Kakorrhaphiophobia: How Fear of Failure Sabotages Continuous Improvement and Innovation
Read the blog postWhen I first came across the word kakorrhaphiophobia, I thought it might be one of those obscure terms you learn once and never use again.But the meaning stopped me in my tracks:an i...
29 Jul 20258min
Kaiteki: The Japanese Philosophy Behind Motivated Employees and Lean Success
Episode page with links and moreDuring my most recent visit to Japan (as part of a tour hosted by Katie Anderson), we spent time in several remarkable organizations where the focus wasn't just on perf...
24 Jul 20254min
How Safe is it to Admit a Mistake at Work? [Poll]
Episode page with survey results and moreWhen someone on your team makes a mistake, what happens next?Do they speak up–or stay quiet?Do leaders give feedback that demonstrates curiosity–or do they bla...
16 Jun 20254min
Excited to Facilitate a Workshop at AME 2025: Deming, Red Beads & Process Behavior Charts
The blog postI'm honored to share that my workshop, "The Deming Red Bead Game & Process Behavior Charts: Practical Applications for Lean Management," has been accepted for the 41st Annual Internationa...
29 Mai 20255min
A Free Resource for Leaders: The Mistake-Smart Leader's Checklist
Read the blog postWe all say mistakes are a part of learning. Or at least many of us do, as individuals.But how many organizations actually act that way?Too often, people are punished for systemic err...
27 Mai 20252min
40 Years Ago: Just for the Mistake of It… New Coke!
The blog postThanks to NPR for their recent story about how today, April 23, 2025, marks the 40th anniversary of what is considered one of the biggest business or product marketing failures of my life...
22 Mai 20256min
Update on my June 17th Workshop: Improving the Way We Improve (Cincinnati)
The blog postAre your improvement efforts falling flat, or are you constantly chasing red dots? Are you interested in improving the way we improve?I've had to re-tool my Cincinnati workshop (June 17th...
19 Mai 20254min
Psychological Safety: You get your say, not always your way.
The blog postThere's a phrase I've been thinking about a lot lately:"You get your say, not always your way."It's a short sentence, but it says a lot. It's about voice, it's about respect, and it's abo...
17 Mai 20253min
