When I had the chance to go back to Japan last October with Honsha, there was a big focus on what the former Toyota people kept referring to as "a development company." The meaning was that Toyota (and companies with similar performance) focus first and foremost on developing people.

Toyota as a "People Development Company"

Lean Blog Audio is a short-form podcast featuring audio versions of articles from LeanBlog.org, written, read, and expanded by Mark Graban.

Each episode explores practical Lean thinking, psychological safety, continuous improvement, and leadership—through real-world examples from healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and other complex work environments.

Topics include learning from mistakes, reducing fear and blame, improving systems, and using data thoughtfully through tools like Process Behavior Charts. Episodes often go beyond the original blog post, adding fresh context and reflections.

Business

Lean Blog Audio is a short-form podcast featuring audio versions of articles from LeanBlog.org, written, read, and expanded by Mark Graban. Each episode explores practical Lean thinking, psychological safety, continuous improvement, and leadership—through real-world examples from healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and other complex work environments. Topics include learning from mistakes, reducing fear and blame, improving systems, and using data thoughtfully through tools like Process Behavior Charts. Episodes often go beyond the original blog post, adding fresh context and reflections.

Share Toyota as a "People Development Company"

Sign up to save your podcasts

Toyota as a "People Development Company"

Toyota as a "People Development Company"

More shows like Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking, Psychological Safety, and Continuous Improvement

This American Life

Lean Blog Interviews: Real-World Lean Leadership Conversations in Healthcare and Beyond

Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership

KaiNexus: Continuous Improvement, Leadership, and More

How to Be Awesome at Your Job

In Their Own Words

Lean Coffee Talk (formerly known as Lean Whiskey)

My Favorite Mistake: Learning Without Blame in Business and Leadership