My guest for Episode #324 of the podcast is Art Smalley. Art was one of the first Americans to work for Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan and, since then, has been helping other organizations with the Toyota Production System (a.k.a. “Lean”) methods and approaches. You can also visit his website to learn more, <a href='http://artoflean.com/'>www.ArtOfLean.com</a>.
Art is a fellow <a href='https://www.lean.org/WhoWeAre/LeanPerson.cfm?LeanPersonId=49'>faculty member at the Lean Enterprise Institute</a>. He has written two Shingo Publication Award-winning books: <a href='https://amzn.to/2T0yMdd'>Creating </a><a href='https://amzn.to/2T0yMdd'>Level Pull </a>and (co-authored with Durward Sobek) <a href='https://amzn.to/2DeB2bD'>Understanding A3 Thinking</a>. Art later wrote <a href='https://amzn.to/2T57vGO'>Toyota's Kaizen Methods: </a><a href='https://amzn.to/2T57vGO'>Six Steps to Improvement</a> with Isao Kato.
I own all of these books and have only met Art briefly in the past, so I'm happy to finally have him here as a guest. Today, we'll talk about Art's career and his most recent book, <a href='https://www.lean.org/Bookstore/ProductDetails.cfm?SelectedProductId=418'>Four Types of Problems</a>, published by the Lean Enterprise Institute (note: LEI provided me a free electronic copy of the book).
I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

My guest for Episode #324 of the podcast is Art Smalley. Art was one of the first Americans to work for Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan and, since then, has been helping other organizations with the Toyota Production System (a.k.a. “Lean”) methods and approaches. You can also visit his website to learn more, www.ArtOfLean.com. Art is a fellow faculty member at the Lean Enterprise Institute. He has written two Shingo Publication Award-winning books: Creating Level Pull and (co-authored with Durward Sobek) Understanding A3 Thinking. Art later wrote Toyota's Kaizen Methods: Six Steps to Improvement with Isao Kato. I own all of these books and have only met Art briefly in the past, so I'm happy to finally have him here as a guest. Today, we'll talk about Art's career and his most recent book, Four Types of Problems, published by the Lean Enterprise Institute (note: LEI provided me a free electronic copy of the book). I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

My guest for Episode #324 of the podcast is Art Smalley. Art was one of the first Americans to work for Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan and, since then, has been helping other organizations with the Toyota Production System (a.k.a. “Lean”) methods and approaches.&nbsp;You can also visit his website to learn more,&nbsp;<a href="http://artoflean.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.ArtOfLean.com</a>.
Art is a fellow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lean.org/WhoWeAre/LeanPerson.cfm?LeanPersonId=49" rel="noopener noreferrer">faculty member at the Lean Enterprise Institute</a>.&nbsp;He has written two Shingo Publication Award-winning books:&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2T0yMdd" rel="noopener noreferrer">Creating&nbsp;</a><a href="https://amzn.to/2T0yMdd" rel="noopener noreferrer">Level Pull&nbsp;</a>and (co-authored with Durward Sobek)&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2DeB2bD" rel="noopener noreferrer">Understanding A3 Thinking</a>. Art later wrote&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2T57vGO" rel="noopener noreferrer">Toyota's Kaizen Methods:&nbsp;</a><a href="https://amzn.to/2T57vGO" rel="noopener noreferrer">Six Steps to Improvement</a>&nbsp;with Isao Kato.
I own all of these books and have only met Art briefly in the past, so I'm happy to finally have him here as a guest. Today, we'll talk about Art's career and his most recent book,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lean.org/Bookstore/ProductDetails.cfm?SelectedProductId=418" rel="noopener noreferrer">Four&nbsp;Types of Problems</a>, published by the Lean Enterprise Institute (note: LEI provided me a free electronic copy of the book).
I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.

Art Smalley, “Four Types of Problems”

Since 2006, the Lean Blog Interviews podcast has featured in-depth, candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and doers in the world of Lean and continuous improvement. Hosted by Mark Graban—author, consultant, and longtime Lean practitioner—the show explores how Lean principles are being applied across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and more.
What sets this podcast apart? We go beyond tools and buzzwords. Our guests share real-world stories of success, struggle, learning, and leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned Lean veteran or just getting started, you’ll gain practical insights and fresh perspectives that you can take back to your own organization.
Topics include:
<ul>
<li>
Lean as a management system and cultural transformation—not just a toolbox
</li>
<li>
Continuous improvement and problem-solving, at every level
</li>
<li>
Leadership behaviors that support real change
</li>
<li>
Psychological safety as a foundation for improvement
</li>
<li>
Lessons from the Toyota Production System, Lean Startup, and beyond
</li>
<li>
Candid stories about mistakes—and what we learn from them
</li>
</ul>
We don’t talk much about “Lean Six Sigma” here. But if you believe improvement is about people first—this podcast is for you.
Many episodes feature a special focus on Lean in healthcare, reflecting Mark’s deep work in that field. Hear from leaders working to improve patient safety, reduce waste, and build cultures of respect and learning.
Find all episodes and show notes at <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.leancast.org">www.LeanCast.org</a>. Learn more about Mark and his work at <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.leanblog.org">www.LeanBlog.org</a>. Questions or feedback? Email <a class="decorated-link cursor-pointer">mark@leanblog.org </a>

Business

Management

Since 2006, the Lean Blog Interviews podcast has featured in-depth, candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and doers in the world of Lean and continuous improvement. Hosted by Mark Graban—author, consultant, and longtime Lean practitioner—the show explores how Lean principles are being applied across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and more. What sets this podcast apart? We go beyond tools and buzzwords. Our guests share real-world stories of success, struggle, learning, and leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned Lean veteran or just getting started, you’ll gain practical insights and fresh perspectives that you can take back to your own organization. Topics include: Lean as a management system and cultural transformation—not just a toolbox Continuous improvement and problem-solving, at every level Leadership behaviors that support real change Psychological safety as a foundation for improvement Lessons from the Toyota Production System, Lean Startup, and beyond Candid stories about mistakes—and what we learn from them We don’t talk much about “Lean Six Sigma” here. But if you believe improvement is about people first—this podcast is for you. Many episodes feature a special focus on Lean in healthcare, reflecting Mark’s deep work in that field. Hear from leaders working to improve patient safety, reduce waste, and build cultures of respect and learning. Find all episodes and show notes at www.LeanCast.org.Learn more about Mark and his work at www.LeanBlog.org.Questions or feedback? Email mark@leanblog.org

Since 2006, the Lean Blog Interviews podcast has featured in-depth, candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and doers in the world of Lean and continuous improvement. Hosted by Mark Graban—author, consultant, and longtime Lean practitioner—the show explores how Lean principles are being applied across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and more.
What sets this podcast apart? We go beyond tools and buzzwords. Our guests share real-world stories of success, struggle, learning, and leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned Lean veteran or just getting started, you’ll gain practical insights and fresh perspectives that you can take back to your own organization.
Topics include:
<ul>
<li>
Lean as a management system and cultural transformation—not just a toolbox
</li>
<li>
Continuous improvement and problem-solving, at every level
</li>
<li>
Leadership behaviors that support real change
</li>
<li>
Psychological safety as a foundation for improvement
</li>
<li>
Lessons from the Toyota Production System, Lean Startup, and beyond
</li>
<li>
Candid stories about mistakes—and what we learn from them
</li>
</ul>
We don’t talk much about “Lean Six Sigma” here. But if you believe improvement is about people first—this podcast is for you.
Many episodes feature a special focus on Lean in healthcare, reflecting Mark’s deep work in that field. Hear from leaders working to improve patient safety, reduce waste, and build cultures of respect and learning.
Find all episodes and show notes at <a href="https://www.leancast.org" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.LeanCast.org</a>. Learn more about Mark and his work at <a href="https://www.leanblog.org" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.LeanBlog.org</a>. Questions or feedback? Email <a rel="noopener noreferrer">mark@leanblog.org&nbsp;</a>

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Art Smalley, “Four Types of Problems”

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