RECENT POSTS
- Sep 24, 2018
- 9 min
The Lean Assumptions
This week I spent my time in a Master Black Belt class for training. This particular week was focused on Advanced Lean and Finance. Other...
- Aug 19, 2018
- 6 min
Being a More Human Leader
In the past two weeks I have been able to reflect more on the idea of how Lean makes us more human. The pillar of Respect can change how...
- Jul 22, 2018
- 6 min
What motivates you?
I have been working with a small team in Atlanta, GA the past couple weeks and used a lot of the skills learned from our Operational...
- May 22, 2018
- 4 min
Management of Distrust
Last week I wrote about a pretty amazing experience one of our plants had with their team. The human side of work was shown and the...
- May 12, 2018
- 4 min
The Human Side of Lean
This week was a special week in one of our plants. I received an excited text and call from one of my colleagues. "Tom, I am having an...
- May 1, 2018
- 5 min
The very simple thing that links all of Lean together
Last week I had one of those epiphany moments. You know, those "I can't believe I didn't see that before" type epiphanies. I have been...
- Apr 23, 2018
- 6 min
Model Operation or Culture, Which Comes First?
With this experience going through a cultural transformation, I have found that I've gotten into some very interesting and...
- Apr 10, 2018
- 4 min
This is the Mindset that can Change our Culture
I recently went to the LSS World Conference 2018 in Las Vegas, NV. Like most of the conferences I have been to in the past few years, the...
- Mar 18, 2018
- 4 min
Krav Maga: Lean Leadership in Action
I have had a bit of a rough week. Work has been fun, but personal things this week have left me in a bit of a knotted up state. I have...
- Mar 5, 2018
- 5 min
Learning to be Kick-ass for the Customer
I want my customers to have a kick-ass experience. When I look at my company's customer scores on Google or Yelp, I see 1, maybe 2 star...
- Feb 26, 2018
- 3 min
Leaning out the Cleaning
I hate cleaning. It's not that the cleaning part is what I hate, I hate the fact that things get so dirty so quickly and then I spend so...
- Feb 18, 2018
- 4 min
What is holding you back?
This week I was in Independence, MO working with another team in our company to help learn the skills of coaching and how to see waste...
- Jan 15, 2018
- 5 min
Coaching is difficult, but worth it
I've been working with a team of real Lean leaders helping to change culture by developing our company into a learning organization of...
- Jan 7, 2018
- 4 min
But I don't have time!
Something that has been common in my experiences talking with people who are "doing Lean Six Sigma" is the severe lack of time to do...
- Jan 2, 2018
- 5 min
It's time for some Career Resolutions 2018
Each New Year is a perfect time to reflect upon the previous year and think about the year ahead. I have spent this time to reflect upon...
- Dec 20, 2017
- 4 min
Support Others and Create New Sparks
So it's been a few weeks since I last shared my thoughts. I am currently in Los Angeles, CA helping out one of our sites during our Peak...
- Dec 4, 2017
- 7 min
It takes a spark
Sometimes all it takes is just one spark. One person to say "let's try it!" if you've got an idea, or "it's alright, what have we...
- Nov 21, 2017
- 3 min
03 | It's Up to You
It's up to you. If you want to shift your mindset, that is ultimately your choice. I cannot tell you that Lean is the way to go for you...
- Nov 13, 2017
- 6 min
Why should I trust you?
I've been having this conversation quite often lately. The idea is that for every action, for every statement, and for everything that we...
- Oct 29, 2017
- 7 min
Shift the Mindset | Lean Safety
Last week I participated in a training provided by Bob Hafey. Bob is the author of Lean Safety, Lean Safety Gemba Walks, and his most...