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Chain of Learning: Empowering Continuous Improvement Change Leaders
AI is everywhere. And its use and capabilities are accelerating every day. But is AI actually helping us get better at getting better? Or is it just amplifying the friction, bottlenecks, and complexity that already exists in our workflows and processes?In this episode, Nathen Harvey, leader of the DORA Research team at Google, explores how AI is reshaping not just how we work, but how we can use it to elevate human work, collaborate as teams, and reach better outcomes.Drawing on new findings from the DORA 2025 report on AI-assisted software development, we dig into what truly drives high performance – regardless of your industry or work – and how AI can either accelerate learning or amplify bottlenecks.If you lead or work on any kind of team you'll discover how to use AI thoughtfully, so it supports learning and strengthens the people-centered learning culture you're trying to build.YOU'LL LEARN:How AI accelerates learning—or intensifies friction—based on how teams use itWhy AI magnifies what already exists, and why stronger human learning habits matter more than stronger toolsThe seven DORA team archetypes—and how to quickly spot strengths, gaps, and next steps for more effective collaborationHow to use team characteristics to target where AI (or any tech) will truly move the needle and support continuous improvementHow the Toyota Production System / lean principle of jidoka—automation with a human touch—guides us to use AI to elevate human capability, not replace itABOUT MY GUEST:Nathen Harvey, Developer Relations Engineer, leads the DORA team at Google Cloud. DORA enables teams and organizations to thrive by making industry-shaping research accessible and actionable. Nathen has learned and shared lessons from some incredible organizations, teams, and open source communities. He is a co-author of multiple DORA reports on software delivery performance and is a sought after speaker in DevOps and software development. IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources: ChainOfLearning.com/59 Check out my website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comConnect with Nathan Harvey: linkedin.com/in/nathen Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonLearn more about DORA: dora.dev/publications Join the DORA community: dora.community Download my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst Learn more about my coaching, trusted advisor partnerships, and leadership learning experiences: KBJAnderson.com TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:03:04 What DORA is and how it's used as a research program for continuous improvement04:31 AI's primary role in software development as an amplifier where organizations are functioning well and where there's friction05:53 Using AI to generate more code in software engineering07:03 Danger of creating more bottlenecks when you try to speed up processes07:44 Importance of a value stream to understand the customer journey10:41 How value mapping creates visibility across silos so others see different parts of the whole process10:55 The process of gathering information for the State of AI Assisted Software Development report12:20 Finding seven team characteristics based on a survey of 5,000 respondents and learning how to leverage the results to improve performance14:18 Examples of several team characteristics and how it applies over various industries16:33 The negative impact of focusing on the wrong process that impacts the throughput17:00 Focusing at different types of waste to prevent undue pressure on people17:51 What DORA has found in having a tradeoff in having fast and stable production pushes vs. working slow and rolling back changes18:50 Three big things you need to improve throughput and quality19:44 Why the legacy bottleneck team archetype is unstable with elevated levels of friction21:22 Why harmonious high achievers deliver sustainable high quality work without the burnout22:37 How the report findings are being used to help improve organizations23:42 Seven capabilities of the DORA AI Capabilities Model in amplifying the impact of AI adoption to improve team and product performance26:27 The capability of executing in small batches to see the process through to fruition28:52 How to leverage AI to elevate human work vs machine work30:58 The benefits of AI in making new skills accessible, but does not make anyone experts in a specific skill31:44 Leveraging AI to help you complete tasks that would've taken longer32:43 Using AI to elevate creative thinking, but doesn't replace your thoughts33:56 Ability to ask AI “dumb” questions to improve collaboration across teams34:49 Creating an experiential learning experience where there's not a step-by-step path on how to reach outcomes37:08 Importance of collaboration when moving from point A to point B37:35 The difference between trainers and facilitators39:03 Using the DORA report to form a hypothesis for your next experiment in whether a process is working39:55 Two ways to start leveraging AI to accelerate learning40:23 Importance of using AI and learning through use40:58 Benefits of having a conversation with someone who introduces friction to your work44:21 The concept of jidoka in designing systems that empower humans to do their best thinking and work45:22 Questions to ask yourself as your reflect on the role of AI in your organization
The blog postThis episode looks at how GE Aerospace CEO Larry Culp grounds Lean leadership in two fundamentals: safety and respect for people. Drawing on his recent appearance on the Gray Matter podcast, we explore how Culp applies the core habits of the Toyota Production System—not as slogans, but as daily practice.Culp traces his Lean development back to Danaher, where he learned kaizen directly from consultants trained by Toyota's Shingijutsu pioneers. That early exposure shaped his belief that improvement is a behavior, not a program. He still invites those same advisers, including Yukio Katahira, onto GE Aerospace's shop floors—reinforcing that the real expertise lives with the people doing the work.He describes how he “kaizens himself” after board meetings and plant visits, using the same PDSA cycle expected throughout the organization. His message is blunt: Lean fails when leaders try to drive improvement from conference rooms instead of going to the work.The conversation also highlights GE's SQDC focus—Safety and Quality before Delivery and Cost—and why Culp begins every leadership meeting with a safety moment. Given that three billion passengers fly each year on GE-powered aircraft, he frames safety as a responsibility, not a dashboard metric.Culp's turnaround work emphasizes cultural change as much as operational results. He's pushing GE from a finger-pointing culture toward a problem-solving culture, where issues are surfaced early and treated without blame. Psychological safety is essential to that shift.The throughline is simple and consistent: continuous improvement requires humble leadership, curiosity at every level, and a commitment to getting closer to the work. Culp's approach is a reminder that Lean endures not because of its tools, but because of the behaviors it cultivates.
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- ROI- Eating elephants- Too many ideas can kill an organizationPlease join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
Japan is one of the few places in the world where the ancient and the ultra-modern don't just sit side by side – they actively reinforce each other. In this episode of Interlinks, I take you on a journey across central Japan to explore exactly that: how philosophy turns into behaviour, how culture becomes process, and how long-term strategy shows up in the tiny details of daily life and operations. What I've seen on the ground in Japan mirrors my own Macro to Micro concept – the idea that if you want world-class performance, you must be able to connect big-picture intent with frontline action in a clear, disciplined way.We'll move from Tokyo's systemised mega-city environment to the rituals of the onsen in Kawaguchiko, along the old Nakasendo samurai trail in the Kiso Valley, through industrial and historical hubs like Nagano, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Uji and Osaka. Along the way, I unpack how Shinto, Buddhism and Bushido still shape modern Japanese supply chains, manufacturing excellence, quality culture and infrastructure. From the Toyota Production System and Hoshin Kanri to supplier relationships and everyday etiquette, we'll look at how Japan has embedded its values into its economic and operational success – and what that means for leaders trying to navigate uncertainty in their own organisations.As you listen, I'd like you to ask yourself a simple question: what elements of this Japanese Macro to Micro story could you emulate in your own business – in how you set strategy, work with suppliers, design processes or build culture? If this episode sparks ideas about how to translate your own strategy into disciplined execution, I'd be delighted to talk. You can contact me on LinkedIn, or reach out directly by email at pdaly@albalogistics.com to explore how I can help you apply these principles in your context. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mark DeLuzio discusses how the TPS House is not a set of tools, but a way of thinking, and that the tools of Lean support these principles. Starting with the tools before understanding the principles has proven to be the downfall of many companies starting a Lean transformation.
In this episode Devin and Uriel talk about some of the improvements they made over the past week and the thinking behind each. pond filter - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0777KYLJS?tag=arda06-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1Please join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI Please follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us.www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- Thrift- 6 rules of kanban- FIFO racking and warehousing- When should you break your own rules?Please join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
This month The Management Brief will explore prominent lean theories that have been guiding organizations in their lean transformations. This week, Josh Howell, LEI President, and Mark Reich, LEI Chief Engineer Strategy, are joined by Dr. Steven Spear, renown lean expert and senior lecturer at MIT. Steven is co-author of Wiring the Winning Organization: Liberating our Collective Greatness through Slowification, Simplification, and Amplification,1 which examines how some companies over the last 150 years have led markets by solving their most important problems better, faster, and easier than the competition. The trio discuss Steven's work and his 30-plus years of lean learnings. Steven recalls his start at the Toyota Production System Support Center (TSSC), when Mark was one of his mentors and sensei along with the Hajime Obha. He was thrust into all things lean and trying to grasp the Toyota Production System (TPS), without much clear instruction of principles and tools, instead just guidance to go and see and find things that were broken. “What I realized was going on is that they were teaching me to look for broken things, and the reason why they weren't telling me how is they wanted to first see what was broken in my approach,” says Steven. “So there was this layer of see a problem, solve a problem. That becomes sort of a mantra in my work about how we organize our behavior, how we architect our processes, how we architect our processes so that we can immediately see where we're wrong and use that as an immediate trigger to swarm onto the situation, figure out why it's wrong, and how to make it right.” Steven grasped that TPS is a system built around the ability to see problems and respond to them quickly. “It's a simple thing to say, but the hard work is to keep pushing and pushing and pushing so you can see problems in greater detail, with greater accuracy, at smaller scale, sooner before they have a chance to become big problems. And everything else I think I've done since that moment ... has been elaboration on those points.” The trio go on to discuss: Steven's immersion in Toyota led to the groundbreaking article, “Decoding the DNA of the Toyota Production System,”2 which puts forward rules for how to design systems that establish standards, capture understanding, enable individuals to see when things go wrong, and then fix the problems they find. High-Velocity Edge,3 Steven's first book, was built on the insights that the way for companies to compete is on solving increasingly more problems at greater depth and breadth and faster (velocity). He eventually wrote Wiring the Winning Organization, which states more explicitly that “winner's win because they're just much better at seeing and solving problems than anybody else.” Steven describes three layers behind the slowification, simplification, and amplification framework: 1) compete on ability to see and solve problems, 2) understand the instrumentation and ingenuity through which individuals work, and 3) architect the social circuitry in all processes, procedures, and routines by which the work of individuals is integrated into collective action toward common purpose. A problem-solving danger zone for companies is when iteration and experimentation are inhibited. To get into a winning zone requires slowification (committed time and space to solve problems), simplification (simplify problems at the operating level rather than moving them up and down silos), and amplification (see problems earlier and more often when they are small). Leaders need to liberate people's ingenuity rather than maximize efficiency, according to Steven. “There's too much in society where leaders think their job is to somehow collect data, do analysis, and then tell other people what to do.” While a fan of AI, Steven fears that leaders who are predisposed to data collection, analytics, and command and control management will turn AI into “an unholy devil for the rest of us” and dismiss creativity, dismiss ingenuity, and commitment to mission. Steven and his co-author Gene Kim have tried to harmonize problem-solving ideas across different communities of thought. “We've all had the experience where someone says, ‘This must be a lean problem vs. a Six Sigma problem vs. a DevOps problem vs. an agile problem.' Folks, it's a people problem. That's it. It's people who are in a relationship and either relationships aren't working because they can't see problems, they can't solve problems, or they can't systematize what they learned. And so we thought we were doing some kind of service here to simplify the language so people could speak and collaborate across domains.” Optimism about organizations' abilities to transform: “Outside in a personal life, [people are] striving so hard to be valued by others. This is not in sort of any kind narcissistic, weak way. It's just this is what people try to do. This gets back to like our creative origins in that we want to do things useful and valuable to others. And then we bring them into the workplace, and we tell them none of that: we're going to be demeaning of you, of your potential, your opportunity, your chance for appreciation. So all we're saying is, what we've naturally been created or evolved to do, just extend that into the workplace. Mark, that's my source of optimism because when you start having conversations with people that way and get them to talk about all the joy they have as coach of this, as head of that, as volunteer here, it's like, don't leave that at the door. Bring it in. And people, when you say, ‘Oh, that's what you want me to do, yeah,' they're happy to do that.”
Can decades-old management philosophy actually help us tackle AI's biggest challenges?In this episode, John Willis, a foundational figure in the DevOps movement and co-author of the DevOps Handbook, takes us through Dr. W. Edwards Deming's System of Profound Knowledge and its surprising relevance to today's most pressing challenges. John reveals how Deming's four-lens framework—theory of knowledge, understanding variation, psychology, and systems thinking—provides a practical approach to managing complexity.The conversation moves beyond theoretical management principles into real-world applications, including incident management mistakes that have killed people, the polymorphic nature of AI agents, and why most organizations are getting AI adoption dangerously wrong.Key topics discussed:Deming's System of Profound Knowledge and 14 Points of Management—what they actually mean for modern organizationsHow Deming influenced Toyota, DevOps, Lean, and Agile (and why the story is more nuanced than most people think)The dangers of polymorphic agentic AI and what happens when quantum computing enters the pictureA practical framework for managing Shadow AI in your organization (learning from the cloud computing era)Why incidents are “unplanned investments” and the fatal cost of dismissing P3 alertsTreating AI as “alien cognition” rather than human-like intelligenceThe missing piece in AI conversations: understanding the philosophy of AI, not just the technologyTimestamps:(00:00:00) Trailer & Intro(00:02:27) Career Turning Points(00:05:31) Why Writing a Book About Deming(00:12:53) Deming's Influence on Toyota Production System(00:19:31) Deming's System of Profound Knowledge(00:28:12) The Importance of Systems Thinking in Complex Tech Organizations(00:31:43) Deming's 14 Points of Management(00:44:17) The Impact of AI Through the Lens of Deming's Profound Knowledge(00:49:56) The Danger of Polymorphic Agentic AI Processes(00:53:12) The Challenges of Getting to Understand AI Decisions(00:55:43) A Leader's Guide to Practical AI Implementation(01:05:03) 3 Tech Lead Wisdom_____John Willis' BioJohn Willis is a prolific author and a foundational figure in the DevOps movement, co-authoring the seminal The DevOps Handbook. With over 45 years of experience in IT, his work has been central to shaping modern IT operations and strategy. He is also the author of Deming's Journey to Profound Knowledge and Rebels of Reason, which explores the history leading to modern AI.John is a passionate mentor, a self-described “maniacal learner”, and a deep researcher into systems thinking, management theory, and the philosophical implications of new technologies like AI and quantum computing. He actively shares his insights through his “Dear CIO” newsletter (aicio.ai) and newsletters on LinkedIn covering Deming, AI, and Quantum.Follow John:LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/johnwillisatlantaTwitter – x.com/botchagalupe AI CIO – aicio.ai Attention Is All You Need – linkedin.com/newsletters/attention-is-all-you-need-7167889892029505536 Profound – linkedin.com/newsletters/profound-7161118352210288640 Rebels of Uncertainty – linkedin.com/newsletters/rebels-of-uncertainty-7359198621222719490Like this episode?Show notes & transcript: techleadjournal.dev/episodes/237.Follow @techleadjournal on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.Buy me a coffee or become a patron.
What if the smartest move on your project wasn't pushing harder but stopping? In this episode, Jason dives deep into one of the most powerful and most misunderstood Lean principles from Japan: Stop, Call, Wait. Born from the Toyota Production System, this practice teaches that when something feels even slightly off, you stop the line, call your team, and wait until it's fixed before any defect moves forward. It's the opposite of Western "push through" culture and Jason doesn't hold back on why that mindset is breaking our projects, burning out our people, and burying us in rework. Through stories from Japan, lessons from Toyota, and real construction examples, you'll learn: Why "pushing through" costs you 100x more than stopping early. How to build a culture where people don't fear stopping the line. The connection between Stop, Call, Wait and not blaming people. Why loving your workers, truly loving them is the foundation of Lean leadership. This episode will challenge how you think about productivity, accountability, and leadership on the jobsite. Because real excellence doesn't come from speed, it comes from the courage to stop, fix, and protect your people and your process. Stop the line. Call your team. Wait until it's right. That's how we build remarkable. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two
In this episode Devin and Uriel talk about some of the improvements they made over the past week and the thinking behind each. Please join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI Please follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us.www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- Great feedback from Rob Lockwood- Tray size aka we love to batch- EPEI- Higher dimetional spacePlease join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
Can you build great projects without first building great people? In this powerful follow-up to Respect for People, Jason explores the heart of Lean's second pillar, Hitozukuri, the Japanese concept of “making people before making things.” Drawing from post-war Japan, the Toyota Production System, and the hard lessons of modern construction, Jason shows why the world's most successful companies and nations invest in humans first. You'll hear: The incredible story of how post-WWII Japan rose from ashes through training, not punishment. Why the U.S. construction industry keeps repeating the same mistakes by hiring skills instead of developing people. What happens when leaders spend more time with their teams than managing over them. How DPR and Toyota embody the “build people, build things” philosophy and how you can too. The simple truth: Without training, standardization, and care, Lean collapses. If you've ever wished your crews were more capable, your leaders more confident, or your culture more united, this episode is your blueprint. Listen now and rediscover the power of building humans before buildings. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two
In this podcast, I share a module from the new Lean Six Sigma White Belt course I have recently released for free on the LeanSixSigmaEcosystem.com platform.This module describes a quick history of Lean (or Toyota Production System) and how it evolved from the US to Japan and back to the US.You can sign up for the free course at https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/c/lean-six-sigma-white-beltLearn more about BPILean Six Sigma Ecosystem is now live! Visit https://www.leansixsigmaecosystem.com/ to access free courses and templates, or upgrade for premium content and coaching programs7 Continuous Improvement Best Practices: https://mail.biz-pi.com/lss-best-practices-funnelNeed help in your organization, or want to discuss your current work situation? Let's talk! Schedule a free support callPodcast Sponsor: Creative Safety Supply is a great resource for free guides, infographics, and continuous improvement tools. I recommend starting with their 5S guide. It includes breakdowns of the five pillars, ways to begin implementing 5S, and even organization tips and color charts. From red tags to floor marking; it's all there. Download it for free at creativesafetysupply.com/5SBIZ-PI.comLeanSixSigmaDefinition.comHave a question? Submit a voice message at Podcasters.Spotify.com
In this episode Devin and Uriel talk about some of the improvements they made over the past week and the thinking behind each. Please join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI Please follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us.www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
What if the smartest thing your team could do was stop? In this special episode of the Elevate Construction Podcast , Jason Schroeder and Kevin unpack one of the most misunderstood yet powerful principles of Lean: Jidoka “automation with a human touch.” Fresh from their reflections in Japan, they trace this concept all the way back to Sakichi Toyota's original loom where a single broken thread would automatically stop the machine to prevent defects. That simple idea became one of the two foundational pillars of the Toyota Production System, right alongside Just in Time. But this episode isn't just history, it's transformation. Jason and Kevin reveal how Jidoka's Stop. Call. Wait. mindset can revolutionize construction culture. Instead of “go, go, go,” imagine a jobsite where anyone at any level can stop work the moment they see variation or risk. No fear. No blame. Just precision, safety, and respect for people. In this episode, you'll discover: How Toyota designed “intelligent stopping” into its systems over a century ago. Why Stop. Call. Wait. creates psychological safety and eliminates rework. The shocking truth: Toyota averages 2,000 Andon pulls per day and celebrates every one. How construction can apply the same principle without slowing down production. Why leadership's reaction to an Andon call defines your culture more than any mission statement. Jason and Kevin break down real examples from Toyota's factory floors, powerful analogies from the field, and practical steps to bring Jidoka to your own teams, so quality isn't inspected in at the end, it's protected from the start. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode. And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- Essentiallism- The challenges of establishing a plateu- Sales pipeline- Limit WIP- Another Arda customer doublesPlease join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this episode, Mark revisits a 2007 conversation with James P. (Jim) Womack, founder of the Lean Enterprise Institute and co-author of The Machine That Changed the World. Nearly two decades later, Jim's reflections on the origins of the word “Lean” remain just as relevant.The blog postThe discussion takes us back to MIT in 1987, when Womack and his colleagues were analyzing data from auto plants around the world. Toyota and Honda were clearly operating in a fundamentally different way—faster design cycles, fewer errors, less capital, less space, and more value. But they needed a name for this system. That's when researcher John Krafcik suggested a term that captured the essence of “less”: Lean.Womack reflects on how the word solved one problem—it shifted attention away from “Japanese manufacturing” or “the Toyota Production System” to something more universal. But the name also created challenges: because Lean rhymes with “mean,” too many managers misused it as shorthand for cutting jobs rather than creating more value while respecting people.Mark reads Womack's timeless warnings and lessons: Lean was never about headcount reduction; it was always about eliminating waste, improving flow, and engaging people in problem-solving. And while the term has traveled in many directions since that 1987 “naming moment,” its underlying principles—value for customers, respect for people, and continuous improvement—remain as important in 2025 as ever.Listen in to hear Jim's words from that original 2007 interview, plus Mark's reflections on why this conversation still matters today.
In this episode Devin and Uriel talk about some of the improvements they made over the past week and the thinking behind each. Please join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI Please follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us.www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- EPEI- Kanban vs visibility / control- Yamazumi diagram- Payments on machinesPlease join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this episode Devin and Uriel talk about some of the improvements they made over the past week and the thinking behind each. Please join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI Please follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us.www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- Did I buy the wrong tool?- Declarative VS Procedural- Keep a spare on your desk. Just don't tell anyone- New product!Please join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
Nigel Thurlow previously served as the first-ever Chief of Agile at Toyota, where he created the World Agility Forum award-winning “Scrum the Toyota Way” and co-created The Flow System™, a holistic FLOW-based approach to delivering customer-first value built on a foundation of The Toyota Production System.Throughout his career, Thurlow has gained an enviable recognition as a leading expert in Lean and Agile methods, tools, techniques, and approaches. He specializes in developing effective organizational designs and operating models for organizations to embrace both Lean and Agile concepts. By leveraging knowledge from various sources, Thurlow helps optimize organizations to enact successful, long-lasting transformational strategies in applying Lean thinking, Agile techniques, and Scrum – while combining complexity thinking, distributive leadership, and team science, represented by a triple helix structure known as the DNA of Organizations™.As of 2024, he has trained over 8,500 people worldwide in Scrum, Agile, Lean, Flow, Complexity, and organizational design. Thurlow is a Professional Scrum Trainer (PST).An instinctive problem solver, Nigel Thurlow takes a method-agnostic, cross-industry approach in helping organizations find the right tools, methods, and approaches to overcome challenges within their contextual situation. He advocates for the fact that there is not a one-size-fits-all prescriptive approach to agility; all tools have utility, but they also have contextual limitations. From this vantage point, Thurlow equips an organization's people to become an army of problem solvers, expanding their perception of what they do so they can better understand and prepare for potential challenges along the way.Thurlow is currently the Chief Executive Officer at The Flow Consortium, a collection of highly regarded companies in the Lean and Agile world — as well as the scientific and academic communities at large. The Flow Consortium strives to expand the boundaries of current Lean and Agile thinking through the understanding of complexity thinking, distributed leadership, and team science by tapping into the minds of top thought leaders from these concentrations.While at Toyota, Thurlow worked to frame Scrum as more than just a standardized behavioral process by applying and advancing fundamental methodologies to spur innovative, forward-thinking solutions to Toyota's most complex challenges. He also founded the Toyota Agile Academy in 2018. These efforts signaled a transformative phase for Toyota, leading the company towards organizational agility and helping its team members better understand this concept in an automotive production context.Additionally, Thurlow has been a board presence at the University of North Texas since 2019, serving as an advisor to the Department of Information Science Board and a member of the College of Information Leadership Board. He has also served as the President of CDQ LLC since 2012. Prior to that, Thurlow held executive coaching and training roles for companies including Vodafone, Lumen Technologies, Scrum, Inc., GE Power & Water, 3M Healthcare Information Systems, Bose Corporation, The TJX Companies, Inc. – as well as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has also taught Scrum at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).As an author, Thurlow was named a Forbes top 10 author for co-authoring the book “The Flow System™” in 2020. He has recently co-authored “The Flow System Playbook” published in 2023 which presents a practical study guide and reference book to all the concepts covered in the first book.His other notable publications include “Introducing the Flow System (2019)” and “TPS and the Age of Destruction (2019).” He is also the co-author of The Flow Guide and The Flow System Principles and Key Attributes Guidebook. Recently, Thurlow co-authored “The...
In this episode Devin and Uriel talk about some of the improvements they made over the past week and the thinking behind each. Please join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI Please follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us.www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this episode of Quality Talks With Peggy O'Kane, NCQA President Peggy O'Kane speaks with primary care and health IT veteran Dr. Marc Overhage.Marc notes that many of health care's challenges are design problems—and design problems can be solved. The conversation highlights trailblazing models like hospital-at-home and the need for better data availability at the point of care. Marc's optimism about the next five to ten years is rooted in the belief that we have the tools, data and momentum to improve not just a handful of care processes, but thousands.Topics Marc and Peggy explore include:How a Transactional Mindset Undermines Quality: Marc sees what he calls “transactional” care as a design flaw that reduces care to disconnected snippets, leaving patients confused and providers unable to coordinate or focus on wellness.Clinical Decision Support as a Design Solution: Embedding quality into the care process is preferable to measuring quality after-the-fact.The Limits of Traditional Quality Measurement: Retrospective scoring frustrates clinicians and fails to drive real-time improvement. A better way is possible!Redesigning Hospitalization: Marc highlights how better logistics, financial models and care coordination—like hospital-at-home—could reduce unnecessary stays and improve transitions of care.Key Quote: It really is a question of how do you build quality into the care process, not measure it in. We all know that measuring into a manufacturing or a creation process is a limited strategy. It only goes so far.And the Toyota Production System, the Danaher Business System, other very successful models are predicated on, How do you build quality into the process as it's happening, have the ability to pull the chain and stop the production line if something isn't working, and continuously improve it?How do you stop and say, Okay, why are so many of our patients not being fully treated for their congestive heart failure? What is in the way? How do we improve it?-- Marc Overhage, MDTime Stamps:(02:57) Fragmentation and Transactional Care(07:04) Incentives and Profit Maximization(10:52) What Real-Time Data Helps Clinicians Achieve(19:34) Turning Clinical Insight into Actionable Care Plans(23:30) Encouraging Innovation and Trailblazing(29:12) Peggy's ReflectionsLinks:Connect with Marc
Nigel Thurlow previously served as the first-ever Chief of Agile at Toyota, where he created the World Agility Forum award-winning “Scrum the Toyota Way” and co-created The Flow System™, a holistic FLOW-based approach to delivering customer-first value built on a foundation of The Toyota Production System.Throughout his career, Thurlow has gained an enviable recognition as a leading expert in Lean and Agile methods, tools, techniques, and approaches. He specializes in developing effective organizational designs and operating models for organizations to embrace both Lean and Agile concepts. By leveraging knowledge from various sources, Thurlow helps optimize organizations to enact successful, long-lasting transformational strategies in applying Lean thinking, Agile techniques, and Scrum – while combining complexity thinking, distributive leadership, and team science, represented by a triple helix structure known as the DNA of Organizations™.As of 2024, he has trained over 8,500 people worldwide in Scrum, Agile, Lean, Flow, Complexity, and organizational design. Thurlow is a Professional Scrum Trainer (PST).An instinctive problem solver, Nigel Thurlow takes a method-agnostic, cross-industry approach in helping organizations find the right tools, methods, and approaches to overcome challenges within their contextual situation. He advocates for the fact that there is not a one-size-fits-all prescriptive approach to agility; all tools have utility, but they also have contextual limitations. From this vantage point, Thurlow equips an organization's people to become an army of problem solvers, expanding their perception of what they do so they can better understand and prepare for potential challenges along the way.Thurlow is currently the Chief Executive Officer at The Flow Consortium, a collection of highly regarded companies in the Lean and Agile world — as well as the scientific and academic communities at large. The Flow Consortium strives to expand the boundaries of current Lean and Agile thinking through the understanding of complexity thinking, distributed leadership, and team science by tapping into the minds of top thought leaders from these concentrations.While at Toyota, Thurlow worked to frame Scrum as more than just a standardized behavioral process by applying and advancing fundamental methodologies to spur innovative, forward-thinking solutions to Toyota's most complex challenges. He also founded the Toyota Agile Academy in 2018. These efforts signaled a transformative phase for Toyota, leading the company towards organizational agility and helping its team members better understand this concept in an automotive production context.Additionally, Thurlow has been a board presence at the University of North Texas since 2019, serving as an advisor to the Department of Information Science Board and a member of the College of Information Leadership Board. He has also served as the President of CDQ LLC since 2012. Prior to that, Thurlow held executive coaching and training roles for companies including Vodafone, Lumen Technologies, Scrum, Inc., GE Power & Water, 3M Healthcare Information Systems, Bose Corporation, The TJX Companies, Inc. – as well as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has also taught Scrum at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).As an author, Thurlow was named a Forbes top 10 author for co-authoring the book “The Flow System™” in 2020. He has recently co-authored “The Flow System Playbook” published in 2023 which presents a practical study guide and reference book to all the concepts covered in the first book.His other notable publications include “Introducing the Flow System (2019)” and “TPS and the Age of Destruction (2019).” He is also the co-author of The Flow Guide and The Flow System Principles and Key Attributes Guidebook. Recently, Thurlow co-authored “The...
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- Subassemblies collapse lead times- Edge cases must be accommodated in automation- Cadance vs schedule- Stationary production- Global optimums lead to global disruption- Loading up WIP reduces clarity and delivery times- Not enough room for clarityPlease join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
Nigel Thurlow previously served as the first-ever Chief of Agile at Toyota, where he created the World Agility Forum award-winning “Scrum the Toyota Way” and co-created The Flow System™, a holistic FLOW-based approach to delivering customer-first value built on a foundation of The Toyota Production System.Throughout his career, Thurlow has gained an enviable recognition as a leading expert in Lean and Agile methods, tools, techniques, and approaches. He specializes in developing effective organizational designs and operating models for organizations to embrace both Lean and Agile concepts. By leveraging knowledge from various sources, Thurlow helps optimize organizations to enact successful, long-lasting transformational strategies in applying Lean thinking, Agile techniques, and Scrum – while combining complexity thinking, distributive leadership, and team science, represented by a triple helix structure known as the DNA of Organizations™.As of 2024, he has trained over 8,500 people worldwide in Scrum, Agile, Lean, Flow, Complexity, and organizational design. Thurlow is a Professional Scrum Trainer (PST).An instinctive problem solver, Nigel Thurlow takes a method-agnostic, cross-industry approach in helping organizations find the right tools, methods, and approaches to overcome challenges within their contextual situation. He advocates for the fact that there is not a one-size-fits-all prescriptive approach to agility; all tools have utility, but they also have contextual limitations. From this vantage point, Thurlow equips an organization's people to become an army of problem solvers, expanding their perception of what they do so they can better understand and prepare for potential challenges along the way.Thurlow is currently the Chief Executive Officer at The Flow Consortium, a collection of highly regarded companies in the Lean and Agile world — as well as the scientific and academic communities at large. The Flow Consortium strives to expand the boundaries of current Lean and Agile thinking through the understanding of complexity thinking, distributed leadership, and team science by tapping into the minds of top thought leaders from these concentrations.While at Toyota, Thurlow worked to frame Scrum as more than just a standardized behavioral process by applying and advancing fundamental methodologies to spur innovative, forward-thinking solutions to Toyota's most complex challenges. He also founded the Toyota Agile Academy in 2018. These efforts signaled a transformative phase for Toyota, leading the company towards organizational agility and helping its team members better understand this concept in an automotive production context.Additionally, Thurlow has been a board presence at the University of North Texas since 2019, serving as an advisor to the Department of Information Science Board and a member of the College of Information Leadership Board. He has also served as the President of CDQ LLC since 2012. Prior to that, Thurlow held executive coaching and training roles for companies including Vodafone, Lumen Technologies, Scrum, Inc., GE Power & Water, 3M Healthcare Information Systems, Bose Corporation, The TJX Companies, Inc. – as well as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has also taught Scrum at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).As an author, Thurlow was named a Forbes top 10 author for co-authoring the book “The Flow System™” in 2020. He has recently co-authored “The Flow System Playbook” published in 2023 which presents a practical study guide and reference book to all the concepts covered in the first book.His other notable publications include “Introducing the Flow System (2019)” and “TPS and the Age of Destruction (2019).” He is also the co-author of The Flow Guide and The Flow System Principles and Key Attributes Guidebook. Recently, Thurlow co-authored “The Substrate Independence Theory,” a peer-reviewed scientific article
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- Are we the right size ?- Value stream mapping- Are we pushing too hard?- Variability is the enemy of leanPlease join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this episode Devin and Uriel talk about some of the improvements they made over the past week and the thinking behind each. Please join our patreo! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI Please follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us.www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Mark Reich, a former Toyota leader and current Chief Engineer for Strategy at the Lean Enterprise Institute. Mark is the author of Managing on Purpose. If you've ever tried to improve your team but felt like your strategy was stuck in a slide deck, this conversation is for you. Mark introduces the idea of hoshin kanri, a lesser-known but critical pillar of Toyota's management system, and explains how lean thinking is more than just tools--it's a way of developing people and aligning purpose across an organization. You'll hear why metrics alone won't get you to strategic clarity, how to escape the trap of firefighting, and why engagement, not just direction, is the key to long-term improvement. He also shares how lean thinking can be applied at home, even with your kids! If you're looking for insights on how to align teams, build capability, and lead with greater purpose, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Don't focus on the tool. The tools have to serve a purpose." “Catchball is not just a handoff of plans. It's a conversation about what matters and how we'll learn together.” “Direction without development is just pressure.” They're not called punishment calls. They're called co-learning calls. “If strategy feels like something being done to people, you've already lost.” “You don't learn PDCA by attending a training. You learn it by doing it, with guidance, reflection, and coaching.” “It's not just about solving the problem. It's about who solves it and how they do it.” “We had to change how we talked about strategy before we could change how we worked on strategy.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:49 Start of Interview 02:01 What early experiences shaped your views on leadership, strategy, or lean? 05:28 How do you explain TPS and hoshin kanri as two pillars of Toyota's system? 10:36 What are common mistakes leaders make when trying to improve the business? 15:23 Where do you coach people to start when they want better alignment? 17:40 What myths or misunderstandings do people have about lean? 18:12 Case study example: Turner Construction 25:45 What lean tools or concepts should project managers explore more deeply? 29:24 Where do you recommend someone begin learning about lean? 34:47 How has lean thinking helped at home—and with raising kids? 36:09 End of Interview 36:36 Andy Comments After the Interview 40:53 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Mark Reich and his work at the Lean Enterprise Institute at Lean.org. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 438 with Jeff Gothelf. It's a book about OKRs, which is different from hoshin kanri, but the overall discussion is worth checking out. Episode 387 with Atif Rafiq. It's a book that has a strategic approach to dealing with uncertainty. Episode 320 with Greg Githins. It's more about how to think strategically. Pass the PMP Exam This Year If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year! Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader–that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Business Acumen Topics: Lean, Toyota Production System, Hoshin Kanri, Strategy, Organizational Alignment, Leadership Development, Continuous Improvement, Team Engagement, Project Management, PDCA, Capability Building, Coaching The following music was used for this episode: Music: Underground Shadows by MusicLFiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Dr. Sarah Womack is a distinguished researcher and consultant in the field of Industrial Engineering. Her Ph.D. in the department of Industrial & Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor focused on the intersection of lean manufacturing practices and ergonomics. She has published peer-reviewed articles, presented as guest speaker at conferences and universities, and facilitated copious workshops on lean manufacturing. She has established herself as a leading scholar and consultant of one of the world's most coveted management systems, the Toyota Production System. She spent eight years on a journey in various leadership roles of “learning by doing” under some of the world's greatest lean thinkers at Toyota. Applying Toyota's management thinking, she consults across an array of industries with an innovative and practical approach to continuous improvement, organizational transformation, and operational excellence - coaching at every level from the C-suite to the shopfloor. She continues to learn and collect a patchwork of stories to teach and inspire others on their operational excellence journeys. In addition to her writing, consulting, and speaking engagements, Sarah is passionate about traveling the world and immersing herself in diverse cultures. Link to claim CME credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3DXCFW3CME credit is available for up to 3 years after the stated release dateContact CEOD@bmhcc.org if you have any questions about claiming credit.
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- Is the juice worth the squeeze- Disruption is so costly- Balancing the ongoing waste of not improving vs the waste of disruption- Flow where you can, pull where you mustPlease join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this episode Devin and Uriel talk about some of the improvements they made over the past week and the thinking behind each. Please join our patreo! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI Please follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us.www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- Cutting air with a planer- Reshaping spot welder tips- Unconstrained press operations- Cutting oil- 1 card vs 2 cards- Stats for getting rid of stuff- My 40 years at Ford- Cycle counts in Arda- Toyota 20 years for JIT- Know how VS know whyPlease join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
Chain of Learning: Empowering Continuous Improvement Change Leaders
A global economic crisis is dragging down sales.Departments are working in silos and leaders at all levels are arguing about priorities. Managers are too busy to coach their teams.You might think this describes your organization today—and it was the exact situation Toyota faced nearly 50 years ago.This challenge sparked one of the most ambitious and influential—and least known outside Japan—leadership development programs in Toyota's history: the Kanri Nouryoku Program, or Kan-Pro for short. “Kanri” meaning management, and “Nouryoku” meaning capability.Kan-Pro helped establish the people-centered learning culture Toyota is famous for today and embedded A3 thinking as a foundational process for problem-solving, communication, and leadership development.I invited Isao Yoshino—a 40-year Toyota leader who was one of the key team members who helped create and lead the program—to share his experience in two pivotal moments in Toyota's evolution and how he learned to lead cultural leadership transformation from a place of influence, not authority. Join me and Mr. Yoshino—also the subject of my Shingo-award winning book Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn — as we celebrate its 5-year anniversary this month!YOU'LL LEARN:The problem Toyota was trying to solve—and how Kan-Pro emerged as the countermeasureThe leadership styles of Masao Nemoto vs. Taiichi Ohno—and how both shaped Toyota's culture through the development of Toyota Way management culture and the Toyota Production System How Mr. Yoshino learned to coach and develop more senior executives as a mid-level internal change leaderThe process that established A3 thinking as the standard for leadership development, communication, and problem-solving across ToyotaCritical leadership behaviors that led to Toyota's success—which have come to be known as “lean management”Stay tuned for Episode 50 where Mr. Yoshino shares his major assignment to “change the culture”—how he and his team, including Lean Global Network Chairman John Shook, led the training and transformation of frontline American leaders at NUMMI, the GM–Toyota joint venture in the 1980s.ABOUT MY GUEST:Isao Yoshino, worked at Toyota Motor Corporation for over 40 years—from the late 1960s to the early 2000s—and played an important role in the development of Toyota's people-centered learning culture it's now famous for. He was a key part of Kan-Pro senior leadership development program, which embedded A3 thinking as the process for problem-solving, communication, and leadership development across the organization—and has deep expertise in the practice of hoshin-kanri—Toyota's strategy deployment process.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/47My website with resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonDownload my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst Learn more about the Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantrip My book featuring lessons from Isao Yoshino's 40 years of Toyota Leadership: LearningToLeadLeadingToLearn.comTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:03:51 The leadership shift behind the Toyota Way towards a people centered approach06:03 How Taiichi Ohno shaped the Toyota Production System and Masao Nemoto shaped Toyota Way style leadership07:41 Closing Toyota's leadership gap and how Kan-Pro emerged as a countermeasure12:41 Why committed top-down leadership ownership is essential to creating organizational culture14:46 How seriousness and patience sets Toyota apart15:17 Why Toyota created Kan-Pro to 're-tighten the belt' on leadership capabilities and why they need to refocus on leadership capabilities every generation18:55 The leader's role in setting direction and providing support to their people 20:40 The mindset shift in top management to not to fake it21:17 Mr. Yoshino's experience coaching senior leaders through hands-on A3 learning25:38 Key influence skills Mr. Yoshino learned from great Toyota managers28:12 The importance of respect by senior leaders even when there's resistance to change28:58 Being a Yes-Minded Persuader – a key KATALYST™ Chang Leader competency – in bringing leaders along in change 31:25 Lessons from coaching senior leaders using A3 thinking during Kan-Pro35:45 The positive shift when leaders prepare the A3 themselves37:48 Importance of handwritten A3s to senior executives41:13 The significance of a leader stamping their hanko on an A3 document43:35 Why an A3 at Toyota is different compared to most companies45:16 Mr. Yoshino's highlights in participating in Katie's Japan Leadership Experience lean management tours 48:29 Leading change involves empathy, patience, and helping others change themselves48:50 Questions to reflect on as a change agent in your organization Apply for the Nov 2025 Japan Leadership Experience https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
In this episode Devin and Uriel talk about some of the improvements they made over the past week and the thinking behind each. Please join our patreo! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI Please follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us.www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- Way too much spindrift- Have you heard of kanban- Freezing breast milk is a stark example of overproduction- Linked processes is the ultimate, but is also hard- Is the perception of speed with batching just getting more hits of dopaminePlease join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this episode Devin and Uriel talk about some of the improvements they made over the past week and the thinking behind each. Please join our patreo! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI Please follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us.www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNC'ed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- Rationalize you're production- Process vs operations- Kanban- QC circlesPlease join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
My guest for Episode #528 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Mark Reich, a Senior Lean Coach with the Lean Enterprise Institute and former Toyota leader with over two decades of experience. Episode page with video, transcript, and more Mark spent six years working in Japan, including helping launch the Lexus brand and later leading Hoshin Kanri strategy processes during Toyota's rapid growth in North America. He also played a pivotal role at the Toyota Supplier Support Center (TSSC), helping bring the Toyota Production System to manufacturing, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations. In our conversation, we dive into his career journey, his approach to Lean leadership, and the practical lessons behind his new book, Managing on Purpose: Using Hoshin Kanri to Develop Strategy, Align Teams, Grow Leaders, and Innovate Your Enterprise. You can get a 25% discount on the book via LEI using the code LBIPODCAST25. Mark shares compelling stories from his early days at Toyota, including working on the front lines of assembly, learning by doing, and his first experience pulling the andon cord. These moments shaped his appreciation for Toyota's deep respect for frontline work and its commitment to developing people. He reflects on how Toyota embeds learning and support into problem solving, where pulling the cord is seen as a learning opportunity, not a failure. That mindset became foundational for his later work, especially when managing enterprise-wide strategy through Hoshin Kanri. We also explore what Hoshin Kanri really is--and what it isn't. Mark challenges the overemphasis on tools like the X-matrix and instead advocates for focusing on purpose, alignment, and leadership behavior. He explains how strategy deployment at Toyota was never a one-way cascade, but a dialogue grounded in humility, curiosity, and shared responsibility. Whether you're new to Hoshin or struggling to sustain it, Mark offers insights that can help any leader make strategy a living, breathing part of organizational culture. Questions, Notes, and Highlights: How did you end up working for Toyota, and what led you to Japan? What was your educational background, and did you already speak Japanese before moving there? What was your initial role at Toyota, and how did it relate to their global expansion? Did you meet or work with John Shook during your time in Japan? How did Toyota develop you into an industrial engineer despite your background in English writing? What was it like working in a Toyota plant, and what did you learn from that experience? Did you experience any early mistakes or learning moments while working the line? How did your role evolve after leaving Japan, and how did you get involved with Hoshin Kanri in North America? What challenges was Toyota North America facing that made Hoshin Kanri so essential? How did you facilitate alignment and catchball between Toyota's plants and leadership teams? How do you define Hoshin, strategy, and Hoshin Kanri? Why do you prefer not to use the term "strategy deployment," and what's the issue with top-down-only thinking? How do you coach executives to embrace catchball and bottom-up engagement? How do you balance executive direction with frontline input in strategy development? What role does psychological safety play in making Hoshin Kanri work? How does A3 problem solving fit into the Hoshin process, and how does it help build capability? Why is it important for executives to practice PDCA and engage in direct problem solving? What's the difference between long-cycle and short-cycle PDCA, and how should leaders manage both? Why does it take most organizations a couple of years to fully embed Hoshin Kanri? What lessons do companies learn when they start with too many strategic initiatives? Why did you choose not to include the X-matrix in your book, and what are your thoughts on its use? What business problems does Hoshin Kanri best help organizations solve? How can Hoshin Kanri help clarify the distinction between daily management and long-term strategic work This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.
In this episode Devin and Uriel talk about some of the improvements they made over the past week and the thinking behind each. Please join our patreo! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI Please follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us.www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- Shingo Scientific Thinking Method- In house fabrication Vs purchased solution- Chain of Means and Ends- Process delays vs Lot delays- Single piece flow video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr67i5SdXiMPlease join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this episode Devin and Uriel talk about some of the improvements they made over the past week and the thinking behind each. Please join our patreo! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI Please follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us.www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this Concepts Edition episode Uriel and Devin discuss:- Shingo Production System Chapter 2 and 3- Process Vs operations- Material traceability- Type X and type Y- Who, what, where, when, why of productionPlease join our patreon! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI And follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us. www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
In this episode Devin and Uriel talk about some of the improvements they made over the past week and the thinking behind each. Please join our patreo! https://patreon.com/IncrementalCI Please follow us on Instagram and share your improvements and tag us.www.instagram.com/incrementalci In this podcast we discuss concepts from Lean Manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, and general business management to improve our businesses. Thanks for listening! Please drop us a note with any and all feedback! If you have parts you need machined, reach out to Devin@lichenprecision.com and follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/lichen_mfg If you need CNCed Buckles, check out www.austeremfg.com and follow at on Instagram www.instagram.com/austere_manufacturingTo reach out to the podcast directly please email fixsomethingtoday@gmail.com
My guest for Episode #527 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Dave Fitzpatrick, co-founder of Zenkai Improvement Partners and a 30-year resident of Japan. Dave brings a unique perspective as a Canadian Lean practitioner who has worked extensively in both manufacturing and healthcare, guiding international leaders on immersive study experiences throughout Japan. Episode page with video, transcript, and more In this episode, Dave and I share details about a new collaboration we're leading together--the Lean Healthcare Accelerator Experience. This is a jointly developed series of immersive visits to high-performing organizations in Japan, designed specifically for healthcare executives who want to see Lean principles in action across both hospitals and manufacturing settings. We talk about why we're creating this experience, what makes it unique, and how cultural context, leadership behaviors, and intentional long-term commitments drive sustainable improvement--not because it's "just Japan," but because of the systems and mindsets these organizations have cultivated. Dave shares his personal Lean journey, including how he transitioned from working in aeronautics to leading study tours for visiting professionals. He reflects on the differences between Japanese and Western companies when it comes to employee engagement, psychological safety, and respect for people. We also preview the first Accelerator trip taking place in June 2025 and discuss what makes these experiences so valuable and transformational for participants. Whether you're in healthcare or another industry, this conversation is packed with insights about creating a culture of continuous improvement--and how a visit to Japan can accelerate your learning. Questions, Notes, and Highlights: Can you share your origin story--how did you first get involved with Lean, Kaizen, or the Toyota Production System? What initially stood out to you when you began visiting Japanese manufacturing and healthcare organizations? From your experience, what cultural factors give Japanese organizations an advantage--or do they? How do successful Japanese companies build deep employee engagement and commitment to improvement? What lessons can visitors take home from Japan--and why is it not just about being "Japanese"? What are some common misconceptions people have before visiting Japan on these study experiences? How does hierarchy or seniority in Japanese companies affect psychological safety and speaking up? What kinds of organizations will we be visiting during the Lean Healthcare Accelerator? What role will Reiko Kano play in these visits, and how does her expertise go beyond translation? What's the value of including manufacturing visits in a healthcare-focused learning experience? How do Japanese companies view improvement work in relation to headcount and job security? Why is respect for people and time such a noticeable theme in Japanese customer service and operations? What do you hope participants in the Lean Healthcare Accelerator take away from this experience? This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.
Chain of Learning: Empowering Continuous Improvement Change Leaders
Apply for the Nov 2025 Japan Leadership Experience - early registration rate now through May 31st! https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/ How much of the Toyota Way is dependent on Japanese culture?And how much of it all comes down to… being human?There are questions I've explored with 130+ global leaders who've joined my Japan Leadership Experience programs. To help you answer this question, I've invited Tim Wolput – Japanologist and Toyota Way Management expert, to Chain of Learning.Together, we take a deep (and fun!) dive into the differences between classical Japanese and Western management and explore the cultural and historical roots of real lean leadership.In this episode, we travel through Japanese history—from Confucius' teachings to samurai and rice farming traditions, and Deming's influence on Japanese management. If you've ever wanted a masterclass on Japanese management and Toyota Way principles—and how you can apply these lessons to create a culture of excellence—these two episodes are a must-listen.YOU'LL LEARN:Misconceptions about the Toyota Way management practices and applying the principles across culturesDeming's influence on Japan and the development of the Toyota Production System and Toyota WayThe way of the samurai: Focus on the process, not just the outcomeShu-ha-ri: The process towards mastery and turning knowledge into wisdom by learning through doing The power of leading through influence and “doing the right thing”: true leadership inspires growth, not just resultsSubscribe so you don't miss Part 2, where we continue along this path of learning to explore the nuances of Japanese concepts like kata and obeya and their relationship to lean management practices today.ABOUT MY GUEST:Tim Wolput is a Japanologist and Toyota Way Management expert passionate about helping people transform themselves, their organizations, and the world for the better. Since 2023 Tim has been my in-country partner for my immersive Japan Leadership Experiences. Originally from Belgium, Tim has lived in Japan since 1999 where he attended Tokyo University Graduate School and studied traditional Japanese mathematics. Tim is a certified Toyota Way Management System instructor and consultant to global organizations on Lean, Agile, and Toyota Production System (TPS).IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/42Connect with Tim Wolput: linkedin.com/in/timwolputCheck out my website for resources and working together: KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjanderson Learn about my Japan Leadership Experience program: kbjanderson.com/JapanTrip TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:03:53 Biggest misconceptions about Toyota Way management practices05:10 Katie's perspective Japan versus the west08:46 The meaning of Shu Ha Ri and the traditional way of learning10:23 Deming's influence on Japan and The Toyota Way13:05 Why Japan embraced PDCA15:45 Difference in mindset between Asia and the west17:28 The working culture in Japan and how work together in the community22:17 Power of the supplier relationship23:40 Japanese leadership style29:15 Concept of doing the right thing30:56 How to focus on processes as the way to get results34:13 Powerful words of wisdom about the way of the samurai Apply for the Nov 2025 Japan Leadership Experience - early registration rate now through May 31st! https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
In this episode, Marty Neese, CEO of Verdagy, joins Amir to unpack what it takes to scale a company in one of the most innovative and high-stakes industries—green hydrogen. From managing a purpose-driven culture to embracing failures as a strategic advantage, Marty shares insights on leading ambitious climate tech initiatives while staying grounded in economic reality. Whether you're in tech, energy, or just love solving complex problems, this one's for you.
Strategic planning too often becomes an annual ritual that loses meaning as soon as the binders hit the shelf. Mark Reich is on a mission to change that.In this episode of Building Better, Brandon Bartneck sits down with Mark Reich, author of Managing on Purpose and one of the foremost experts on hoshin kanri—a strategy deployment system rooted in the Toyota Production System.Drawing on decades of leadership experience at Toyota and the Lean Enterprise Institute, Mark shares what it takes to build alignment, lead with intention, and empower your team to solve real problems. This conversation is for anyone trying to lead with clarity and drive sustainable change—especially in complex manufacturing and industrial environments.Whether you're new to lean or have been practicing for decades, you'll walk away with powerful ideas and practical insights.About Mark Reich:Mark Reich spent 23 years at Toyota, including time in Japan and leading hoshin kanri for North America during a decade of major growth. As a senior coach and chief engineer at the Lean Enterprise Institute, Mark has worked with leaders across industries to implement lean thinking, solve real-world problems, and lead with purpose. He is the author of Managing on Purpose, a practical workbook designed to help organizations implement hoshin kanri and build stronger leadership systems.About Managing on Purpose:Published by the Lean Enterprise Institute, Managing on Purpose is a hands-on workbook for leaders seeking to align strategy with daily operations through hoshin kanri. The book includes real-world examples and a fictional case study from TrueMowers to help readers apply these principles in their own work.→ Buy the BookAbout Building Better:Building Better with Brandon Bartneck focuses on the people, products, and companies creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. The show features real conversations about what leaders are doing, why and how they're doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences.Key Takeaways:Hoshin kanri is a practical system for turning strategy into actionEffective leaders align their organizations around a shared purposeStructured problem-solving is essential to improvementEngaging employees is key to sustainable successStarting small—with a model cell—can drive meaningful changeLinks & Resources:Learn more about Managing on Purpose: Lean Enterprise InstituteBuy the book: Managing on PurposeConnect with Mark Reich: LinkedInShow Notes: brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/markreichListen to the Episode:Apple PodcastsSpotify
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