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PODCAST

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking, Psychological Safety, and Continuous Improvement

Lean Blog Audio is a short-form podcast featuring audio versions of articles from LeanBlog.org, written, read, and expanded by Mark Graban. Each episode explores practical Lean thinking, psychological safety, continuous improvement, and leadership—through real-world examples from healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and other complex work environments. Topics include learning from mistakes, reducing fear and blame, improving systems, and using data thoughtfully through tools like Process Behavior

business management & marketing

All Episodes

00:11:36

Five NUMMI Tour Lessons That Still Define Lean Thinking

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/12/17

The blog postIn this episode, Mark reflects on a visit he made twenty years ago to the NUMMI plant in Fremont, California — the Toyota-GM joint venture that became legendary in Lean circles. What stayed with him wasn’t flashy tools or so-called Lean perfection, but a series of small, human moments that revealed how Lean actually works as a management system.Through six short stories — a broken escalator, aluminum foil, an explanatory safety sign, a pull-based gift shop, imperfect 5S, and visible

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00:04:28

‘The Rock’ Says Getting Lean is Something Anybody Can...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/12/11

The blog postDwayne “The Rock” Johnson once joked that his incredible physical transformation came from one simple routine: working out six hours a day, every day, for twenty years. In this episode, Mark explores why that line from Central Intelligence mirrors how organizations misunderstand Lean. Many admire the “after” picture of Toyota, ThedaCare, or Franciscan St. Francis Health, but far fewer commit to the steady, everyday habits that make those results possible.This short reflection looks at

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00:12:08

5 Big Lean Questions with Mark Graban: Purpose,...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/12/09

The blog postIn this episode, Mark Graban flips roles and becomes the guest—answering five core Lean questions posed by longtime Lean thinker Tim McMahon of the A Lean Journey blog. These questions have been answered by many practitioners over the years, and they cut straight to the purpose, the misconceptions, and the future of Lean.Mark shares how he first encountered Lean as an industrial engineering student, and how the system came alive when he worked inside the GM Livonia Engine Plant under a

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00:08:19

GE’s Larry Culp: Why Lean Thinking Starts with Safety...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/11/21

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

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00:06:48

Ghosts, Zombies, and Frankenstein Processes: A Lean...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/10/31

The blog postHalloween might be about ghosts, zombies, and monsters -- but those same creatures sometimes show up in our organizations all year long. They lurk in old processes, mindless routines, and fear-based management habits. Here's how to spot the spooky stuff in your systems -- and how Lean thinking helps us drive the fear out of improvement.Halloween monsters are fun when they stay in movies. They're less fun when they show up in your workplace.Ghosts of outdated processes.Zombie

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00:13:12

Leader Standard Work Is About Behavior, Not Just Your...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/10/30

The blog postToo many organizations treat Leader Standard Work (LSW) as a scheduling tool — a calendar filled with Gemba walks, meetings, and routines. But Lean leadership isn’t about how you plan your time — it’s about how you show up.In this episode, Mark reads and reflects on his LeanBlog.org article, “Leader Standard Work Is About Behavior, Not Just Your Calendar.” He explores what it means to make leadership a daily practice of intentional behaviors — listening, asking, thanking, reflecting —

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00:05:52

Coaching vs. Berating: Lessons from Football for...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/10/28

In this episode, I revisit a classic post—Coaching vs. Berating: Lessons from Football for Better Leadership. ⁠The blog post⁠With Brian Kelly recently fired as LSU’s head coach, it’s worth contrasting his sideline outbursts with the calmer, teaching-oriented approach of Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald. Years ago, Kelly’s tirades at Notre Dame raised questions about what real coaching looks like—and those questions still matter today. Whether it’s football or the workplace, leaders who coach build

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00:07:33

Almost 17 Years Later: Reflections on Lean Hospitals...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/08/22

The blog postIt's hard to believe, but it's been almost 17 years since the first edition of Lean Hospitals was published–an effort that eventually received the Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award and has since reached tens of thousands of healthcare professionals around the world.When I wrote that first edition, Lean in healthcare was still new territory. Many leaders were still asking, “Will Lean work in healthcare?” Today, the better question is “How can we make it work–and

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00:08:31

Kakorrhaphiophobia: How Fear of Failure Sabotages...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/07/29

Read the blog postWhen I first came across the word kakorrhaphiophobia, I thought it might be one of those obscure terms you learn once and never use again.But the meaning stopped me in my tracks:an irrational, intense fear of failure or defeat.It turns out, this fear is more common–and more consequential–than we might admit, especially in workplaces that say they support continuous improvement but don't act in ways that support it.

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00:02:30

A Free Resource for Leaders: The Mistake-Smart...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/05/27

Read the blog postWe all say mistakes are a part of learning. Or at least many of us do, as individuals.But how many organizations actually act that way?Too often, people are punished for systemic errors. So, problems get hidden.When problems are discovered, blame is assigned instead of learning being shared. And we wonder why our teams hesitate to speak up.That's why I created a simple new resource:The Mistake-Smart Leader's Checklist[Download it here]

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00:04:11

Update on my June 17th Workshop: Improving the Way We...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/05/19

The blog postAre your improvement efforts falling flat, or are you constantly chasing red dots? Are you interested in improving the way we improve?I've had to re-tool my Cincinnati workshop (June 17th) since my collaboration partner is now, unfortunately, unable to make it.Join me for a practical and thought-provoking day exploring two essential foundations for sustainable performance: psychological safety and modern leadership metrics.LEARN MORE AND REGISTERIn the morning, we'll explore how

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00:03:19

Psychological Safety: You get your say, not always...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/05/17

The blog postThere's a phrase I've been thinking about a lot lately:"You get your say, not always your way."It's a short sentence, but it says a lot. It's about voice, it's about respect, and it's about the kind of culture we're building--especially when we aim for continuous improvement.In The Mistakes That Make Us, I wrote about the characteristics of learning organizations. One of the most important is encouraging people to speak up--not just about mistakes, but also about ideas, concerns, and

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00:05:59

Join Me in Japan: A Lean Healthcare Accelerator...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/05/14

Read the blog postSince 2012, I've had the opportunity to visit Japan six times, each trip a deep learning experience–rich with lessons about Lean, Kaizen, leadership, culture, and continuous improvement.This June, I'm heading back for my seventh visit–and what makes this one especially exciting is that it will be my fifth trip focused on Lean in healthcare… and the first that I've helped design from the ground up.It's my first trip in this format, but I was invited to partner up

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00:06:02

Safety First: GE Aerospace’s Lynn Facility...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/01/21

Episode pageAt its core, Lean is about people–respecting them, empowering them, and ensuring their well-being while driving continuous improvement. Recently, GE Aerospace's Lynn, MA, facility provided an inspiring example of what it means to put these principles into action, even under challenging circumstances. Read more about this and/or watch a video at this link: Keep the Line Moving: GE Aerospace's Lynn Facility Is Using FLIGHT DECK to Put Safety First

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00:11:39

Starting the New Year with Global Leadership...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2025/01/06

Read the blog postDuring Katie Anderson‘s #JapanStudyTrip this past November, a participant shared an observation with me that resonated deeply: “The biggest challenge is our blame culture. It's easier for people to do nothing because they don't get in trouble. But if they make a mistake, they get punished. And our company is successful enough that there's not a compelling reason for top leaders to change the culture.” This isn't a story from the U.S., but the feeling is universal. A workplace

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00:06:12

Lost My iPhone in Tokyo: A Lesson in Japanese...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2024/12/10

Read the blog post: https://www.leanblog.org/2024/11/lost-iphone-japan-taxi-tokyo-kindness-culture/I'm thrilled to be back in Japan for the first time in five years. Today is the start of Katie Anderson's Japan Study Trip (learn more about joining her in May 2025). It's great to be here for another week of learning and great experiences. Little did I know, I'd kick off the trip by nearly losing my iPhone on the streets of Tokyo–a mistake that ended up teaching me a valuable lesson about Japan's

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00:04:05

Ten Years Ago -- In the News Visiting a Japanese Lean...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2024/12/05

The blog postJust over a week ago, I got back from Katie Anderson's Japan Study Trip. It was amazing! I have so much to write about and share. But first, Facebook reminded me of something from exactly ten years ago–the second time I visited Japan with the Kaizen Institute. I asked 2024 ChatGPT to translate this 2014 news story that's pictured below (with me sitting there and taking notes in the front row of the meeting room). See the English text below the image: --- Support this podcast:

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00:07:19

Surveying the Lean Global Connection Audience on...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2024/12/03

The blog post: https://www.leanblog.org/2024/11/surveying-the-lean-global-connection-audience-on-barriers-to-speaking-up/ At yesterday's Lean Global Connection event, I posed a straightforward yet revealing question to the audience: “What keeps you from speaking up at work?” The responses illustrated two of the common barriers. I posed the survey options based on the research of Prof. Ethan Burris, from the University of Texas at Austin, who has found that fear and futility are the top two reasons

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00:08:01

Just Call it “5S Six Sigma” Instead of “Lean Sigma”...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2024/10/29

Blog postMy whole career, I have worked with the Lean methodology (aka the Toyota Production System). I've just really never done much with Six Sigma. I've read about Six Sigma. I took a Green Belt course when I worked at Dell in the late 90s. I've studied and used statistical methods (especially what I learned in my Industrial Engineering studies and at MIT), but I've never done anything I would call Six Sigma in my career. I have respect for Six Sigma as a discipline, just as if I were a chef, I

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00:07:19

Lean Failure Explained: When Command-and-Control...

Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking,... ·

2024/10/24

How Often Does This Happen? Read the blog post It's a story I've heard too many times. An organization spends years, even decades, entrenched in a top-down, command-and-control culture. In this environment, employees are micromanaged, decision-making is reserved for those at the top, and when things go wrong, the finger-pointing begins. “Blame and shame” becomes the norm. Then, someone decides, “We're going to get Lean.” On the surface, this should be great news. Lean offers proven strategies to

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40 results

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