2017 has seen another terrific year of content on the Lean Post. Over the past 12 months we’ve released dozens of articles on the latest news, research, stories and tips from all of you, the members of the lean community. Today we share the top 10 most popular.
Do you have any favorites that didn’t make the top 10? Let us know your other favorites in a comment and we’ll let the author know!
- Lean in One Drawing, by Dave LaHote
LEI faculty member, Dave LaHote, shares his concept of thinking about lean as a system, demonstrating the linkage between lean tools and how the system can create organizational advantage.
- Six Personal Kanban Habits to Avoid, by Jim Benson
Jim Benson, kanban specialist, shares the six most common mistakes found on kanban boards.
- Lean Transformation: “Shock and Awe” vs. “Slow and Grow”, by Art Byrne and Dan Markovitz
When leading a lean transformation, is it better to use the “shock and awe” method or the “low and slow” method? It may not even be that simple. Dan Markowitz and Art Byrne discuss.
- 7 Things Coaches Need to Get Over, by Mike Orzen
“Over the years, I have noticed some common misperceptions about coaching effective problem solving skills and developing lean thinking,” writes Mike Orzen. Read more to learn seven of them and improve your coaching practice.
- What Too Many Lean Leaders Forget about Gemba Walks, by Darren Walsh
Lean Coach Darren Walsh of the UK’s Lean Enterprise Academy has seen many lean leaders make a troubling, yet highly avoidable, mistake on their gemba walks. Are you making that same mistake? Read his article and find out what it is and how to avoid it!
- Ask Art: Why do so few companies that implement lean do it successfully? by Art Byrne
We’ve all heard the stories of failed lean implementations, as well as the hotly debated question of “Why did it fail?” In his many years as a lean leader, Art Byrne has seen quite a few possible reasons for a lean failure – read more.
- Yes, Lean is a Strategy!!! by Orest Fiume
Is lean a strategy? Absolutely YES, says lean author and thinker Orry Fiume. Replying to feedback on his new book, Orry says that strategy is about deciding how to win; and lean is about how to win with a focus on both creating more value for your customers and doing so with the best utilization of the resources at hand, i.e. with the least amount of waste.
- 3 Interview Questions to Gauge Candidates’ Problem-Solving Capacity, by Derrick Redding
It’s always great to promote from within when trying to fill lean leadership roles. But what if you have to fill the positions using external candidates? Lean veteran Derrick Redding shares some strategies he uses to assess candidates’ match for a problem-solving culture.
- Advice from the Gemba: Top Mistakes Lean Leaders Make I, by Alice Lee, Jim Luckman and Sammy Obara
Making mistakes is a natural part of lean thinking and practice. Here, three LEI faculty members share some common, yet easily avoidable mistakes made by lean leaders, as well as the countermeasures that can help resolve them.
- Creating Trust: The Role of the Supervisor as Coach, by Dave LaHote
“Organizationally, I believe that the coaching role needs to be fulfilled by the supervisor,” writes Dave LaHote. But all too often, LaHote sees a misconception in this role that can undermine a coaching relationship. Watch his animated video to learn more.
Editor’s Note: The Lean Post will be taking its annual holiday break through the rest of December. Join us in the New Year for more insightful content from the lean community.
