Toyota is often cited as the inspiration for Lean, but its success is rooted in leadership behaviors, management systems, and a deep commitment to learning—not tools or slogans. This archive brings together blog posts, podcasts, and reflections on Toyota’s approach to quality, continuous improvement, psychological safety, and respect for people. Many of these posts explore what leaders outside Toyota often misunderstand—and what truly matters if they hope to learn from Toyota rather than copy it.
What top-performing EDs do – Hospitals & Health Networks I was really, Really, REALLY puzzled by the first line in this article, that read: “Lean, Six Sigma and Toyota Production System applications have simply not proven sustainable in health care.…
There are lots of comments online, blogs, and Twitter about people complaining that Lean at Starbucks is an attempt to turn people into robots. Again, that is the furthest thing from truth. Fine, don’t believe me. Believe a hospital. Some…
Afternoon post planned for today — initial reflections on my reader survey. Thanks to those of you who gave your feedback. Come back or check it out tomorrow. Now this morning’s post: TOYOTA: Company; Message from Top Management New CEO…
Mark’s note: Jim’s post originally started as a comment in response to my post “Where Did I Start with Lean?” but it exceeded the size limit for a comment, I believe. So I’m posting it here: By Jim Baran This…
Report: Toyota to liquidate its stake in Fremont’s NUMMI plant – San Jose Mercury News Toyota has not confirmed, but reports say NUMMI will be over after a 25 year run. Toyota Motor Corp. has decided it will dissolve its…
The Magazine » Toyota’s Secret: The A3 Report « MIT Sloan Management Review John Shook had an article published in the latest SMR, based on his book Managing to Learn: Using the A3 Management Process to Solve Problems, Gain Agreement,…
… I wasn’t impressed in the least. In my previous role as a consultant, I was given a company vehicle to use, even though it was basically for commuting to a local client, the airport, and occasional personal use. I…
After 25 years, GM ditches NUMMI tie-up with Toyota In the news this afternoon: PRESS RELEASE: 2009-06-29 GM Media Statement Regarding GM’s Ownership Stake in NUMMI Attributable to Troy Clarke, president, GM North America “As part of its long-term viability…
Toyota Names Akio Toyoda President, Apologizes to Shareholders for Losses This was rumored for a while, but Toyota has formally named Akio Toyoda as the next President. Yes, “Toyoda” with a “d” — that’s the family name. Back when Toyota…
I ended up having the chance to flip through a LIFE magazine from August 1980 and, given that was also a major recessionary period, it wasn’t huge surprise to see articles about joblessness and the decline of the auto industry…
Following The Toyota Way, For Better Or Worse : NPR (listen or read) I’ll hand it to NPR, they generally do a much better job understanding and covering Toyota than the Wall Street Journal, NY Times, or Reuters. Tuesday, there…
In Episode #67 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast, Mark Graban talks with Matthew E. May, former Toyota advisor and author of the Shingo Prize-winning The Elegant Solution: Toyota’s Formula for Mastering Innovation. Matt’s follow-up book, In Pursuit of Elegance:…