My guest for podcast #175 is Mike Taubitz of the firm Sustainable Lean and <a href='http://www.fdrsafety.com/about/fdrsafety-senior-advisors/#programs'>FDR Safety</a>. Mike is a retired GM employee (including a stint as Global Safety Director)  and we met at the <a href='http://michiganlean.org/'>Michigan Lean Consortium</a> conference in 2011. We quickly discovered our shared interest in Dr. Deming, Lean, and, most importantly, safety improvement.
I hope you enjoy our chat about his background and lessons from his career, the integration of Lean practices and safety improvement, lessons from <a href='https://www.leanblog.org/124'>Paul O'Neill</a> and other great topics. Like my dad, Mike is a graduate of the then <a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettering_University'>General Motors Institute (now Kettering University</a>).

Some key quotes:
<ul><li>“It's not just what you do, but why.”</li>
<li>5S is not just neat, clean, and organized – it's about team identifying waste and developing standards</li>
<li>We are “a nation of solution seekers” instead of working on “foundational thinking.”</li>
</ul>
For a link to this episode, refer people to <a href='https://www.leanblog.org/175'>www.leanblog.org/175</a>.
For earlier episodes, visit the <a href='http://www.leanpodcast.org/'>main Podcast page</a>, which includes information on how to <a href='https://mgraban.hipcast.com/rss/leanblog_podcast.xml'>subscribe via RSS</a> or <a href='http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/leanblog-podcast/id168151452'>via Apple Podcasts</a>.

My guest for podcast #175 is Mike Taubitz of the firm Sustainable Lean and FDR Safety. Mike is a retired GM employee (including a stint as Global Safety Director) and we met at the Michigan Lean Consortium conference in 2011. We quickly discovered our shared interest in Dr. Deming, Lean, and, most importantly, safety improvement. I hope you enjoy our chat about his background and lessons from his career, the integration of Lean practices and safety improvement, lessons from Paul O'Neill and other great topics. Like my dad, Mike is a graduate of the then General Motors Institute (now Kettering University). Some key quotes: “It's not just what you do, but why.” 5S is not just neat, clean, and organized – it's about team identifying waste and developing standards We are “a nation of solution seekers” instead of working on “foundational thinking.” For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/175. For earlier episodes, visit the main Podcast page, which includes information on how to subscribe via RSS or via Apple Podcasts.

My guest for podcast #175 is Mike Taubitz of the firm Sustainable Lean and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fdrsafety.com/about/fdrsafety-senior-advisors/#programs" rel="noopener noreferrer">FDR Safety</a>. Mike is a retired GM employee (including a stint as Global Safety Director) &nbsp;and we met at the&nbsp;<a href="http://michiganlean.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Michigan Lean Consortium</a>&nbsp;conference in 2011. We quickly discovered our shared interest in Dr. Deming, Lean, and, most importantly, safety improvement.
I hope you enjoy our chat about his background and lessons from his career, the integration of Lean practices and safety improvement, lessons from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leanblog.org/124" rel="noopener noreferrer">Paul O'Neill</a>&nbsp;and other great topics. Like my dad, Mike is a graduate of the then&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettering_University" rel="noopener noreferrer">General Motors Institute (now Kettering University</a>).

Some key quotes:
<ul><li>“It's not just what you do, but why.”</li>
<li>5S is not just neat, clean, and organized – it's about team identifying waste and developing standards</li>
<li>We are “a nation of solution seekers” instead of working on “foundational thinking.”</li>
</ul>
For a link to this episode, refer people to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leanblog.org/175" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.leanblog.org/175</a>.
For earlier episodes, visit the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.leanpodcast.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer">main Podcast page</a>, which includes information on how to&nbsp;<a href="https://mgraban.hipcast.com/rss/leanblog_podcast.xml" rel="noopener noreferrer">subscribe via RSS</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/leanblog-podcast/id168151452" rel="noopener noreferrer">via Apple Podcasts</a>.

Mike Taubitz on Lean and Safety, Dr. Deming, General Motors and Paul O’Neill

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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Mike Taubitz on Lean and Safety, Dr. Deming, General Motors and Paul O’Neill

Mike Taubitz on Lean and Safety, Dr. Deming, General Motors and Paul O’Neill

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