Mark Graban’s newer Lean Blog Audio podcast series with “audiobook” style readings of selected blog posts. Learn how to subscribe.
We all say mistakes are a part of learning. Or at least many of us do, as individuals. But how many organizations actually act that way? Too often, people are punished for systemic errors. So, problems get hidden. When problems…
TL;DR: Psychological safety doesn’t mean everyone gets their way–it means everyone gets a voice. When leaders listen, explain decisions, and show respect even in disagreement, trust grows and continuous improvement becomes possible. There’s a phrase I’ve been thinking about a…
Are your improvement efforts falling flat, or are you constantly chasing red dots? Are you interested in improving the way we improve? I’ve had to re-tool my Cincinnati workshop (June 17th) since my collaboration partner is now, unfortunately, unable to…
TL;DR: New Coke failed not because of execution, but because leaders misread data and misunderstood customer loyalty. Forty years later, it remains a powerful lesson in leadership humility, learning from mistakes, and improving systems instead of reacting to noise. Just…
Nearly 30 years ago, I had my first real encounter with what not to do as a leader. I was working in a General Motors factory where the culture was one of daily disrespect. Leaders–if you could call them that–were…
tl;dr: Toyota treats psychological safety as a core requirement for learning, innovation, and digital transformation–not a “soft” extra. A new Japanese book and firsthand insights show how safety enables stronger TPS, faster learning, and better flow. Psychological Safety as a…
I’m very excited to announce that my latest book, The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation, has been officially selected as a recipient of the Shingo Publication Award by the Shingo Institute (the home of…
I’m excited to be presenting this webinar on February 12th at 1 pm ET as part of the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement webinar series: Mistake-Proofing in Action: Real-World Examples Across Industries The webinar description: “Are you looking for practical ways to…
tl;dr: A visit to Sukiyabashi Jiro in Tokyo offers a vivid Lean lesson: extraordinary quality and efficiency, but at a pace that raises questions about flow, pull, and the customer experience. Before Katie Anderson’s Japan Study Trip in November, I…
Last Sunday, in Frankfurt, Germany, I took part in a guided walking tour of the city. Our group included a young professional from Australia in his early 20s. He has taken leave from work to travel, backpacking across Europe. We…
A sad but true leadership tale: “Unlike most CEOs who rely on their executive team to keep them informed, [redacted] relies on his team to keep him feeling good about himself. And so whenever somebody would tell him something that…
At its core, Lean is about people–respecting them, empowering them, and ensuring their well-being while driving continuous improvement. Recently, GE Aerospace’s Lynn, MA, facility provided an inspiring example of what it means to put these principles into action, even under…
