<a href='https://www.leanblog.org/2008/01/leanblog-podcast-34-chris-harris-lean/'>Episode page</a>
LeanBlog Podcast #34 is a discussion with Chris Harris, from <a href='http://www.harrisleansystems.com/'>Harris Lean Systems</a>, and co-author of the book <a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1563273489?ie=UTF8&tag=leanmanufac02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1563273489'>Developing a Lean Workforce: A Guide for Human Resources, Plant Managers and Lean Coordinators</a>.
If you enjoy this podcast, I hope you'll check out the rest of the series by visiting the <a href='http://www.leanpodcast.org/'>LeanBlog podcast main page</a>. Now that my book manuscript is done, I'm going to get back into regular podcasting, with episodes in the coming weeks featuring Norman Bodek, David Meier, and Jeffrey Liker. Let me know if you have questions for Dr. Liker, using the contact info at the bottom of this post.
Keywords and Main Points, Episode #34
<ul><li>Chris started working the assembly line at Toyota, then became a production supervisor at both Toyota and a different Tier 1 auto supplier.</li>
<li>Focusing on the people is key, assuming most people want to do a good job.</li>
<li>What's the proper role of a “Lean Coordinator”?</li>
<li>What's the right role for a supervisor or a team leader? How do you make that transition?</li>
<li>“The same reason Lean succeeds is the same reason it fails…. leadership.”</li>
</ul>

Episode page LeanBlog Podcast #34 is a discussion with Chris Harris, from Harris Lean Systems, and co-author of the book Developing a Lean Workforce: A Guide for Human Resources, Plant Managers and Lean Coordinators. If you enjoy this podcast, I hope you'll check out the rest of the series by visiting the LeanBlog podcast main page. Now that my book manuscript is done, I'm going to get back into regular podcasting, with episodes in the coming weeks featuring Norman Bodek, David Meier, and Jeffrey Liker. Let me know if you have questions for Dr. Liker, using the contact info at the bottom of this post. Keywords and Main Points, Episode #34 Chris started working the assembly line at Toyota, then became a production supervisor at both Toyota and a different Tier 1 auto supplier. Focusing on the people is key, assuming most people want to do a good job. What's the proper role of a “Lean Coordinator”? What's the right role for a supervisor or a team leader? How do you make that transition? “The same reason Lean succeeds is the same reason it fails…. leadership.”

<a href="https://www.leanblog.org/2008/01/leanblog-podcast-34-chris-harris-lean/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Episode page</a>
LeanBlog Podcast #34 is a discussion with Chris Harris, from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.harrisleansystems.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Harris Lean Systems</a>, and co-author of the book&nbsp;<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1563273489?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=leanmanufac02-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1563273489" rel="noopener noreferrer">Developing a Lean Workforce: A Guide for Human Resources, Plant Managers and Lean Coordinators</a>.
If you enjoy this podcast, I hope you'll check out the rest of the series by visiting the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.leanpodcast.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">LeanBlog podcast main page</a>. Now that my book manuscript is done, I'm going to get back into regular podcasting, with episodes in the coming weeks featuring Norman Bodek, David Meier, and Jeffrey Liker. Let me know if you have questions for Dr. Liker, using the contact info at the bottom of this post.
Keywords and Main Points, Episode #34
<ul><li>Chris started working the assembly line at Toyota, then became a production supervisor at both Toyota and a different Tier 1 auto supplier.</li>
<li>Focusing on the people is key, assuming most people want to do a good job.</li>
<li>What's the proper role of a “Lean Coordinator”?</li>
<li>What's the right role for a supervisor or a team leader? How do you make that transition?</li>
<li>“The same reason Lean succeeds is the same reason it fails…. leadership.”</li>
</ul>

Former Toyota Leader Chris Harris Discussing Lean Workforces

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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Former Toyota Leader Chris Harris Discussing Lean Workforces

Former Toyota Leader Chris Harris Discussing Lean Workforces

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