I had the wonderful privilege of having a full career at Toyota. I even got to have one of those dream jobs for a decade: Dean of the University of Toyota. How cool is that! In my new life as a consultant, I get to work with companies on their "lean" and "leadership" challenges. Where I see the biggest challenge is companies struggling to adapt "lean principles and practices" to the service side of the business. For example, just about every hospital I know is trying to get "

Here’s the question: Is it the cat or dog that best characterizes your leadership style? First of all, cats truly capture the conventional images of leadership: independent, self-sufficient, and agile. But at their extreme, this can morph into aloofness, detachment and fierce independence. Dogs are totally the opposite. The moniker of “man’s best friend” is fitting — and their “total engagement and transparency” creates the most positive image of a leader. Dogs love unconditi