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In this insightful episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis dive into the third pillar of the Lean Leadership Development Model — Support Daily Kaizen. They explain how continuous improvement becomes part of everyday work, not a project or event, but a daily rhythm that strengthens teams and drives progress.

Dr. Lawless illustrates the importance of going to the Gemba — where the real work happens — to observe the process, not just the results. He emphasizes that effective leaders engage with their teams, listen first, and build trust so improvement ideas can flow freely. His practical advice: “If the idea works, it’s theirs; if it fails, it’s mine.”

George Trachilis expands on this by discussing the need for standard work, consistent routines, and daily stand‑ups. These structures help teams align, identify problems quickly, and apply the PDCA (Plan‑Do‑Check‑Act) learning cycle. Together, they reinforce that leaders succeed not by fixing problems themselves but by developing problem solvers throughout the organization.

🎯 Listeners Will Discover

💡 What “Support Daily Kaizen” really means for Lean leaders.
🏭 How to practice going to the Gemba with curiosity and respect.
🔄 How the PDCA cycle drives learning and small, daily improvements.
📋 The value of standard work and daily stand‑ups in team alignment.
🌱 Why developing people first is the ultimate goal of continuous improvement.

🎧 Listen. Learn. Lead the Kaizen Way — at LeadershipX.tv

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Saturday at 8:30 AM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv

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In this powerful episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis explore what it truly means to cultivate leaders through coaching and continuous growth.

Dr. Lawless begins with the concept of the Leadership Mirror — a challenge for every leader to look inward and ask, “Am I taking care of my people?” He reminds us that humility, respect, and accountability start by reflecting on our own behavior and choices.

George builds on this by sharing his Top Three Coaching Principles:
1️⃣ Coach each person to their true potential.
2️⃣ Coach through principles and patterns that guide growth.
3️⃣ Develop the right attitude and create space for reflection.

Together, they discuss how real leaders coach at the Gemba — the place where the work is done — and how presence, curiosity, and respect build trust and continuous improvement.

🎯 Listeners Will Discover

💡 Why every leader needs a coach — and how to find one.
🪞 How to use the “Leadership Mirror” to grow personally and professionally.
🤝 How humility and respect create real influence.
🏭 What coaching at the Gemba looks like in action.
🌱 Practical steps for developing leaders who grow others.

🔜 Next Episode Preview

In the next episode, George and Dr. Lawless explore “Supporting Daily Kaizen — How Leaders Build a Culture of Continuous Improvement.”
They reveal how small steps and confidence‑building habits inspire teams to grow every day through purposeful improvement.

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Saturday at 8:30 AM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv

Send us a text

In this episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis unpack “The Leadership Trap”—the hidden danger leaders face when they stop committing to self-development. Through personal stories, reflection, and humor, they reveal how continuous learning is the foundation of true leadership growth.

Dr. Lawless shares his lifelong pursuit of improvement, from his early days in Omaha to earning his PhD at 56, while George reflects on resisting self-development early in his career—and later finding fulfillment through the Toyota Way and mentoring others. Together, they stress that without personal growth, leadership stagnates.

Listeners will discover practical ways to stay sharp and expand their leadership capacity:

• 🌱 Reflect daily and identify areas to improve.
• 📚 Turn learning into action—apply insights from every book or course.
• 🧭 Seek mentors and coaches while becoming one for others.
• 💡 Use feedback (like the Johari Window) to deepen self-awareness.
• ⚙️ Start small at home and at work —even small acts, like improving routines or helping others, build discipline.

The hosts connect these principles to the Harada Method and the idea that true improvement begins with the self before extending to others. They close by reminding leaders that attitude drives outcomes—and that every system, including ourselves, delivers exactly the results it’s designed for.

Next Episode Preview:
Coaching others through growth — how great leaders learn to develop others effectively.

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Saturday at 8:30 AM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv