RECENT POSTS
Learning and Growth PDCA
I had a conversation today with a close friend about learning, growth, and A3s. We were discussing how to help a team through the problem...
Leading with Hope
It's been a couple weeks since I last posted. I took some time away from everything to refocus on wellness and refresh myself. When I...
When Change is the Constant
As an organization chooses to implement Lean, or some version of the Toyota Production System, it is a complete change of business. Every...
The Non-Value Tablecloth
Just a short story to share. I am currently in Columbus, Ohio getting my first week of Master Black Belt training from MoreSteam. I will...
Think, Lead, Work Differently
I have been reflecting once again on the myriad of changes that have been happening with the journey of learning I've been on recently....
Being a More Human Leader
In the past two weeks I have been able to reflect more on the idea of how Lean makes us more human. The pillar of Respect can change how...
What motivates you?
I have been working with a small team in Atlanta, GA the past couple weeks and used a lot of the skills learned from our Operational...
How hero-minded management breaks systems
This past week I was working with a team on a project looking at some issues that were being seen in our overall surface transportation...
Define purpose, and create purposeful moments
I worked for Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL for just about a year as an Industrial Engineer intern when I was in college. In that time...
What will it take to change a culture?
Changing culture is difficult. I wonder how much frustration companies go through, especially those that have already got a pretty...
Gemba Learning Model
As we go on our Gemba Walks and do our Reflections, we also must step back to try to understand what it is we are doing while on the...
Frustration + Disbelief = Mistrust
I had a few experiences this week that really got me thinking about what was underlying the behaviors I was seeing. There has been an...
What Trader Joe's Can Teach us about Values
I have to start out with the simple fact that I am obsessed, completely obsessed with Trader Joe's. There's plenty to obsess about too....
Outward Mindset in an Inward Mindset World
Last week I posted about a great book called The Outward Mindset and described what it was about. This past week I started using this...
Leaning out the Cleaning
I hate cleaning. It's not that the cleaning part is what I hate, I hate the fact that things get so dirty so quickly and then I spend so...
Conformity, Creativity, and Standard Work
This weekend I watched Dead Poets Society, a movie I haven't actually watched until now. In the movie, Robin Williams' character, Mr....
Coaching is difficult, but worth it
I've been working with a team of real Lean leaders helping to change culture by developing our company into a learning organization of...
03 | It's Up to You
It's up to you. If you want to shift your mindset, that is ultimately your choice. I cannot tell you that Lean is the way to go for you...
Why should I trust you?
I've been having this conversation quite often lately. The idea is that for every action, for every statement, and for everything that we...
01 | Start
I was at the AME Conference 2017 in Boston, MA and was listening to a keynote speech by Paul Akers. If you don't know Paul, you ought to....