Mark DeLuzio discusses the confusion that exists in the Lean Community, and the Lean Consulting industry and academia are primarily to blame. Returning to Lean Basics and ignoring distractions like Kata, Gemba Walks, Lean certifications, and other consulting “innovations,” which are designed to sell books and consulting services.

Mark DeLuzio discusses the absence of engineers from the Gemba in both manufacturing and design. He also discusses the sin of engineering, which he calls "Catalogue Engineers."

Mark DeLuzio discusses how the TPS House is not a set of tools, but a way of thinking, and that the tools of Lean support these principles. Starting with the tools before understanding the principles has proven to be the downfall of many companies starting a Lean transformation.

Mark DeLuzio discusses the dangers of cost-based pricing as well as the various issues encountered when doing so. He introduces the merits of market-based pricing instead.

Mark DeLuzio discusses the dangers of focusing on the lagging indicator of productivity and suggests we turn our attention towards improving our processes, which will, in turn, drive improved productivity.

Mark DeLuzio discusses the institutionalized waste of Mura and Muri, and if left unchallenged, it will derail a Lean transformation.

Mark DeLuzio discusses the errors made when architecting the Danaher Business System and the things he would do differently today.

A lean office can either accelerate transformation or quietly undermine it. The difference often comes down to trust, leadership alignment, and a clear sense of purpose. Drawing on his time as the architect of the Danaher Business System, Mark shares hard-earned lessons about what makes a lean office succeed and where so many stumble.

From CEOs treating their lean teams as spies to audits that destroy credibility, he explains the traps to avoid and the principles that matter. You’ll hear why capability-building should be the core "product" of any lean office, how to prioritize resources around strategy, and why reporting directly to the CEO is so important.

This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone running or working with a lean office, whether you're starting fresh or trying to course-correct.