Lately, I've been enjoying the creativity of those AI-generated “action figure career meme” images floating around social media. That got me thinking… what would my action figure evolution look like, over the last 30 years of working in manufacturing, healthcare, tech, and continuous improvement?
So here it is–my career trajectory, distilled into action figures, as I first shared on LinkedIn.
1995: The GM Industrial Engineer Action Figure
Fresh out of school, I started on the GM shop floor as an industrial engineer. Tools of the trade? A clipboard, a stopwatch, and a notebook. We were reading The Goal and grappling with bottlenecks–yes, even our own Herbies. Lean was barely whispered at the time, let alone embraced. “Toyota” was still considered a threat (a dirty word), not a teacher.
My action figure back then? Probably wearing steel-toe shoes, holding a stopwatch, and maybe dodging sparks–literally and figuratively. Getting contacted via pager and returning calls via a landline phone.
But even then, there were glimpses of something better–of systems thinking, and of respect for people that could go beyond the norms of that era.
Today: Consultant, Author, Speaker, Podcaster… Still Learning
Now, my role has shifted. I spend time helping others improve–from startup teams to hospital systems, from manufacturing firms to executive coaching clients. I'm speaking, writing, podcasting… and always learning.
Today's tools? An iPhone instead of a pager, but still that trusty notebook. A MacBook Pro instead of a desktop PC. Whiteboard markers. Digital collaboration apps. And increasingly, platforms like AI that help us process and visualize ideas faster–but the thinking and culture still matter most.
My modern action figure? Business casual (rarely a tie), with a podcast mic in one hand, a sticky note pad in the other. (Healthcare variant: scrubs plus a Kaizen idea card.)
Reflecting on the Journey
The tools have changed. The setting has shifted. But what hasn't changed is the core purpose: helping organizations learn, improve, and treat people with dignity and respect.
Each phase of my career has taught me new lessons–and many of those came through mistakes, whether in factories, meeting rooms, or even from writing and publishing. As I shared in The Mistakes That Make Us, it's those moments of reflection and humility that help us grow the most.
And no matter the gear or garb, this work has always been–at its best–human work. A journey of Kaizen.
How Have Your Tools Changed Over Time?
What would your action figure look like now–and what tools would you be holding? What are the timeless ones you still reach for, even as the tech evolves?
Let me know in the comments–or share your own AI-generated image.
Keep learning. Keep improving. And maybe keep a few sticky notes in your back pocket, just in case.
The ChatGPT Prompt
Here's the prompt that I used:
Create a realistic image of an action figure toy based on the provided photo of Mark Graban. The action figure should:
Wear the blue suit, white shirt, and glasses exactly as seen in the reference photo.
Have arms straight down by its sides, posed in a neutral yet confident stance.
Be packaged inside a vintage-style action figure blister pack with clear plastic, mounted on colorful cardboard backing.
Include these accessories placed neatly inside the package next to the figure:
A sleek MacBook pro silver computer (closed).
A presentation clicker (small, handheld).
Several whiteboard markers (varied colors).
A clear miniature representation of his book, “The Mistakes That Make Us,” matching the provided book cover precisely.
The cardboard backing should prominently display his name “Mark Graban” and the action figure series title “Consultant & Speaker Series.” It should also include a tagline like “Empowering Learning and Innovation!” Use professional, vibrant colors for an appealing yet authentic collectible look.
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Check out my latest book, The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation:
