Tag: Toyota

Toyota Thinking: Leadership, Systems, and Continuous Improvement

Toyota is often cited as the inspiration for Lean, but its success is rooted in leadership behaviors, management systems, and a deep commitment to learning—not tools or slogans. This archive brings together blog posts, podcasts, and reflections on Toyota’s approach to quality, continuous improvement, psychological safety, and respect for people. Many of these posts explore what leaders outside Toyota often misunderstand—and what truly matters if they hope to learn from Toyota rather than copy it.

LeanBlog Podcast #35 – Former Toyota Leader David Meier, on Toyota...

3
Listen: LeanBlog Podcast #35 is another discussion with David Meier, co-author of the book Toyota Talent, written with Dr. Jeffrey Liker. In this podcast, we...

An Example of Vehicle Error Proofing

2
Urban Legends Reference Pages: Cruise Control on Wet Roads HazardThis is sort of an old urban legend that has been making the rounds again,...

Toyota President Urges Genchi Genbutsu

1
Toyota juggernaut vows to improve (Detroit News):Toyota's president is urging his own company to remember the principle of "Genchi Genbutsu," or "go and see."...

"Toyota Culture" is Out

7
Jeffrey Liker's new book on Toyota Culture: The Heart and Soul of the Toyota Way is out. I'm getting a copy on Tuesday...

New Year’s Greetings from Toyota’s President

2
A New Year's Greeting from Toyota President Katsuaki WatanabeInteresting message. Does anyone have comparisons of any "year ahead" messages from other automakers? It's refreshing...

A Glimpse Back to 1995

1
U.S. Big Three Trail Japan in Productivity - New York TimesSometimes, in the course of my reading and research, I stumble across something interesting...

Toyota Worker in Japan Dies After Excessive OT

1
Two article links, sent to me by a few readers: Court: Toyota Employee Was Worked to Death Widow of Toyota worker questions labor practices At a first...

The New Style CEO?

3
C.E.O. Evolution Phase 3 - New York TimesIn this quote:Mr. "is disarmingly unpretentious," he added. "...he towers over other C.E.O.'s when it comes...

Gary Convis on Lean Leadership

2
Role of Management in a Lean Manufacturing Environment If you want to learn about the Toyota style of leading people, one of the best sources...

Toyota’s All-Out Drive To Stay Toyota

0
Business Week ArticleI have a number of "Toyota is struggling" articles in the backlog to work through. Maybe I'll dump the rest of...

NUMMI Employee Says Plant Hides Defects

15
Whistleblower says defects hidden at Toyota-GM Calif. plant Ironically enough, while on the topic of not counting defects (the TSA), this disturbing story was in...

Lean Cannot be Measured by Inventory Alone

7
I know many of you won't have access to this article from the latest Industrial Engineer magazine (from the Institute of Industrial Engineers) but...
An AI coach that asks questions, not just gives answers.Try the Lean Hospitals Coach -- Free Demo
+ +