Why and How This Pizza Restaurant Owner Engages People Through Kaizen
A culture of continuous improvement is really powerful - in a pizza restaurant or any type of workplace. It engages Milennials and people from other generations too...
Tag Leadership
Leadership That Builds Better Systems, Better Results, and Better Work
Leadership isn’t about titles, charisma, or quick decisions—it’s about creating systems where people can do their best work and continuously improve. This archive brings together blog posts, podcasts, and reflections on leadership through a Lean lens, drawing on ideas from Deming, Toyota, healthcare, and real-world management practice. The common theme: leaders shape culture, influence behavior, and own the systems that produce results—for better or worse.
Thoughts on “Good” vs. “Better” from My College Marching Band Director, Dr. Stephen G. Peterson
What are the parallels between the mindsets and approach of a world-class university band director and our mindsets in Lean, Kaizen, and continuous improvement, in healthcare or beyond?
Podcast #281 – Julie Firman, a CNO’s Role in Lean Transformation
Joining me for Episode #281 of the podcast is Julie Firman, DNP, RN, FACHE, the Vice President/ System Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Southern Illinois Healthcare.
The Lone Wolf Problem: Why One Lean Facilitator Can’t Transform a Health System
Today's reader question comes from somebody who has been put in the position of what I call "the lone wolf" in a health system. This happens a lot. A health system hires or designates one person to be "the Lean change agent." It doesn't matter how amazing and/or experienced this individual is... I'd very skeptical about the organization's Lean journey.
The Good and the Bad of the United CEO’s Follow Up to Flight 3411
It's good that United's CEO has taken responsibility for system problems. It's great that they are changing some policies. But why does he say they don't have a culture problem if employees aren't empowered? That sounds like "culture" and a "problem" to me.
My LinkedIn Article: Supply Chain Matters – at the Oscars® and in Hospitals
The mistakes at The Oscars were trivial and unimportant in the grand scheme of things. What are some lessons learned that apply to improving healthcare supply chains?
Throwback Thursday: My Interview with Paul O’Neill on Patient Safety & Habitual Excellence
One of the highlights of my podcasting adventures was the opportunity to interview Paul H. O'Neill back in 2011. The original episode was posted here as #124 in the series. This post a summary of our discussion.
Is Calling People “Concrete Heads” an Effective Lean Change Strategy?
When did the term "concrete head" start getting thrown around in Lean circles? Do people still use this label today? Is it helpful? Should we agree that the term is disrespectful and counter productive?
My Article on Changing How We Think About Change
As part of my partnership with Cardinal Health, they have published an article that I wrote on their "Essential Insights" blog: "Changing how we think about change: How healthcare leaders can create a progressive culture"
Why I’m Not a Fan of Lean Titles Like ‘Expert’ or ‘Sensei’
Six Sigma and Lean Sigma has "belts." Some people in Lean call themselves a "sensei." Is that really appropriate? The term is supposed to be situational... it's a term of respect one chooses to use for another person...
James Hereford – A #Lean COO from Stanford Becomes a Lean CEO at Fairview Health
In today's post, I write about James Hereford, a Lean thinker and leader who is now CEO of Fairview Health Services in Minnesota. I share some links to and highlights from a past podcast with him and other blog posts with his thoughts.
Why Calling Executives “The Decision Makers” Undermines Lean Culture
I was at an organization recently where one of the relatively senior leaders kept using a curious phrase that made my ears perk up. The senior executives were continually being referred to as "the decision makers." Why can't everybody be a decision maker?
