In this interview, I talk with Katie Anderson, a leadership coach who has extensive lean experience in healthcare, and author of the award-winning Lean management book, "Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn." She lived in Japan for many years, where she learned directly from John Shook's former manager, Isao Yoshino, and the book is a summary of the lessons she learned through his experience at Toyota.

She has also volunteered her time on two nonprofit boards, and she shares advice for those considering becoming a nonprofit board member.

She also shares some great insights from Yoshino about leadership keys to success:

1) Set the Direction - alignment to goals

2) Provide Support - systems, coaching and support to help your people be successful, including a series of habits that we need to break, called GAPS:

* Go See - where the work happens with purpose of showing respect to people and evaluating the process

* Ask Questions - Stop giving people answers, help them learn how to improve

* Pause - Allow space for answers, be patient

* Study and Reflect - move away from action, focus on thinking and review

3) Develop Yourself - be humble to know that you don't know everything

She also talked about avoiding becoming a "template zombie" instead of understanding the principles of the improvement tools and methodology.

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