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.
Today’s Detroit News wrote about lean in healthcare, this time in their own beloved University of Michigan system. Titled “U-M Hospital Takes Page from Toyota,” it starts out with a flaw, stating: “U-M is one of the first medical centers…
I received this email and I’m publishing it here with the permission of the anonymous author: In May, the TMMI Toyota Plant in Princeton, IN held an open house for family and friends of employees to come in and tour…
MercuryNews.com | 06/04/2006 | Toyota N. America marks a milestone Here is another article about Toyota’s Jim Press, who along with Gary Convis, represents Americans rising high within Toyota’s corporate structure. Later this month, Jim Press will become the first…
Business – theage.com.au Are you sick of reading about Toyota’s success? I’m not. This reporter does a pretty good job of capturing the main points of the Toyota Production System. “… if they [visitors to the factory] are looking for…
TOYOTA: Company > Vision/Phillosophy I believe some of this material is new, or at least worth re-visiting. The Toyota Production System, an overview presented on the Toyota Global Website. Please check out my main blog page at www.leanblog.org The RSS…
Born in Japan made in USA – 05/30/06 – The Detroit News Online: Here is an article about Toyota’s Fujio Cho. I don’t take the view of another blog, which calls Toyota “racist” for having an solely Japanese board. I’m…
Lexington Herald-Leader | 05/21/2006 | Toyota plant celebrates 20 years 20 Years in Georgetown (above) 10 Years in West Virgina There were celebrations in Kentucky: Toyota brought its 7,000 employees and their guests to Rupp Arena for car giveaways and…
Seth’s Blog: In search of better Seth Godin asks if we should try to make processes better or “different.” It makes me think back to this morning’s WSJ article comparing the upcoming Toyota San Antonio plant with the existing (and…
Racing Junky – How Toyota will shape the NASCAR of tomorrow I’m not a racing fan, but here is an interesting column about the impact that Toyota will have on racing, written from the perspective of a racing guy. It…
Toyota NAmerica forms independent panel to evaluate workplace harassment – Forbes.com Toyota Motor North America Names New Leadership Team, Appointing Yuki Funo Chairman and CEO, and Jim Press President If there is any upside in the alleged Toyota sexual harrassment…
05/11/06 – The Detroit News Record annual profits for Toyota. That seems to happen every year now. Profits = Cash = Investment = More Profits. It’s a nice cycle to be in. But the cash-rich Japanese rival is stepping up…
AP Wire | 05/10/2006 | Toyota’s quarterly profit jumps 39 percent Quarterly business update on Toyota, including some executive changes. Just about the only recent trouble Toyota has encountered is a $190 million sexual harassment lawsuit filed last week against…
