In this episode of Improvement Nerds, we’re joined by Katie Anderson, lean leadership expert and author of Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn. Fresh from her latest study trip to Japan, Katie shares powerful insights on people-centered leadership, continuous improvement, and how strategy deployment connects leaders and frontline teams.

Discover the secrets behind Toyota-inspired practices, the importance of psychological safety, and how to balance technical expertise with transformational leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned Lean Six Sigma practitioner or just starting your improvement journey, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways!

💡 Key Topics Covered:

Lessons from Katie’s Japan study trips
Connecting strategy deployment (Hoshin Kanri) from leaders to the frontline
The critical role of Nemawashi (tilling the soil) in decision-making
Creating psychological safety in high-performing organizations
Developing leadership skills with the Katalyst model

📍 Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction: Lean leadership and Katie Anderson’s Japan study trips
4:00 - People-centered processes: Lessons from Japan and Toyota
8:30 - Hoshin Kanri: How strategy deployment connects leaders to the frontline
14:20 - Nemawashi: Building alignment and support for lasting change
20:10 - Psychological safety: Building trust while achieving results
25:45 - Moving from technical expert to transformational leader
32:10 - Developing influence skills: The Katalyst model
38:00 - Advice for new Lean leaders and practitioners
42:00 - Where to find Katie’s resources: Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn and Chain of Learning podcast

🌟 Connect with Katie Anderson:
Website: kbjanderson.com
Book: Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn
Podcast: Chain of Learning

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