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?
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.
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?
If a Surgeon or Hospital Puts Quantity over Quality, Why Call it a “Factory?”
I get worked up about labeling a troubled surgical department as "a factory," but there are far more important issues of patient safety and hospital culture to be discussed related to a Seattle Times investigative piece.
The Advice about Lean That Your Hospital CEO Should Be Getting
Art Byrne's latest book, The Lean Turnaround Action Guide, has a lot of great tips that he's trying to share, CEO to CEO. How many CEOs are reading this book and heeding his advice, in manufacturing or in healthcare?
Gemba Walks for Leaders: Practical Do’s and Don’ts That Build Trust
Mischelle McMillin, from Franciscan St. Francis Health, shares “dos and don’ts” for leaders going out to the “gemba” (the workplace). What is “the riddler” and why should you avoid being one in your efforts to create a culture of continuous improvement?
What the World’s Best Organizations (in Business or Sports) Do…
Domonique Foxworth, who earned an MBA from Harvard Business School after his NFL playing days, says, "... there are competitive advantages to be gained in the way that organizations are run.”
Changing the Culture: Cursing Football Coaches, Attacking the Change Agent
John W. Parks IV, pictured at left, is a Professor of Percussion at Florida State University. He was one of my favorite people during my time as an undergraduate student at Northwestern University. I played drums in the marching band there…
