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
Culp says GE's great Q3 results are a reflection of compounding daily progress from its lean management system
Is lean dead/dying? Not at GE Aerospace. A common challenge with the widespread adoption of lean is that the pursuit of results can become lost amidst a sea of tools, processes, and principles. Without sustainable, measurable outcomes, all the effort is simply theater. Larry Culp attributes GE Aerospace's 40% year-over-year improvement in deliveries to FLIGHTDECK— its lean management and continuous improvement system that truly drives tangible results.
Toyota reduces waste in its data architecture
Toyota is famous for optimizing workflow and minimizing waste on the factory floor. Many in the digital workplace dismiss these principles as only relevant to manufacturing. However, Toyota consistently proves that its principles of improving flow can be applied to any work process. For example, Toyota used these principles to eliminate 240 hours of waste caused by fragmented data architecture, demonstrating their universal relevance and effectiveness.
Microsoft COO uses kaizen to shape AI transformation
Carolina Dybeck Happe approaches AI as a strategic business-management challenge rather than just a technological deployment. Her primary focus is on people and processes first. With her background at the aforementioned General Electric, it's no surprise that Dybeck Happe brings a kaizen mindset into her AI strategy at Microsoft.
But the limits are too wide!
Simply plotting everything in an XmR chart and relying on it to separate signal from noise doesn't always make sense. Sometimes the limits are too wide to be practical, but that doesn't mean it's the “chart's fault”. Wheeler reminds us that all data contain noise and some contain signals – the analyst needs to differentiate between the noise of routine variation and the signals of exceptional variation.
Creating a Culture of Improvement
Be an island of sanity in a sea of uncertainty
What if your organization could serve as a refuge amid today's turbulence and uncertainty? While it's impossible to eliminate all ambiguity, your organization can become a sanctuary of stability, belonging, and purpose. Leaders – craft a haven of sanity within the chaos, where your team feels connected, supported, and motivated to achieve meaningful results.
Bob Chapman steps down from CEO at Barry-Wehmiller
Legendary people-first CEO Bob Chapman, author of Everybody Matters, which recently celebrated a 10th anniversary release, is making way for his son Kyle to take the helm at the Barry-Wehmiller conglomerate. Learn more about Chapman's leadership and the three revelations that shaped his people-first approach.
Culture, change and politics
Organizational change is really about culture. But what happens when key leaders resist? Dan Pontrefact and MBS discuss The Hidden Politics of Change on the latest episode of Change Signal.
Coaching – Developing Self & Others
Leaders – ask better questions and take questions better yourself
With decades of experience working alongside leadership teams, I can confidently say that mastering the art of asking insightful questions is the hidden superpower of the most effective leaders. Conversely, I've observed leaders who rely solely on issuing commands and demanding solutions, only to be surprised when their teams lack ownership in problem-solving. Warren Berger highlights the profound business impact of how leaders ask – and receive – questions, emphasizing the transformative power of this skill.
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Let’s build a culture of continuous improvement and psychological safety—together. If you're a leader aiming for lasting change (not just more 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 talk.
