Summary: Today's “mixtape” post brings together timely ideas on continuous improvement, leadership, productivity, and workplace culture. From avoiding “blank slate” metrics and rethinking PDCA/PDSA debates to learning from small, human-centered improvements like the Moylan Arrow, this edition highlights practical ways leaders can move beyond change fatigue and build cultures that solve problems every day.
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
Don't start the New Year with blank charts
It's time to set resolutions. January provides us an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start from scratch, right? Not so fast – Mark Graban is back to remind us that it's better to keep updating your charts and dashboards with rolling data rather than start the New Year off with blank metrics – unless you literally started your systems anew in January.
Is it PDSA or PDCA? Interesting, but integration is what's important
I'm not one to get into debates over which “guru” prescribed which misinterpreted trope, but I did enjoy this brief history of PDSA, PDCA, and Deming, where Jamie Flinchbaugh reminds us that, whether you refer to the Shewhart cycle or the Deming cycle, it's about integrating the thinking – not clumsily applying a 4 step method.
Get off the “transformation treadmill” in 2026
What's in store for 2026? More change. But organizations are getting weary from another “change program” or “business transformation”. Get off the transformation treadmill and focus on building a culture of solving problems at all levels every day.
Will 2026 (finally) be the year of productivity?
The world is awash in wealth, but also debt. Could AI be the key to unleashing the world's lagging productivity? Maybe, but it's not inevitable.
Forbes predicts 2026 work trends
What's in store for the workplace in 2026? Who know. But Forbes invited 10 workplace experts to weigh in to predict 5 workplace trends for 2026.
Creating a Culture of Improvement
How a small idea can make lives a little better – the Moylan Arrow
“There are two types of drivers: the ones aware of the Moylan Arrow and the ones who get to find out.”
One day, in 1986, a Ford engineer pulled up to the gas station in the rain to realize he parked on the wrong side of the pump. Inspired to help others avoid this inconvenience, he returned to work and proposed a countermeasure – an indicator on the fuel gauge that reminds the driver which side of the vehicle the gas cap is on. Within a few months, the design team agreed to put his idea into production. Nowadays, its found in pretty much any gas-powered vehicle.
The engineer, Jim Moylan, recently died, and at his memorial service someone remarked “Heavenly father, I don't know what kind of a car you drive–or if you have a driver”, and as the room laughed, went on: “Jim will always know which side to pull in and fill up.”
The Moylan arrow is another example of where many good ideas come from – first-hand experience, a desire to make things better for customers, and an organization willing to listen.
Leaders need to change their change myths
2025 reminded us that change is the norm, and not some exceptional state that needs to be managed differently. In 2026, let's confront 7 change management myths that leaders still believe.
Coaching – Developing Self & Others
James Clear on building habits
Well, it's that time of year where we resolve to ditch bad habits and replace them with better ones. But we all know it's easier said than done, and the half-life of New Year's resolutions is shorter than this sentence.
So how might we increase our odds of sticking with it this year? James Clear, author of the worldwide best-seller Atomic Habits, shares his enduring wisdom on how to build good habits on the latest episode of the Knowledge Project.
Looking to be more productive in 2026? Add these 2 routines
Many of us resolve to get more out of our day. Productivity expert Cal Newport recommends you add these 2 routines to be more productive in 2026.
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