A selection of highlighted blog posts from Lean bloggers from the month of March 2023.  You can also view the previous monthly Lean Roundups here.   Author Interview with Jim Benson- Katie Anderson talks with Jim Benson regarding his latest book, The Collaboration Equation: Strong Professionals Strong Teams Strong Delivery.   Too Often, Power Means the Power to Do Stupid Things - Pascal Dennis talks about different types of leaders and companies need to recruit capable servant leaders.   Push The Cart - Bruce Hamilton discusses the irony he feels regarding the ..read more

For my Facebook fans you already know about this great feature. But for those of you that are not connected to A Lean Journey on Facebook or Twitter I post daily a feature I call Lean Tips.  It is meant to be advice, things I learned from experience, and some knowledge tidbits about Lean to help you along your journey.  Another great reason to like A Lean Journey on Facebook. Click this link for A Lean Journey's Facebook Page Notes Feed. Here is the next addition of tips from the Facebook page: Lean Tip #3226 – Don’t Make Perfection the Goal One of the hardest parts of using t ..read more

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. "The checklist is one of the most high powered productivity tool ever discovered."   —  Brian Tracy You might not think that checklists have a role in the workplace. Often used for simple tasks like creating a grocery ..read more

Positive work environments bring out the best in employees. They not only help them work safely and effectively, but they also promote mental wellness. But toxic workplaces are certainly like cancer. They deplete work energy, cause division, and hinder organizational progress. Unfortunately, many modern workplaces are like that. They are filled with nepotism, and unsupportive work measures and besides that, they hamper employee development.  A positive work environment can make a huge difference in an organization. It not only reduces employee attrition, and absenteeism, but also improve ..read more

Image Source: Unsplash Burnout is an unfortunate reality for many business leaders and their teams. We’re living in a time of high stress in the workplace, with nearly 3 in 5 employees saying they have experienced negative impacts of workplace stress in the last month. If you’re a leader at your company, burnout can wreak havoc on your team. You might be used to powering through projects to meet deadlines and reach your goals, but you could be doing more harm than good to yourself and those who work for you. As a leader, pushing yourself too hard can make you more indecisive and l ..read more

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. "I say luck is when an opportunity comes along and you're prepared for it."   —  Denzel Washington It’s often said that some people get lucky in life or just by sheer good luck they land at the right place at the right ..read more

Admit it or not, all companies face challenges. In today's competitive market, Lean is turning out to be "the solution" to manufacturing industries across the spectrum for survival and success. Lean manufacturing helps organizations to achieve targeted productivity and more by introduction of easy-to-apply and maintainable techniques and tools. Its focus on waste reduction and elimination enables it to be engrained into organization culture and turns every process into a profit center. In a nutshell, lean manufacturing is all about driving toward achieving profitability and productivity thr ..read more

In order to achieve great results, you should be constantly thinking about how you can motivate and inspire your team. The ultimate throttle on the growth of a company is the people so keep raising their inspiration and motivation levels. This will ensure a happy energized team always delivering great output. Here are some ideas to consider: Set the example Of course, as a leader it is your responsibility to set the example for your team to follow.  The way you treat everyone is the way your team will treat their direct reports. Attitude is contagious so as a leader you want to set an ..read more

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. "March is a month of expectation."   —  Emily Dickinson March gets a lot of hype. More sunlight. More green. A more perfect breeze begins to blow. The ground begins to warm. Perhaps we smile more because we have gotten ..read more

Whether you’re managing a two-person operation or a department of 100, it’s nearly impossible for your organization to grow and move on to the next chapter of success if your whole team isn’t on the same page. Teams are at their best when they work cohesively and rally around shared goals. Alignment in the workplace occurs when all team members have a better understanding of company goals and have a clear vision for collective (and individual) long-term success. It isn’t enough to know the end destination; you need to all be rowing in the same direction. Here are five ways to help encourage ..read more