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.
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…
Blame-based cultures kill improvement. Leaders must resolve to build trust and safety if they want innovation and engagement. During Katie Anderson‘s Japan Study Trip this past November, a participant shared an observation with me that resonated deeply: “The biggest challenge…
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. From Ryan: Thank you for your continued readership and support. 2024 marked…
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…
As a Lean practitioner, I found the Wall Street Journal article about Ryan DeLand, the 39-year-old leader of Whirlpool’s washing machine plant in Clyde, Ohio, to be fascinating. Here’s a free link: A Day in the Life of the 39-Year-Old…
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…
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…
Twelve years later, I realized I had already met the legendary Toyota leader on my very first Lean trip to Japan. Here’s what I learned then–and what I’m still learning now. I’m very excited to depart for Japan on Sunday…
I’m happy to announce a live-streamed recording of my Lean podcast with my guest Jarvis Gray. You can join us Live on Linkedin on Wednesday, October 30 at 1 pm ET. EVENT LINK The episode will also be released as…
Listen: In Episode 48 of the Lean Whiskey podcast, Jamie Flinchbaugh and Mark Graban begin by comparing two whiskeys from the same distillery. Mark selected Woodford Reserve, and had a pour of both the Double Oaked (which we both agree…
“I am never, ever wrong.” That’s a statement that should disqualify an applicant from ANY leadership position. If a leader insists on being right, what happens when someone else sees a problem with the plan? They may decide that staying…
