chaos as part of authentic change management.
Don't miss his insightful conversation with Dave Stachowiak on Coaching for Leaders#740 How to Lead Organizational Change with Michael Bungay-Stanier and discover how to navigate change with resilience and authenticity.
Coaching – Developing Self & Others
7 Proven Ways to Beat Your Procrastination
When “How” Matters More Than “Why”
We've been obsessed with ensuring that we understand “why” we do what we do – and it is important. But our everyday ways of working, the “how's”, can reveal what really matters. What's a small action or habit where how you do it matters more than why?
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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.
