"Leading" List
I am a believer that Leaders are Readers. Stephen Covey taught that the 7th Habit of Highly Effective People is "Sharpening the Saw". Reading provides exposure to new ideas and concepts. I have started reading clubs with my ELT, Supervisors, and Team Leaders to get us on the same page. Below I have listed the books I find most valuable.
Our Leadership Must Read List:
"Extreme Leadership"
Joko Willink and Leif Babin teamed up to link how U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win to winning in business. Most businesses do not face life and death choices every day. However, they must choose from which products to develop, or drop. They must decide where improvement is needed, and set goals that require change. Businesses are in great need of effective leaders.
"The Five Dysfunctions of a Team"
Patrick Lencioni wrote this leadership fable. I follow this model to build teamwork. Trust is the foundation to have passionate debate to build committment. Mutual accountability requires trust and commitment. A team focused on results, that puts the collective goals ahead of their own is unstoppable.
"The Ideal Team Player"
Patrick Lencioni authored this book on the three esential virutes to cultivate teamwork. Hungry, Humble, and People Smart are needed to win in sports and business. I used this model to start a machining company turn around. The leaders were very strong team players and we built an excellent team to transform from job shop to a lean & friendly machining plant. Our time transitioned from fighting fires to developing our team.
"Our Iceburg Is Melting"
John Kotter wrote this arctic penguin tale of leading change. Change is as difficult for organizations as it is for these penguins to lose their iceburg. I have handed out over 100 copies of John's book. I use it to help people understand change is needed from the way we always did it to the new process with standard work. My strategies for change are guided and communicated clearly and often.
Transformation
Today we are decades into the Lean Manufacturing revolution started by W. Edwards Deming development of Total Quality Management that evolved into the Toyota Production System. Lean is the elimination of non value add wastes. Lean processes require leadership and team education. The foundation of Lean is to establish Lean Daily Management. At Lean Process Excellence we can help you get your transformation journey started and ensure each step is sustained to build on.
