Leadership Archives - aleanjourney

Why Do People Become Kaizen Killers?0
- Culture, kaizen, Leadership
- November 11, 2026
In Part 1, we looked at the different types of Kaizen Killers and the behaviors that can undermine continuous improvement. It is easy to point the finger and say, “We’ve got a negative person on the team.” But Lean thinking should make us pause before jumping to that conclusion. Why did this person become a
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What Do You Do with a Kaizen Killer?0
- Culture, kaizen, Leadership
- November 9, 2026
You have just finished a Kaizen event. The team identified several opportunities for improvement, came up with some creative ideas, and is excited about the changes they want to make. Then someone speaks up. “We tried that before.” “It will never work here.” “Management won’t go for it.” “That’s not how we do things.” “Why
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10 Hacks Every Lean Manager Should Know 1
- Leadership, Lean Management
- November 4, 2026
Lean management isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating the conditions where the best work can happen. Yet many Lean managers find themselves overwhelmed, reacting to problems instead of leading improvement, and stuck translating Lean theory into daily practice. The good news? Small shifts in how you lead can create outsized impact. These
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Why Fewer People Want to Lead — And What Lean Organizations Must Learn From It 0
- Culture, Leadership, Respect For People, Safety
- October 21, 2026
For decades, leadership was viewed as the natural next step in career growth. Moving into management meant greater influence, greater responsibility, and often greater fulfillment. Today, that perception is changing. New research from Safety Culture suggests leadership roles are losing their appeal, especially among younger workers. According to their recent findings: 62% of managers say
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What I Learned at the Northeast Lean Conference: People, AI, and the Future of Continuous Improvement 0
- AI, Conference, Leadership, Lean Management
- October 5, 2026
The Northeast Lean Conference brought together Lean practitioners, leaders, and improvement professionals to explore the theme “People & AI: The Future of Continuous Improvement.” Hosted by the Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership (GBMP), the conference explored how organizations can combine Lean thinking, people development, and artificial intelligence to improve the way work gets done. As someone
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Lean Quote: Who is the Real Expert?0
- Empowerment, Leadership, Lean Quote, Respect For People
- October 2, 2026
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
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