Transition Versus Change – 2013

The time between Christmas and New Year’s eve is one of transition as we consider the events that occurred over the past year and prepare for the new year ahead. Experts are sure to present their annual summaries and will also attempt to “predict” what may be in store for us in the year to come. As lean leaders we […]

Decisions: From Crisis and Chaos to Calm

How is it that some leaders have a way to bring calm to crisis, chaos, and conflict, weeding out fact from fiction, and somehow setting the path straight for others to follow? The answer is quite simple, they have the tools and ability to make effective decisions efficiently. I recognize that very few, if any, problems can truly be solved […]

Transparency – Is There An App For That?

Trust lies on the threshold of transparency. As leaders we are cognizant of the perceptions created by our words and actions beginning with the very vision that inspires them. We continually aspire to earn the trust and respect of those who choose to pursue the vision with us. We also recognize that we may quickly undermine those efforts and lose […]

Apple’s Best Kept Secrets … May Be Their Worst Enemy

One of the roles of leadership is to instill and foster a culture that embraces change and empowers the team to improve. This call for change is also echoed in the Plan-Do-Check-Act or PDCA cycle that serves as a typical model for driving continuous improvement in many organizations. In this regard, Apple has clearly demonstrated their commitment to develop and improve their existing […]

Time Flies When You’re Having Fun

It’s hard to believe that four years have passed since we started blogging here on WordPress! We would like to thank our many subscribers and visitors for your many e-mails and comments, making this a fulfilling learning experience for all of us. This blog was originally founded on the premise that very little information was available on the topic of […]

Problem Solving: Take People Out To Keep Them In

Hindsight If only I knew then what I know now, things would be different and, as the expression goes, “Hindsight is 20/20”. The problem? Very few leaders and teams take advantage of “hindsight” to discover the valuable lessons that can be learned from both successes and failures. Following an event, it is important to take the time to reflect and […]

A Lesson in Lean Over a Long Holiday Weekend

What? Another long weekend? That’s right! The first Monday of August is a civic holiday here in Ontario, Canada. However, if you ask people what we’re supposed to be celebrating you may be surprised by the vast array of answers – including “I don’t know.” Some of the confusion begins with its declaration – the provincial government has not defined […]

Steven R Covey – Rest in Peace

My condolences to the family and friends of Steven R. Covey, a world renowned leadership authority and author of many highly acclaimed books including “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, “Principle Centered Leadership”, “The 8th Habit”, and “The 3rd Alternative” to name a few. We often wonder what our legacy will be and as I reflect on this sad […]

Microsoft – Scratching the Surface

There is always a better way and more than one solution This certainly seems to be true in the tablet world as Microsoft unveils one of its own – the Surface. Taking a note from Apple, Microsoft has integrated hardware and software into a unique solution that is sure to compete directly with the iPad. From a lean perspective, I […]

Happy Canada Day!

Today we are celebrating Canada’s 145th birthday – anxiously awaiting the special events, parties, and, of course, the fireworks that are sure to fill our skies. We celebrate our diverse culture and consider yet again what it means to be Canadian. Humble and proud. The Canadian federal government made a concerted effort to take us back 200 years to remind […]