Lean Quote: The Power of Reflection in Leadership
- Leadership, Lean Quote
- January 2, 2026

Today I am pleased to introduce a guest post by Samantha McCollough. Samantha is Director of Public Relations at iDatix, an award-winning leader in enterprise content management and business automation solutions. When not writing, she enjoys Scuba Diving, spending time with her dogs and painting. Follow her on Twitter to see her daily antics @smccollo. Lean
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To reduce ambiguity and misinterpretation during the planning phase of Hoshin Kanri management uses a fact-based inter-level negotiation process known as “Catchball”. The word “catchball” denotes a simple social game in Japan in which a circle of young children throw a baseball back and forth. It metaphorically describes a participative process that uses iterative planning
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If management by objectives is so deficient in communicating direction and ensuring cross-functional coordination, then how can managers develop, communicate, and monitor their corporate road maps? The answer is to find an alternative management methodology to disseminate and implement strategic policy in a turbulent operating environment. Such a planning process already exists. The Japanese call
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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
READ MOREIn 5S there is a saying “A place for everything and everything in it’s place.” 5S is a technique that results in a well-organized workplace complete with visual controls and order. 5S produces an environment that’s clean, uncluttered, safe and organized. People become empowered, engaged and spirited. A shadow board is a device used in
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Last, Friday in the Lean Quote I introduce a “Big Hairy Audacious Goal”. Remember, a BHAG is different from traditional organizational goals and objectives in that they are way bigger. James Collins and Jerry Porras suggest that a good BHAG has four qualities: Aligned. Properly set goals can be transformational if they’re tied closely to
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