Embracing Lean Leadership: Key Traits That Define Leadership in the Lean Age

How can a thinking system be so exhaustively studied and still be misunderstood?

Studies show that 98% of companies that have tried to implement Lean, and copy the revered Toyota Production System fail. Failure is frequently attributed to lack of preparation of leadership, to insufficient technical knowledge, to inadequate guidance and a myriad of reasons.

Nevertheless, one common theme that is irrefutable is that those attempting to implement lean in their organization have no idea of what it will take for them to succeed. They don't know how to get prepared beforehand. They can't imagine the obstacles, the push back, the inconsistency of the leadership team and of course the unexpected circumstances that are common in business.

Although reasons for failing can be diverse, this book aims to:

• Prepare leaders and lean enthusiasts for the journey ahead. Lean is not a switch button that can be easily turned on twice.
• Check and adjust the course and speed required to successfully embrace lean.
• Demonstrate using case studies, how to avoid going in the wrong direction and making the same mistakes the majority of companies make.
• Help the reader maximize the benefits of lean while minimizing costly mistakes.
• Teach lean concepts in just enough depth to illustrate examples and serve as a reference for your lean journey.