Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, published author, professional speaker, and blogger. He builds upon a deep education in engineering and management with practical experience working with executives and frontline employees in multiple industries to synthesize and practice methods including Lean management, continuous improvement, statistical methods, and people-centered leadership approaches.

In this episode, I talked with Mark about:

• His favorite mistake (turning the tables to ask him the question he asks guests on his podcast
• Impact of measurement on creativity, including measuring what really matters
• His creative process of writing books and articles (tip: collaboration tools for editors and beta readers)
• What's next for him.
• Lessons from international travel

Mark’s motivation is to humbly help others learn how to improve and sustain performance. In his healthcare work, this means improving the quality of care and patient safety, while also reducing cost and improving the workplace experience. Across multiple sectors, goals also include improving the customer (or patient) experience, to help the development of leaders and employees, and to build stronger, more adaptive organizations for the long term.

He has learned, practiced, and taught these methodologies in settings including manufacturing, healthcare, and technology startups. Working independently since 2010, and in partnership with other consulting groups, Mark enjoys working with organizations that are looking for better ways to improve, with leaders who are willing to lead that charge.

Mark also consults part time as a Senior Advisor for healthcare clients with the firm Value Capture. He is also a Senior Advisor to the technology and software company KaiNexus.

Books and Publications

His latest book is Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More, a management book about using simple, yet practical statistical methods that help leaders at all levels overreact less to their metrics, which frees up time for real, focused, sustainable improvement.

Mark is also the author of the book Lean Hospitals: Improving Quality, Patient Safety, and Employee Engagement (Productivity Press), which was selected for a 2009 Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award, the first healthcare book to win this award. The book has been translated into eight languages.

Mark has also co-authored a second book, titled Healthcare Kaizen: Engaging Front-Line Staff in Sustainable Continuous Improvements, also a Shingo Research Award recipient. A newly revised and condensed edition, The Executive Guide to Healthcare Kaizen: Leadership for a Continuously Learning and Improving Organization is also available.

He also edited and contributed to an anthology titled Practicing Lean: Learning How to Learn How to Get Better… Better, a book of reflections and lessons learned about change, growth, and Lean management written by Mark and 15 other authors from various industries.

He is the founder, lead blogger, and podcaster at LeanBlog.org, which started in January 2005. See a list of his other articles and publications. He is also a “LinkedIn Influencer,” where he contributes articles on leadership and business for a broader audience.

Also mentioned in this episode:

LeanPub.com

The Laws of Subtraction: 6 Simple Rules for Winning in the Age of Excess Everything