Operational excellence isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about how leaders show up. In this episode, Mark Graban talks with Kathy Miller, senior operations executive and author of More Is Better, about why meaning, optimism, and relationships are essential to safety, quality, engagement, and performance. Drawing on decades in manufacturing and research from positive psychology, Kathy shares practical insights on realistic optimism, psychological safety, and leading with compassion and accountability—especially in high-pressure operational environments.

Why does Lean succeed on factory floors but struggle in offices and executive work? In this episode, Mark Graban speaks with Don Kieffer—former Harley-Davidson VP of Operational Excellence and co-creator of Dynamic Work Design—about applying Toyota thinking to modern knowledge work. Don shares how his experiences with Toyota sensei Hajime Oba reshaped his views on Lean, moving away from copied rituals toward principles that redesign how work actually flows through people. He explains the five principles of Dynamic Work Design and why culture and behavior follow from work design, not leadership slogans. This episode is essential listening for leaders, improvement professionals, and executives responsible for complex, intellectual work in engineering, healthcare, finance, and beyond.

Why do Lean and continuous improvement programs struggle to sustain results? In this episode, Mark Graban talks with Darren Walsh, author of Making Lean and Continuous Improvement Work, about the leadership routines and systems required to move organizations out of firefighting mode. Darren explains why “shiny Lean” initiatives fail, introduces his DAMI model (Define, Achieve, Maintain, Improve), and shares real-world examples from healthcare, manufacturing, and energy. He makes the case that standards and daily management must come before Kaizen. This conversation is a practical guide for leaders who want consistency, clarity, and lasting results—not short-lived improvement efforts.

My guest for Episode #538 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Nelson Repenning, Faculty Director of the MIT Leadership Center and co-creator of Dynamic Work Design. Episode page with video, transcript, and more Nelson describes himself as an "organizational engineer," helping leaders redesign the routines and decisions that determine how work really gets done. He joins host Mark Graban to discuss his new book, There's Got to Be a Better Way: How to Deliver Results and Eliminate the Chaos of Modern Work, co-authored with Donald Kieffer. In this conversation, Nelson shares insights drawn from his decades of experience studying system dynamics, Lean thinking, and organizational learning. He explains how leaders often fall into the "capability trap" -- spending their days firefighting immediate issues instead of improving the underlying system. From the arms race of hospital alarms to the collapse of fast-growing companies, he connects examples from healthcare, manufacturing, and technology to show why even good intentions can create destructive feedback loops if we don't understand the system. Mark and Nelson also explore how Dynamic Work Design translates Lean principles like flow, visualization, and problem-solving into knowledge work. They discuss the five core principles -- including "Structure for Discovery" and "Connect the Human Chain" -- that help organizations make work visible, surface problems early, and evolve systems continuously. Listeners will learn how to move from firefighting to focus, and from chaos to sustainable improvement. Questions, Notes, and Highlights: How did you first get involved in the field of system dynamics at MIT? For those unfamiliar, what exactly is system dynamics -- and how does it apply to management and organizations? Why hasn't system dynamics had the impact on practice that it deserves? What lessons can we learn from the classic examples you've taught, like the Mississippi River levee arms race or the "People Express" airline simulation? How do those feedback loops and unintended consequences show up in today's industries, like healthcare or tech? What led you and Donald Kieffer to write There's Got to Be a Better Way? What core problems were you trying to address? Can you explain the "capability trap" and how firefighting keeps organizations from improving? Why is it so hard for people to commit to prevention and long-term improvement when firefighting feels more rewarding? How does Dynamic Work Design help leaders "structure for discovery" and surface problems earlier? What role does psychological safety play in making it safe to raise problems? How do you define "Dynamic Work Design," and what makes it different from traditional management systems? Why is it important for leaders to "go see the work" firsthand? Can you walk us through the five principles of Dynamic Work Design -- and how they connect to Lean? What does "Connect the Human Chain" mean, and why do so many organizations get communication wrong? Can you share an example where these principles led to measurable improvement -- such as the hospital case you mentioned? What can leaders learn from Toyota and other high-reliability organizations about making improvement continuous rather than episodic? How do leaders shift from reactive, one-off change programs to daily, ongoing learning? What message do you hope managers take away from There's Got to Be a Better Way? This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 

Mark Graban and C.J. Kaufman discuss why quality, leadership, and psychological safety must go hand in hand for sustainable improvement. Using the ASQ Southwest Ohio conference as context, they explore how leaders can build systems where people feel safe to speak up, improve quality, and strengthen continuous improvement. They discuss how the event brings together quality professionals from Cincinnati and Dayton to explore leadership, teamwork, and continuous improvement, with psychological safety as a central theme. C.J. shares how the conference was designed collaboratively and what attendees can expect from the speaker lineup. Listeners will also hear how quality improvement thrives when people feel safe speaking up, learning from mistakes, and challenging the status quo—key ideas that connect Deming’s philosophy, Lean thinking, and modern leadership practices.

Caring cultures are not a “soft” add-on to Lean—they are foundational to sustainable continuous improvement. In this episode, Mark Graban speaks with Caroline Greenlee and Chris Butterworth, co-authors of Why Care, about why psychological safety, respect for people, and wellbeing are essential for performance that lasts. The conversation explores how caring leadership enables people to speak up, learn from mistakes, and fully engage in problem solving. Drawing on research, real-world experience, and Shingo-aligned thinking, Caroline and Chris explain why thriving individuals are the starting point for thriving teams and organizations. This episode is a must-listen for leaders, Lean practitioners, and improvement professionals who want to move beyond tools and build cultures where people—and improvement—can truly flourish. They discuss why caring cultures are not a “soft” add-on to Lean, but a prerequisite for sustainable continuous improvement. The conversation explores how psychological safety, respect for people, and wellbeing shape leadership behavior, team dynamics, and organizational performance. Topics include: Why Lean fails when culture and wellbeing are ignored How psychological safety enables people to speak up and solve problems The role of leaders in creating respectful, high-performing cultures Connections between caring, trust, and long-term improvement results This episode is especially relevant for leaders, coaches, and practitioners who want Lean to last—without fear, blame, or burnout.

In this short bonus episode, I’m joined by my friend and Lean Coffee Talk co-host, Jamie Flinchbaugh. We’re inviting you — our listeners and fellow continuous-improvement thinkers — to help shape upcoming conversations. We’d love to hear your questions about Lean, leadership, culture, and problem-solving. The best discussions often start with the toughest questions — the ones without neat answers. If you have something you’ve been wrestling with or want to hear us unpack together, please share it with us at:👉 https://www.leanblog.org/coffeequestions We may feature your question (and name) in a future episode — and yes, we’re doing a few Lean Coffee Talk mug giveaways for contributors ☕ Possible Question Themes Building psychological safety while still holding people accountable Making Leader Standard Work more about behavior than calendar Avoiding bureaucracy while sustaining Lean improvements Responding to mistakes with curiosity instead of blame Using data wisely: when to react, when to step back If you’ve got a question, story, or Lean challenge — send it our way. We can’t wait to explore it with you in a future episode. #Lean #Leadership #ContinuousImprovement #LeanCoffeeTalk #LeanCulture #PsychologicalSafety #MarkGraban #JamieFlinchbaugh

In this episode, Mark Graban speaks with Carlos Scholz, CEO of Catalysis, about what truly makes Lean healthcare improvement sustainable. Drawing on experience in manufacturing and healthcare, Carlos explains why humility, psychological safety, and leadership behaviors matter more than tools or events. The conversation explores how leaders can move beyond command-and-control habits, create environments where people feel safe to speak up, and build Lean management systems that develop people while improving performance. This episode is especially relevant for healthcare leaders navigating disruption, complexity, and change.

In this bonus episode of Lean Blog Interviews, host Mark Graban is joined by Geoff Neiley (chair) and Andrew Wagner (co-chair) of the Lean Product & Process Development Exchange (LPPDE). The 2025 North America Conference will be held October 27–30 in Milwaukee, bringing together Lean practitioners, leaders, and innovators to share insights on reducing waste in product development, improving collaboration, and accelerating learning cycles. Geoff and Andy share their Lean journeys, the history of LPPDE, and what attendees can expect this year. From keynote speakers to interactive sessions, they highlight why LPPDE continues to be a hub for cross-industry learning and continuous improvement. Episode Highlights What is LPPDE, and why was it founded in 2008? How Lean principles apply to product and process development The role of community and peer learning in driving improvement Geoff and Andy’s personal reflections on attending and leading LPPDE What’s in store for the Milwaukee 2025 conference 👉 Special offer: Use code LEANBLOG for 20% off registration https://lppde.org/event/lppde-north-america-2025-milwaukee/  Links & Resources 🎟️ Register for LPPDE 2025 – Use discount code LEANBLOG 🌐 Learn more about LPPDE 📚 Related episodes: [Jim Morgan on Lean Product Development] About LPPDE The Lean Product & Process Development Exchange (LPPDE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing Lean thinking in product development. Since 2008, LPPDE has hosted global conferences to connect practitioners and share practical, real-world lessons.

Episode blog post with video, transcript, and more My guest for Episode #535 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Gregg Stocker, a seasoned Lean practitioner, consultant, and author. Over the past 30+ years, Gregg has worked across industries, including oil and gas, energy services, manufacturing, and construction, guiding both independent operators and major corporations on their Lean journeys. He is the author of Profitable at Any Price: Lean Thinking for Safer, Cheaper, and More Responsible Oil and Gas Production and is revising his earlier book Avoiding the Corporate Death Spiral. In this conversation, Gregg shares his Lean origin story, which began with exposure to Dr. W. Edwards Deming's teachings in college and later expanded through hands-on work with Toyota. We discuss the importance of daily Kaizen, the influence of Deming's philosophy of profound knowledge, and why psychological safety and systems thinking are essential to effective Lean leadership. Gregg also reflects on his experiences helping organizations in high-risk industries such as oil and gas. He explains how Lean thinking can simultaneously drive improvements in safety, cost, and reliability -- showing that these are not trade-offs, but outcomes of a stronger system. Listeners will hear stories of transformation, lessons from Toyota, and practical insights on structured problem-solving, leadership behaviors, and building a culture where people feel safe speaking up. Whether you work in energy, healthcare, manufacturing, or any other sector, Gregg's insights are broadly applicable. This episode is a reminder that Lean isn't just about tools -- it's about leadership, systems thinking, and creating conditions for continuous improvement. Questions, Notes, and Highlights: How did you first get introduced to Lean and Deming? What did you learn from Toyota about shifting from TQM to daily Kaizen? How did senior leaders in your early company become engaged in Lean? What were your experiences attending Dr. Deming's four-day seminars? Which of Deming's principles do you wish leaders better understood today? How do systems thinking and psychology apply in high-risk industries like oil and gas? What are some Lean approaches to improving both safety and performance? What's the origin story behind your book Profitable at Any Price? How do oil and gas companies typically react to fluctuating prices, and how does Lean help? How has Lean adoption in oil and gas evolved over the past 15 years? When starting a Lean transformation, what should leaders do -- and avoid? How do you define better problem solving, beyond just tools and structure? What leadership behaviors help create psychological safety and encourage people to speak up? Can you tell us about your upcoming books and where your writing is headed next? This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 

What does it take for leaders to move beyond sponsoring Lean to truly sustaining it? Dale Lucht shares lessons from decades of leading and coaching Lean transformations across manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services. In this conversation, Dale reflects on common leadership mistakes, the habits that prevent organizations from plateauing, and why curiosity, visibility, and coaching matter more than tools. The discussion draws from his book Don’t Repeat Our Mistakes and offers practical guidance for executives, Lean leaders, and coaches.

In this bonus episode of Lean Blog Interviews, Mark Graban is joined by William Harvey, AME 2025 Workshop Chair (and 2026 Conference Chair), to preview the AME Annual Conference coming up in St. Louis, October 6–9, 2025. Topics We Discuss ✅ Why AME is for all continuous improvement leaders—not just manufacturing✅ The 2025 conference theme: Gateway to the Future – AI and Beyond✅ How AME is blending AI and people integration into learning and networking✅ Four key workshop tracks, including coaching, TWI, AI, and process excellence✅ Mark’s own Deming Red Bead Game & Process Behavior Charts workshop Whether you’re in healthcare, services, or manufacturing, AME offers a unique chance to learn from practitioners, connect with peers, and gain new insights into operational and leadership excellence. 🔗 Links & Resources Conference details Workshop registration Special discount code for Lean Blog listeners: NP-MARKG25 We hope to see you in St. Louis!

My guest for Episode #533 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Cheryl Jekiel, founder of the Lean Leadership Center and a longtime advocate for aligning continuous improvement with people-centered leadership. Episode page with video, transcript, and more Cheryl is the author of Lean Human Resources, and her latest book, Let Go to Lead: Six Habits for Happier, More Independent Teams (with Less Stress and More Time for Yourself), offers a practical and deeply human approach to modern leadership. With a background in HR and operations, Cheryl has spent decades helping organizations shift from hierarchical control to empowering, team-driven excellence. In this episode, Cheryl shares her "Lean origin story," which began with a broken-down Ford and a transformative experience at Sweetheart Cup, where she witnessed firsthand how Lean thinking and redefined leadership roles could enhance both performance and the quality of work life. We discuss the importance of clarity in leadership--why vague directives like "take ownership" or "be proactive" often fail without behavioral specificity--and how shifting from being the problem-solver to being the coach can help leaders reduce stress and build truly independent teams. Cheryl also highlights how many organizations discuss empowerment but lack the necessary structures or shared understanding to actually enable it. "We keep saying 'empower people,' but most organizations haven't defined what that actually means." We also explore topics like vulnerability in leadership, the power of peer support communities, and how concepts like motivational interviewing--borrowed from healthcare and addiction counseling--can help leaders foster meaningful behavior change. Cheryl makes a compelling case for leadership as a practiced skill, not a fixed trait, and she encourages organizations to treat leadership development as an ongoing discipline. Whether you're an executive, HR leader, or improvement coach, this conversation offers actionable insight into how leaders can truly "let go to lead." Questions, Notes, and Highlights: What's your Lean origin story, and how did it shape your thinking? How did your early experience at Sweetheart Cup influence your views on leadership and improvement? Did you start your career in HR, or was that a later shift? What led you to write Lean Human Resources and later start the Lean Leadership Center? What was the inspiration for your new book, Let Go to Lead? Are the six habits in your book rooted in traditional Lean leadership concepts, or do they expand on them? Why is clarity such a critical leadership skill, and why do so many leaders struggle with it? How do vague directives like "be proactive" or "take ownership" get in the way of effective leadership? What role does psychological safety play in helping teams ask clarifying questions? What's one of the habits you've found most overlooked or undervalued by leaders? Why is community and peer support so essential to leadership development? How do you help leaders embrace vulnerability in a culture that doesn't always reward it? What's the role of ongoing practice in leadership development, and why isn't it emphasized more? How does motivational interviewing relate to Lean leadership and coaching? How can leaders avoid the trap of trying to be "right" rather than being helpful? Why is "meeting people where they are" such a vital leadership practice? What advice would you give to leaders who want to let go of control without abdicating responsibility? What's the connection between letting go and reducing stress for leaders? Is there anything else you'd like to share about your book or your work? This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 

My guest for Episode #532 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Anne Frewin, a seasoned Lean leader with over 12 years of improvement experience in healthcare, laboratories, and manufacturing. Updated with the correct audio Episode page with video, transcript, and more Anne's background in finance and healthcare administration provided her with a unique entry point into Lean -- first supporting improvement efforts through data, and then stepping fully into the role of change agent. She shares the story of how a persistent mentor who always asked "why" helped her shift from just reporting metrics to developing problem-solving thinking and leading transformation efforts herself. In this conversation, Anne and I explore how Lean principles, such as respect for people, effective idea systems, and a problem-solving culture, manifest in real-world settings. She explains why she prioritizes coaching people to become relentless problem solvers and how systems like visual management and simple idea boards, when supported with good questions, can lead to safer, more efficient work. We also discuss how Lean applies differently (but effectively) across industries, the balance between improvement and documentation, and how to avoid siloed thinking when solving cross-functional challenges--especially in healthcare. "A strong idea system is the first real show of respect for people--it tells the frontline we value their insight and want them to own the solution." Anne also shares her perspective on Lean, Six Sigma, and Lean Six Sigma, offering a practical framework for how these approaches can coexist while serving different purposes. Throughout the episode, we reflect on systems thinking, psychological safety, and the importance of learning through experimentation. Whether you're in healthcare, manufacturing, or any people-centric industry, Anne's passion for leadership development and continuous improvement offers valuable insights. Questions, Notes, and Highlights: How did you first get exposed to Lean, and why did it resonate with you? Looking back, did your mentor's persistent "why" questions help develop your thinking more than if he had been directive? How would you explain the concept of a Lean operating system to an executive unfamiliar with it? What's the difference between "respecting people" and "respect for people" in your view? Can you share an example of an effective idea system that truly engages frontline staff? How do you balance employee-generated ideas with the need for leadership support and coaching? What's your approach to helping people decide whether to use a rapid improvement event, an A3, or a PDSA cycle? What are the three questions you use to evaluate whether an idea is safe to try? How do you coach teams to iterate and learn from problems when working across functional silos? Can you share a healthcare example where process mapping revealed hidden breakdowns or assumptions? How do you handle improvement suggestions that require significant changes, like IT systems or facility layout? How do you view the relationship between safety, quality, delivery, and financial performance? What's your perspective on Lean vs. Six Sigma vs. Lean Six Sigma, based on your experience? How do you see variation reduction as part of Lean, not just Six Sigma? What was it like moving from healthcare into manufacturing? What was surprisingly transferable? Did you encounter documentation or quality systems in manufacturing that got in the way of improvement? How do you deal with the extremes--either lack of standardization or over-control through documentation? What reflections do you have about the human side of improvement--what helps people succeed in these systems? This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 

In this bonus episode of Lean Blog Interviews, host Mark Graban welcomes back Patrick Adams, founder of the Lean Solutions team and author of Avoiding the Continuous Appearance Trap—a Shingo Publication Award-winning book. Patrick joins the show to preview the 2025 Lean Solutions Summit, taking place September 23–25 in Detroit, Michigan, at the Westin Detroit Airport. This year’s theme—“Catalysts of Tomorrow: Shaping Future Leaders”—focuses on equipping the next generation of Lean and continuous improvement professionals with the mindset, tools, and leadership capabilities needed to thrive. The summit will feature high-impact keynote presentations, hands-on workshops, and an all-new Executive Track designed specifically for senior leaders. Patrick and Mark discuss the keynotes from Lean legends and storytellers including Mike Rother, Tom Root of Zingerman’s, Stefan Thurner, and more. Other familiar faces in the Lean community—like Katie Anderson, Billy Taylor, and Tilo Schwarz—will return to lead breakout sessions and support the event’s popular Lean Excellence World Championship. This hands-on competition not only builds problem-solving skills but also supports a local Detroit nonprofit through real impact. Whether you're a seasoned leader or a student just beginning your Lean journey, the 2025 Lean Solutions Summit promises inspiration, actionable insights, and meaningful connections. 🌐 Learn more & register: findleansolutions.com/lean-solutions-summit

In this bonus episode of Lean Blog Interviews, host Mark Graban talks with Jared Thatcher, founder of the Global Lean Summit, to preview the upcoming event taking place September 23–25, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana. Jared shares the Summit’s origin story—from a virtual event launched during COVID lockdowns to a high-impact in-person gathering that brings together Lean leaders, practitioners, and learners from a wide range of industries. This year’s Summit includes:✅ A site visit and training day at Toyota Material Handling✅ A new healthcare track, co-hosted with Indiana University’s medical school✅ A foundational Kaizen facilitation workshop for hands-on learning✅ Free in-person access for university students✅ A 30-60-90 day virtual follow-up to help participants apply what they learned Notable speakers include Phil Wickler (GE Aerospace), Sam McPherson, Mohamed Saleh, Nick Katko, Hide Oba, and Mark Graban, among others. Whether you’re just starting your Lean journey or looking to deepen your capabilities, the Global Lean Summit is designed to foster meaningful connections, practical learning, and sustained improvement. 🌐 Learn more and register at GlobalLeanSummit.com💡 Subscribe & catch new episodes at LeanCast.org

My guest for Episode #531 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Dr. Melisa Buie, a seasoned operations and engineering leader with decades of experience in high-tech manufacturing. Episode page with video, transcript, and more Melisa has held senior roles at companies like Lam Research, Applied Materials, and Coherent, where she led large-scale Lean transformations and helped drive cultural change across global operations. With a PhD in nuclear engineering and plasma physics, Melisa brings a rare combination of technical depth and people-centered leadership to her work. In this episode, we explore Melisa’s Lean journey — from her early days in Six Sigma to becoming a global Lean leader at Coherent. She shares how her perspective shifted from project-based improvement to empowering teams with daily problem-solving skills. Melisa discusses the critical role of psychological safety in building a continuous improvement culture, and how giving people "permission to improve" must be backed by leadership behavior and support. We also touch on the challenges of applying Lean principles in complex, low-volume/high-mix manufacturing environments and why principles still matter more than tools. We also discuss Melisa’s book Problem Solving for New Engineers, written to bridge the gap between academic preparation and the real-world challenges engineers face in industry. She previews her upcoming book, Faceplant: Free Yourself from Failure’s Funk, which tackles the emotional side of failure and how we can grow through it. Whether you're a Lean leader, a coach, or an engineer just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights on leadership, learning, and making improvement accessible for everyone. Questions, Notes, and Highlights: How did you first get involved with Lean or Six Sigma? Which books influenced you early in your Lean journey? How did your company shift from project-based Six Sigma to a Lean culture? Where did the push for culture change come from—top-down or grassroots? What role did you play in leading Lean at Coherent? What does it mean to “give people permission to improve,” and why is that necessary? How do leaders create psychological safety to support continuous improvement? How did your background in nuclear engineering and plasma physics lead to a career in semiconductors and lasers? How do Lean principles apply in low-volume, high-mix environments? What inspired you to write Problem Solving for New Engineers? How does the book help bridge the gap between university labs and industry problem solving? Why is experimentation and scientific thinking often missing in workplace culture? How do you explain the value of iterative cycles like PDSA to new engineers? What is design of experiments (DOE), and how does it improve problem solving? When is it helpful to let people run experiments with predictable outcomes? How did your second book, Faceplant: Free Yourself from Failure’s Funk, come about? Why do people fear failure in personal life but accept it in professional settings? How can we reframe failure as a learning opportunity rather than something to avoid? How do you personally deal with failure and setbacks, like learning a foreign language? This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 

My guest for Episode #530 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Ken Segel, Co-Founder and Chief Relationship Officer at Value Capture. Episode page with video and more With over two decades of experience in healthcare improvement, Ken has been instrumental in guiding Value Capture's mission: helping healthcare organizations pursue habitual excellence by applying principles of safety, transparency, and systems thinking. In this episode, Ken shares lessons drawn from his unique and non-traditional journey--from public policy work in Washington, D.C. to transformative partnerships with industry icon Paul O'Neill and the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative. Ken and I explore why world-class safety, quality, and financial performance can and must co-exist, and how starting with safety unlocks powerful learning across any organization. He reflects on how Paul O'Neill inspired leaders to set seemingly audacious goals like "zero harm"--not to punish failure, but to align people around shared purpose and continuous improvement. We also discuss the importance of creating a comprehensive operating system, one that fully integrates work systems, management systems, and improvement systems--not just Lean tools or events in isolation. Listeners will learn why Ken believes deeply in the Shingo Principles, and why Value Capture remains the only Shingo Affiliate firm dedicated exclusively to healthcare. He also talks about the recent leadership transition at Value Capture, passing the CEO baton to longtime colleague Shanna Padgett. Whether you're a Lean healthcare leader or someone passionate about values-based leadership, this conversation offers rich insights into guiding with purpose, learning from failure, and building systems that support excellence for all. Ken previously appeared on My Favorite Mistake (Episode 147), where he shared a powerful story about early-career lessons in leadership and systems thinking that helped shape his path into healthcare improvement. Questions, Notes, and Highlights: Can you share your Lean origin story? (How did your unconventional path lead you into this work?) What was it like working with Paul O'Neill, and how did he influence your thinking? What was the vision and impact of the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative? Why was setting a goal of zero harm so controversial--and so powerful? How did leaders like Dr. Richard Shannon apply these principles to dramatically improve patient safety? Where do you see progress--and continued challenges--around transparency and safety sharing in healthcare? Why is safety such an effective entry point for broader transformation? How do you define a "comprehensive operating system" in a healthcare context? What's the difference between a management system and a full operating system? How can the Shingo principles support healthcare organizations on their improvement journey? What does it mean for Value Capture to be a Shingo Affiliate focused solely on healthcare? What advice would you give to a health system leader who thinks they already have a Lean system in place? Can you share the recent leadership transition news at Value Capture? This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 

Why do so many Lean transformations fail to stick—even when the tools are used correctly? In this episode, Mark Graban is joined by Scott Gauvin, CEO of Macresco and co-creator of the Respect for People Roadmap, to explore why respect must be designed into systems—not left to individual intent. Scott shares how his research into Toyota, Confucian philosophy, and real-world transformation work led to a practical, scalable approach to operationalizing respect for people. They discuss the difference between respecting people and respect for people, why respect shouldn’t have to be earned, and how organizations can build cultures that support learning, challenge, and improvement—without relying on heroic leaders. This conversation is especially relevant for leaders who want to move beyond Lean tools and build resilient cultures grounded in human dignity.

In this episode, Mark Graban talks with Mark Reich, former Toyota leader and Senior Lean Coach at the Lean Enterprise Institute, about Hoshin Kanri and what it really means to manage on purpose. Drawing on decades of experience at Toyota—including launching Lexus, leading Hoshin Kanri in North America, and supporting organizations through TSSC—Mark explains why strategy deployment is not about tools or templates, but alignment, leadership behavior, and learning. The conversation explores catchball, PDCA, psychological safety, and why Hoshin Kanri succeeds only when leaders engage people at every level.