A selection of highlighted blog posts from Lean
bloggers from the month of February 2021. 
You can also view the previous monthly Lean Roundups here.

Lean and Learning – Bob Emliani
discusses the dilemma that those who preside over institutions devoted to the
pursuit of knowledge and truth are led by people who don’t have as much
interest or experience in that.

Where Lean Has Gone
Wrong & What to Do About It, Part 1 & Part 2 – Pascal Dennis
shares a few thoughts where in his opinion Lean has failed.

Pay Attention to the
Trenches, Not the Stars – Dan Markovitz reflects on the
Super Bowl with a lesson for leaders: Pay attention to the trenches, that’s
where the game is won or lost.

“A3” is an Obligation
for the Coach – Mark Rosenthal says that what makes the A3 process work
is the continuous interaction between the problem solver and the coach.

Conversations About
Enterprise Excellence, “Humane Management,” and Mistakes – Mark Graban
shares two interviews and discussions – one on “Humane Management” and one on
enterprise excellence.

Leadership Tip #2: Do
the Right Thing, Even When it Feels Uncomfortable – Johanna Rothman
discussed the importance of leaders as much as they can, use your values to do
the right thing.

The Continuous
Improvement Apple Tree – Jon Miller uses the metaphor of
the apple trees to explain the relationship between various continuous
improvement methods or tools and types of challenge.

Lean Thinking: A
Flashlight, Mirror, and Sandpaper – Ron Pereira shares parallel from a
bible podcast where like the bible Lean can act as a flashlight showing you the
way forward, it can behave like a mirror allowing you to examine your own life
and sever as sandpaper to clean up any rough edges.

Eliminating Waste from
Product Development – Jamie Flinchbaugh explains the tremendous gains in
product development can be achieved if all of those involved in the work have a
shared interest in the identification and elimination of waste.

Five Helpful Favorite
Phrases for Continuous Improvement Beginners – Jon Miller shares
5 ideas to get you started on your continuous improvement journey.

Ohno’s Theory of
Nonproductivity – Bob Emiliani discusses why so many leaders benefit from
nonproductivity and why it’s a constraint to progress.

Ask Art: What is the Walk of Shame, and Why Is It
Effective? – Art Byrne suggests that you take your team on a walk of
shame, ask serious questions about what you are seeing at every stop and if done
correctly can change people’s opinions.

Why it’s Better to
Focus on Value, Not Waste – Katrina Appell says while nobody
wants waste in their value stream, it would be better to focus on increasing
value.

How Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr.’s Teaching Embodies Lean Thinking – Christopher D. Chapman
explains lean and the similarities with Dr. King’s leadership and thinking.

The Toyota Way and
Toyota Kata: How Do They Fit? – Jeffrey Liker clear up some
confusion about the relationship between the Toyota Way and Toyota Kata.