by Patrick Adams | Dec 7, 2024 | Articles, Lean Leadership
Years ago, I led a team at a manufacturing plant facing rising costs and the persistent challenge of sustaining improvements over time. We were using outdated processes that led to recurring inefficiencies, and previous improvement efforts had faded into “flavor...
by Patrick Adams | Nov 29, 2024 | Articles, Culture & Engagement, Lean Leadership, Learning
Gratitude is a practice that has profoundly shaped my life, both personally and professionally. As a business owner, leader, and continuous improvement practitioner, I’ve learned that gratitude isn’t just a mindset—it’s a cornerstone for building resilient teams and...
by Patrick Adams | Nov 23, 2024 | Articles, Culture & Engagement
As a lean practitioner, coach, and consultant, I’ve seen the incredible impact of kaizen—a concept at the heart of lean thinking. But I’ve also noticed that the way we talk about it can sometimes feel intimidating, especially for those outside traditional industries...
by Patrick Adams | Nov 3, 2024 | Articles, Culture & Engagement, Lean Leadership
I recently ventured deep into the Colorado backcountry on an elk hunting expedition. The experience challenged me, sharpened my instincts, and provided valuable insights that echo the lean principles I apply in my personal and professional work. The parallels between...
by Patrick Adams | Oct 18, 2024 | Articles, Lean Leadership
In “The Courage to Be Disliked” by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga, the authors dive into the philosophy of Alfred Adler, encouraging a radical mindset shift that can help leaders break free from fear and self-limiting beliefs. Let me share my personal...
by Patrick Adams | Oct 11, 2024 | Articles, Lean Leadership
Quantico, Virginia: The United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (OCS). I had spent four years as an enlisted Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During my time, I worked my way up to Sergeant and was then selected to become a commissioned...
