Sweet 16 – Blog Anniversary

Another milestone. April 19th marks the 16th year publishing articles on A Lean Journey Blog.

Each year I take the opportunity to reflect. The act of "self-reflection" is called Hansei is Japanese. It is the practice of continuous improvement that consists of looking back and thinking about how a process can be improved.

First a few numbers

Since May 23, 2009 I have shared almost 2665 posts. The most popular ones are about leadership, best practices, empowerment and engagement. I shared more than 3750 tips on my Facebook site. Written/contributed to 1 book and over 15 articles. I’ve also had the pleasure of presenting at 6 conferences, doing 2 radio shows, and hosting more than a dozen webinars.

After 16 years I'd like to think this simple blog has been a success. It has been a valued contribution in the Lean Community with over 2.2 million visitors.  Many articles are frequently shared and many key word searches lead to A Lean Journey Blog. Less than 10% of the blogs I read 16 years ago (which got me started) are still publishing articles today. I get great feedback from many of you which motivates me to continue.

Top 5 posts this past year:

1)     Book Review: Flow Engineering

2)     Lean Quote: Set the Standard; Create and Live the Vision of How a Quality Leader Acts

3)     Lean Quote: The Role of Work in Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing

4)     Lean Quote: Integrity is Doing the Right Things Even When No One is Looking

5)     Lean Quote: Finding Meaning in Your Work

I am so grateful to everyone who has read my posts and/or followed this blog and my other blogs. Some of you have been with me since I began this journey.  Even though we have never met, you comment on my posts and continually send me words of encouragement.  Blogging has been a much more rewarding experience than I imagined it could be! 

I would like to thank all the visitors and contributors to A Lean Journey Blog this year and every year.  It has been a successful journey but we aren't done yet. Please, share your feedback so that A Lean Journey can be even more successful in the future.

Lean Quote: What Gets Recognized Gets Done Again, and Even Better

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"What gets measured, gets done. And what gets recognized gets done again, and even better."  — Robert Crawford

Data, metric, measures, assessments, evaluations, scorecards, progress reports… Many of us have been faced with a whole host of measurement opportunities. Seems like some of the performance measurements are moving targets that we seldom hit. Some measurement processes come and go like fog. I shared the quote from Peter Drucker last week: “What gets measured gets managed.” Are we measuring what really matters?

We should be very careful about what gets measured. Albert Einstein reportedly had a sign on his office wall that stated: “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.”

“Without a standard, there is no logical basis for making a decision or taking action,” according to Joseph Juran. As we consider what to measure, we must have a standard or a goal to attain. We must measure current performance as compared to that standard and take intelligent, consistent actions (standardized work) to eliminate problems. But what we measure must be important to both the business and those who directly and indirectly impact what is being measured. Keep in mind when something is measured but it isn’t important, it probably won’t get done.

Measure the wrong things and you will likely get the wrong behaviors. Improving performance, in most cases, means changing the behaviors of those who operate and maintain, those who budget and control, those who design and install our equipment and facilities. When we look at changing behaviors, we must always consider the people who must do things differently. Do they have the skills and ability to change? Do the rewards and recognition processes encourage and reinforce the desired behavior changes?

Robert Crawford’s quote “What gets measured, gets done. And what gets recognized gets done again, and even better.” speaks to sustainable gains in performance improvement through behavior change. We should remember that “measuring things” is not about the numbers but rather about guiding and monitoring improvement toward a measurable, observable goal. It is about understanding the cause and effects of problematic performance as well as successes and then leading human performance improvement in our organizations. It’s a known fact: Our equipment and facilities will deteriorate without proper, timely and intelligent, human intervention.

Recognized in Top 25 Leadership Blogs

Of course, no one writes these articles on these blogs for awards but occasionally you get recognition for your contributions. FeedSpot recently convened a panel to select the Top100 Leadership Blogs on the web. Chosen from the thousands of blogs on the web and ranked by relevancy, authority, social media followers & freshness.

I was ranked in the Top 25. 

A great honor.

Here are some Noteworthy Recognitions:

Who are the best quality management experts to follow? December 21,2020 #3

19 Lean Blogs for Beginners and Practitioners Worth Reading March 8, 2019 #1

Top 20 Lean Manufacturing RSS Feeds updated December 22, 2020 #3

Every Lean Enthusiast Needs To Know These 5 Blogs March 2, 2016 #2

Top 10 Posts of 2024

The end of the year is traditionally a time to look back and reflect. One way to reflect is to evaluate popular blog posts. I have been taking time to reflect on the year that was and as part of that reflection I have flipped back through the 150 blog posts I have written so far this year and compiled a list of my Top 10.

What were some of your favorite Lean posts from 2024? Any recommendations for next year?

10. Exposing The Common Myths of Standardized Work – I debunk six common myths regarding standardized work that if followed create a flawed system.

9. Insights from GE CEO Larry Culp’s Annual Report – I shared 9 lessons from Larry Culp’s, CEO of GE, who has been leading their transformation using a Lean mindset recently released annual report.

8. You Get What You Reward, Boeing’s Rewarding Safety and Quality Performance – Troubled Boeing Aircraft manufacturer changes reward system instead of basing most of white-collar employees’ bonuses on financial results, bonuses will now be based mostly on safety and quality metrics in the wake of safety issues.

7. 5 Skills for Effective Communication in Leadership – Without learning and honing these 5 communication skills being an effective leader is virtually impossible.

6. The 3 Things That Keep People Feeling Motivated At Work – I share the three main drivers of motivation according to self-determination theory — autonomy, competence, and relatedness — and I’ll provide practical ways to leverage the power of each.

5. 5 Ways to Accelerate Your Lean Roadmap - Many organizations have begun the Lean journey, and some have reported early successes while others have struggled as is usually the case with this kind of organization change as you continue your Lean journey there are 5 ways to accelerate your roadmap.

4. Standard Work Enables and Facilitates – Standard work and it’s performance measurement yields the information people need to uncover improvement opportunities, make and measure improvements, and extract learning.

3. The Role of a Lean Leader - Lean leaders have an essential role to play in lean transformations bridging a crucial divide: the gap between lean thinking and lean tools.

2. Replace your SMART goal with a PACT - Instead of SMART goals, which don’t encourage ambitious, long-term endeavors, I prefer to make a PACT with myself. which focuses on the output.

1. Advice for All on New Year’s Day - I have put together a list of good advice that I have come across over the years to consider as you go forth into another New Year.

Thanks for your continued readership in 2024. I hope you enjoy the holiday season and go on to achieve Lean success in 2025.

Obeya - Introducing The Lean War Room Article

Projects are important for generating growth for organizations. Successful projects don’t just happen; they require hard work and collaboration from both project managers and team members to ensure all tasks are completed and goals are met, on time and on budget. However, many projects ultimately fail or are abandoned because the team does not work together to achieve shared goals. To avoid this unfortunate fate, project managers can find help with visual management and the Obeya room. Creating an Obeya room is akin to creating a “war room,” a command center that draws together leaders from across departments in an organization.

I recently authored this article “Obeya - Introducing The Lean War Room” for Quality Magazine which helps you understand the process behind the Obeya room, how to use the room efficiently, the benefits of one, and virtual Obeya Rooms.

You can learn more by reading the full article here:

https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/98010-obeya-introducing-the-lean-war-room

15 Year Blog Anniversary

Exciting news! I’m celebrating 15 years of blogging this month. I launched, A Lean Journey in 2009 as a resourceful outlet to share lessons and experiences regarding Lean thinking, improvement practices, and leadership.

At the time, I knew nothing about blogging, the implications of choosing a catchy name, or how to develop a following. I opened an account on Blogger.com, uploaded the photo above to my profile page, and started to blog. I shared my perspective of Lean and chronicled my own “Lean Journey in the Quest for True North." Slowly, I even learned the basics of HTML, which was essential at the time.

Here are links to the first few posts, one to introduce the blog, the next one on DOWNTIME and the Eight Wastes, and the first Lean Quote.

Each year I take the opportunity to reflect. The act of "self-reflection" is called Hansei is Japanese. It is the practice of continuous improvement that consists of looking back and thinking about how a process can be improved.

First a few numbers

Since May 23, 2009 I have shared almost 2530 posts. The most popular ones are about leadership, best practices, empowerment and engagement. I shared more than 3500 tips on my Facebook site. Written/contributed to 1 book and over 12 articles. I’ve also had the pleasure of presenting at 6 conferences, doing 2 radio shows, and hosting more than a dozen webinars.

After 15 years I'd like to think this simple blog has been a success. It has been a valued contribution in the Lean Community with over 2.1 million visitors.  Many articles are frequently shared and many key word searches lead to A Lean Journey Blog. Less than 10% of the blogs I read 15 years ago (which got me started) are still publishing articles today. I get great feedback from many of you which motivates me to continue.

What have I learned? 

Blogging helped learn more and make great connections. This space allowed me to explore/express my own learning, experiment with best practices, and share this with all of you. This has been a tremendous learning process both from the great fans and other colleagues online that I exchange with as well as the process of distilling my own learning with you. I've been fortunate to meet so many great people from experts to layman (like myself) along the way who've taught me so much. These connections have led to great opportunities to write articles and books, present at conferences, and even a number of career roles.

I still can't even believe it’s been FIFTEEN YEARS! That is crazy. I had no idea then what I was getting into or that I'd still be doing this 15 years later.  Frankly, I wasn't sure anyone would read what I wrote never mind find value in it. It truly has been a wonderful experience and full of opportunities.

Thanks all the visitors and contributors to A Lean Journey Blog who make this such a successful journey. 

Top 10 Lean Quotes from 2023

10 Inspirational Lean Quotes to Reflect On During Your Lean Journey

Throughout our lives, we encounter individuals who leave lasting impressions with their words of wisdom. These moments often become turning points—encouraging reflection, growth, and action. In the world of Lean, active learning is a vital part of the journey. Without learning, there is no improvement. Without reflection, there is no direction.

Whether you're just starting or deep into your Lean transformation, these inspirational Lean quotes offer more than motivation—they provide real insights aligned with daily Lean manufacturing tips, Lean process improvement tips, and the mindset needed for sustainable change.

Here are 10 powerful quotes featured on A Lean Journey in 2023, paired with practical takeaways for implementing Lean thinking on the shop floor.

10. "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily."

— Zig Ziglar

Lean takeaway: Motivation must be renewed daily. Just like continuous improvement, momentum in Lean is built with consistent habits. Use this quote as a reminder to integrate daily Lean manufacturing tips into your team's routines—morning huddles, quick kaizen actions, or visual management updates.

9. "My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person—he believed in me."

— Jim Valvano

Lean takeaway: Empowerment is at the heart of Lean leadership. Trusting your team and believing in their potential is one of the most practical Lean ideas for the shop floor. Great leaders coach and mentor—creating a culture where people can grow and contribute meaningfully.

8. "At the end of the day, how we spend our days on average is how we live our lives."

— Dr. Ashley Whillans, Harvard Business School

Lean takeaway: Lean is a way of life, not a project. The small, daily actions you take reflect the culture you're building. Focus on Lean Six Sigma tips for success by standardizing meaningful activities that support learning, flow, and problem-solving.

7. "Change is inevitable. Change is constant."

— Benjamin Disraeli

Lean takeaway: Lean thrives on change. Rather than resist it, embrace it with tools like PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) and daily Gemba walks. If you're looking for quick Lean implementation tips, start by creating systems that adapt quickly to problems and insights.

6. "There isn’t time—so brief is life—for bickerings, apologies, heartburnings, callings to account. There is only time for loving—and but an instant, so to speak, for that."

— Mark Twain

Lean takeaway: Time is one of the most precious resources. Lean teaches us to eliminate waste—not only in processes but also in communication. Focus on respect for people and create smoother interactions. This is a subtle but powerful piece of Lean process improvement advice.

5. "The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership."

— Harvey Firestone

Lean takeaway: Lean leaders develop people before they develop processes. This quote perfectly captures the essence of Lean leadership quotes. Use coaching kata and A3 thinking to build capability within your team.

4. "What you permit, you promote. What you allow, you encourage. What you condone, you own. What you tolerate, you deserve."

— Michelle Malkin

Lean takeaway: Culture is shaped by the standards you set—and enforce. If you're serious about Lean, this is one of the best Lean thinking quotes to post in your production area. Make clear what behaviors are aligned with Lean, and take action when they’re not.

3. "To be doing good deeds is man's most glorious task."

— Sophocles

Lean takeaway: Acts of improvement are acts of service. Every small win—whether solving a downtime issue or reducing setup time—serves both the customer and the team. Celebrate these efforts as meaningful contributions.

2. "If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."

— Anne Bradstreet

Lean takeaway: Every failure is a learning opportunity. Lean thinking recognizes that problems are treasures. For teams seeking Lean Six Sigma tips for success, this quote encourages you to embrace adversity as fuel for progress.

1. "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

— Maya Angelou

Lean takeaway: Respect for people is the foundation of Lean. This quote, often cited among famous Lean manufacturing quotes, is a powerful reminder that culture isn't built on process charts—it's built on how people treat one another.

Final Thoughts: Reflect, Learn, and Lead

Incorporating Lean thinking quotes into your daily leadership practice can be a powerful way to inspire action and reflection. Whether you're delivering a morning meeting, guiding a kaizen event, or mentoring a new team member, words carry weight.

Lean isn’t just about metrics—it’s about people, mindset, and shared purpose. As you continue on your Lean journey, revisit these motivational quotes and let them guide your actions, shape your decisions, and uplift your team.

Need help turning inspiration into action? Start with practical Lean ideas for the shop floor—like 5S audits, visual controls, or problem-solving boards—and watch the transformation unfold.