<p style="color: #FFFFFF;">Our Next Amazing Podcast Topic</p>
<p style="color: #FFFFFF;">Our Next Amazing Podcast Topic</p>

Our Next Amazing Podcast Topic

Each week, we feature an exciting new topic designed to **inspire, motivate, and empower leaders** at every level. Join us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST for our live podcast recording. Don’t miss out — click “LISTEN LIVE” in the top right corner to tune in!

Developing Leadership Skills Book Club

Developing Leadership Skills Book Club & Podcast Series

A Special Thank You to Dr. Jeffrey K. Liker

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Jeffrey K. Liker for allowing us to create a book club format — and integrate it into our podcast — covering all 75 Developing Leadership Lessons.

These lessons can be found on Amazon under the title "Developing Leadership Skills" and in the book "Developing Lean Leaders at All Levels."

This series represents our commitment to deliberate practice, disciplined learning, and leadership development at every level.

2026 Book Club Schedule (Beginning February 11, 2026)

Session 01

Feb. 11, 2026

Developing Leadership Skills 01: From Good to Great

Our first session launches the journey from being a good leader to becoming a truly great Lean leader. We explore the foundational mindset shifts required for sustainable excellence and disciplined leadership growth.

Session Focus & Reflection Prompts
  • What distinguishes good leadership from great leadership?
  • How does disciplined problem solving shape leadership identity?
  • What habits must we begin practicing immediately?
  • How does this lesson set the foundation for the remaining 74 sessions?
Developing Leadership Skills – Full Schedule OW64 In-App Purchase

OW64 In‑App Purchase – Developing Leadership Skills Series (PDF)

For an in‑app (OW64) purchase of the book in PDF format and each of the PDFs for the Developing Leadership Skills series, please click the secure checkout link below.

Purchase PDF Series in OW64

You will be directed to the official OW64 secure checkout page to complete your purchase.

Developing Leadership Skills – Full Book Club Schedule (Session 02 – 75)

Session 02
Feb. 25, 2026
Problem Solving – The Toyoda Way
Session 03
Mar. 11, 2026
Toyota Production System Origins
Session 04
Mar. 25, 2026
True North Values
Session 05
Apr. 8, 2026
Integrated Lean Systems
Session 06
Apr. 22, 2026
Developing People
Session 07
May 13, 2026
What is Lean?
Session 08
May 27, 2026
Problem Solving Towards the Ideal – Module 2 Section 1
Session 09
Jun. 10, 2026
Toyota Business Practices – Module 2 Section 2
Session 10
Jun. 24, 2026
Toyota Business Practices Explained – Module 2 Section 3
Session 11
Jul. 8, 2026
Toyota Business Practices – Example – Module 2 Section 4
Session 12
Jul. 22, 2026
Root Cause – Using the 5 WHY’s
Session 13
Aug. 12, 2026
Problem Solving to Develop People – Module 2 Section 6
Session 14
Aug. 26, 2026
Why Plan Do Check Adjust? – Module 2 Section 7
Session 15
Sep. 9, 2026
A3 Thinking – Module 2 Section 8
Session 16
Sep. 23, 2026
A3 Stories – Module 2 Section 9
Session 17
Oct. 14, 2026
More A3 Stories – Module 2 Section 10
Session 18
Oct. 28, 2026
A3 Examples – Module 2 Section 11
Session 19
Nov. 11, 2026
Standards Support Continuous Improvement – Module 3 Section 1
Session 20
Nov. 25, 2026
Good and Bad Bureaucracy – Module 3 Section 2
Session 21
Dec. 9, 2026
Using Standards to Start Improving – Module 3 Section 3
Session 22
Jan. 13, 2027
Visualize Deviations to Start Improving – Module 3 Section 4
Session 23
Jan. 27, 2027
What is Visual Management? – Module 3 Section 5
Session 24
Feb. 10, 2027
A Non-Traditional Lean Case Study – Module 3 Section 6
Session 25
Feb. 24, 2027
Visual Authorization Boards – Module 3 Section 7
Session 26
Mar. 10, 2027
Team Work at Menlo Innovations – Module 3 Section 8
Session 27
Mar. 24, 2027
What is Leaders Standard Work? – Module 3 Section 9
Session 28
Apr. 14, 2027
Self Development – Module 4 Section 1
Session 29
Apr. 28, 2027
Working to Become a Lean Leader – Module 4 Section 2
Session 30
May 12, 2027
Developing Leader Skills – Module 4 Section 3
Session 31
May 26, 2027
Being Promoted as a Lean Leader – Module 4 Section 4
Session 32
Jun. 9, 2027
Developing Mastery – Module 4 Section 5
Session 33
Jun. 23, 2027
How Senior Executives Self Develop – Module 4 Section 6
Session 34
Jul. 14, 2027
Lean Leadership Success Factors – Module 4 Section 7
Session 35
Jul. 28, 2027
What is True North? – Module 4 Section 8
Session 36
Aug. 11, 2027
Begin to Develop Others – Module 5 Section 1
Session 37
Aug. 25, 2027
Beginning Steps of Coaching – Module 5 Section 2
Session 38
Sep. 8, 2027
Continue to Coach Others – Module 5 Section 3
Session 39
Sep. 22, 2027
Deliberate Practice – Module 5 Section 4
Session 40
Oct. 13, 2027
How to Coach at the Gemba – Module 5 Section 5
Session 41
Oct. 27, 2027
Getting Started on Lean Leadership – Module 5 Section 6
Session 42
Nov. 10, 2027
Select Coaches to Teach Behaviors – Module 5 Section 7
Session 43
Nov. 24, 2027
Three Part Recipe for Lean Leaders – Module 5 Section 8
Session 44
Dec. 8, 2027
Toyota Teaching Methods – Module 5 Section 9
Session 45
Jan. 12, 2028
Teaching Toyota Business Practices – Module 5 Section 10
Session 46
Jan. 26, 2028
On the Job Development – Module 5 Section 11
Session 47
Feb. 9, 2028
Focus on One Leader – Module 5 Section 12
Session 48
Feb. 23, 2028
Leadership in Your Company – Module 5 Section 13
Session 49
Mar. 8, 2028
Conversation About Leadership – Module 5 Section 14
Session 50
Mar. 22, 2028
Developing Yourself and Others – Module 6 Section 1
Session 51
Apr. 12, 2028
The Heart of Continuous Improvement – Module 6 Section 2
Session 52
Apr. 26, 2028
Team Leader Roles and Responsibilities – Module 6 Section 3
Session 53
May 10, 2028
Visual Controls Support Work Groups – Module 6 Section 4
Session 54
May 24, 2028
Teachers Creating a Critical Mass – Module 6 Section 5
Session 55
Jun. 14, 2028
What is B Labor at Toyota? – Module 6 Section 6
Session 56
Jun. 28, 2028
A Material Flow Revolution – Module 6 Section 7
Session 57
Jul. 12, 2028
Minomi Project Results – Module 6 Section 8
Session 58
Jul. 26, 2028
Function of Key Performance Indicators – Module 6 Section 9
Session 59
Aug. 9, 2028
Who Does What With Standard Work? – Module 6 Section 10
Session 60
Aug. 23, 2028
Audit Your Company's Current State – Module 6 Section 11
Session 61
Sep. 13, 2028
Creating Vision and Capability – Module 7 Section 1
Session 62
Sep. 27, 2028
Continuous Improvement in Your Work Group – Module 7 Section 2
Session 63
Oct. 11, 2028
Vertical and Horizontal Alignment – Module 7 Section 3
Session 64
Oct. 25, 2028
Align People Horizontally and Vertically – Module 7 Section 4
Session 65
Nov. 8, 2028
Hoshin Kanri and Daily Management – Module 7 Section 5
Session 66
Nov. 22, 2028
The Philosophy of Hoshin Kanri – Module 7 Section 6
Session 67
Dec. 13, 2028
Making a Comparison to Hoshin Kanri – Module 7 Section 7
Session 68
Jan. 10, 2029
A Radical Lean Transformation – Module 7 Section 8
Session 69
Jan. 24, 2029
Focus on Developing Leadership – Module 7 Section 9
Session 70
Feb. 14, 2029
Meeting Management Standards – Module 7 Section 10
Session 71
Feb. 28, 2029
How Lean Evolves – Module 7 Section 11
Session 72
Mar. 14, 2029
Deliberate Practice is Not Fun – Module 7 Section 12
Session 73
Mar. 28, 2029
Solutions Start With a Problem – Module 8 Section 1
Session 74
Apr. 11, 2029
Sales and Marketing Approach to Scion – Module 8 Section 2
Session 75
Apr. 25, 2029
Results From Scion Brand – Module 8 Section 3
Developing Lean Leaders at All Levels

Developing Lean Leaders at All Levels

Exploring Leadership Excellence through Lean Thinking

George Trachilis and Tom Lawless explore Leadership Excellence using a proven pattern designed to help leaders grow to their fullest potential. Their work focuses on applying lean principles—such as continuous improvement, mentorship, and reflection—to guide leaders in achieving excellence at every level. Please share with either George or Tom what "Our Next Amazing Podcast Topic" should be.

About the Book

Developing Lean Leaders at All Levels: A Practical Guide is a dynamic audiobook co-authored by Jeffrey K. Liker and George Trachilis, building upon the teachings in Liker’s original work, The Toyota Way to Lean Leadership.

This practical guide answers one important question: How can I apply the theory of Lean Leadership in my own organization? It offers actionable steps to help leaders practice effective habits, develop continuous improvement routines, and inspire those around them.

Key Highlights

  • Translates Toyota Way leadership concepts into everyday actions.
  • Includes real-world examples and case studies from over 20 years of experience.
  • Emphasizes mentorship, coaching, and developing people through practice and reflection.
  • Serves as an active learning guide—encouraging listeners to engage, not just absorb.

Purpose of the Book

The book encourages leaders to go beyond management and become teachers—fostering a culture of learning, respect, and responsibility. It serves as both a roadmap and a companion for those beginning their journey toward operational and personal excellence.

By following the lean leadership pattern described by Liker and Trachilis, readers will discover how to grow people first—because when people grow, organizations thrive. Our Next Amazing Podcast Topic with Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis digs deeper into a sigle topic each week.

Our Next Amazing Podcast Topic & Harada App

Our Next Amazing Podcast Topic

Receives valuable insights and leadership principles directly from within our Productivity App: OW64 — the same method used by world-class athlete Shohei Ohtani and now helping leaders maximize their potential.

Get the OW64 App Today

To stay connected with leadership insights and personal growth tools, download the OW64 app now on your preferred platform below, and learn the Harada Method inspired by Shohei Ohtani

🎙️ Leadership X Weekly Recording Agenda

Every Wednesday • 4:30 PM> CST • at Click here to join meeting

🕗 00:00 – 00:05 | Welcome & Kickoff

George or Tom welcomes everyone and announces the day’s topic.

 Remind participants to check the website for the latest topic of the week.

💬 "Don’t worry — you’ll catch up faster than a Toyota takt time chart on espresso!"

🧠 00:05 – 00:25 | 20‑Minute Recording

Hosts discuss the weekly leadership topic inspired by the book Developing Lean Leaders at All Levels.
 They explore key lessons, stories, and practical applications.

  • Kickoff with topic overview & real‑world example
  • Share one lesson from Tom or George
  • Summarize 3 key takeaways for listeners

☕ "Your coffee counts as Kaizen fuel — continuous improvement in liquid form!"

🙋‍♀️ 00:25 – 00:30 | Transition to Q&A

Invite participants to hold their questions until called upon to maintain flow and respect for time.

🗣️ "Please keep your microphones muted until you’re invited — we like our lean conversations muda‑free!"

💬 00:30 – 01:00 | Live Q & A Session

Open floor for questions, stories, and feedback from the audience. Encourage learners to share applications of the day’s topic.

  • Ask participants what Lean habits they’re building.
  • Prompt discussion on connecting daily work to purpose.
  • Offer "Kaizen claps" 👏 for great insights and questions!

✅ T

hank you for joining Leadership X! Remember: Leadership is a practice — keep improving and lead with respect. 

“Life is too short to think short term.” – George Trachilis  |  “Develop people first, and operational excellence will follow.” – Dr. Tom Lawless