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In this episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, hosts Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis dive deep into the concept of True North values. True North values serve as a moral and operational compass, helping leaders and teams make decisions that align with the organization’s mission and vision.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

1. What Are True North Values?
   • True North values are the fixed points that keep a company focused on what truly matters.
   • They represent the company’s purpose, direction, and integrity, helping teams stay aligned and energized.
   • George and Tom emphasize the importance of defining these values clearly to ensure they guide daily decisions and behaviors.
2. The Mission, Vision, and Values Trifecta
   • Mission: Why the organization exists (e.g., Toyota’s mission is “producing happiness for all”).
   • Vision: What the organization aims to achieve (e.g., Toyota’s vision is “creating mobility for all”).
   • Values: The principles that guide decision-making (e.g., Toyota’s pillars: respect for people and continuous improvement).
   • George highlights the critical role of action-oriented verbs like “producing” and “creating” to set the right mindset for teams.
3. Toyota’s Approach to Values
   • Toyota’s two foundational pillars:
     • Respect for People: Includes teamwork and respect for individuals, encouraging personal growth and collaboration.
     • Continuous Improvement: Involves principles like Genchi Genbutsu (go and see), Kaizen (improvement), and challenge.
   • George shares insights from his trip to Japan, where Toyota’s values were broken down into actionable components that leaders could easily apply.
4. Practical Applications of True North Values
   • Keep values simple and memorable—typically no more than 5-7 core values.
   • Align meetings, behaviors, and goals with these values to ensure they are lived daily.
   • George shares his example of introducing “respect for time” as a core value in a manufacturing company, which transformed how meetings were conducted and decisions were made.
5. From True North to Magnetic North
   • George proposes reframing “True North” as “Magnetic North”—a concept that reflects the natural pull leaders create to inspire and align their teams.
   • Magnetic North values act as a force that draws the organization in the right direction, creating consistency and momentum.
6. Implementing True North Values
   • Start by defining what your organization stands for, no matter what.
   • Turn values into daily behaviors and align all goals and decisions with those values.
   • Lead by example—leaders must embody the values they expect from their teams.
   • Constantly communicate, reinforce, and adjust as needed to ensure alignment.

Memorable Insights and Stories:

• The role of dignity, voice, and worth in creating a culture of respect for people.
• Lessons from Toyota leaders, including insights into how they prioritize gratitude and teamwork.
• The importance of going to the gemba (the place where work happens) to connect with teams, observe problems, and inspire continuous improvement.

True North values aren’t just static ideas—they are the foundation for creating a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.

Next Week’s Episode:

Join us next week as Tom and George explore the topic of Commit to Self-Development as a Leader. They’ll discuss why personal growth is essential for leadership success and how to build a habit of continuous learning.

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Podcast Description: Episode 3 – Aligning Goals to Your Vision

In this episode of Leadership Excellence, hosts George Trachilis and Tom Lawless explore the critical topic of aligning your team’s goals with your company’s vision. Through real-world examples and proven strategies, they provide actionable insights for leaders who want to build clarity, eliminate confusion, and create a unified path to success.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. The Power of Alignment: Discover why aligning team goals with your organization’s vision is essential to eliminate competing priorities and foster a unified direction.
2. Simplify Metrics: Learn how to reduce complexity by focusing on fewer, meaningful metrics that drive better decision-making and results.
3. Tools for Success: Gain insights into practical tools like A3 thinking and the Open Windows 64 (OW64) chart, which help align goals, solve problems, and bring your vision to life.

Highlights from the Episode:

• How Shohei Ohtani’s use of the OW64 chart as a teenager highlights the importance of setting big goals and breaking them into actionable steps.
• Real-world examples from George’s experience in aerospace, where simplifying metrics transformed performance across divisions.
• Why A3 thinking is more than just a tool—it’s a disciplined approach to problem-solving that ensures alignment from vision to results.

Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this episode will provide you with the strategies and tools to align your team’s goals with your vision and achieve extraordinary results.

Listen now to learn how to lead your team with clarity, focus, and purpose!

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The Leadership Excellence Podcast

Episode Title: Creating a Vision
Hosts: George and Tom

Key Discussion Points

1. Introduction

• George and Tom open the podcast with a discussion about the importance of vision in leadership and organizations.
• Mention of using AI to enhance processes, with a teaser for an announcement at the end of the episode.

2. What is a Vision?

• A vision is the ideal state of what a company or individual wants to achieve in the long-term.
• Discussion on the balance between being narrow enough to focus and broad enough to inspire.
• Japanese companies often think in terms of 50-100 years, showcasing their long-term focus.

3. Personal Vision

• George: Aims to unlock untapped human potential in every interaction.
• Tom: Focuses on creating a better environment for leaders and people.
• Importance of wanting to achieve something versus being forced to do it.
  • Example: Productivity is higher when employees want to accomplish goals rather than feeling obligated.

4. Ikigai (Japanese Concept)

• Explanation of Ikigai: The intersection of:
  • What you love.
  • What you're good at.
  • What you can get paid for.
  • What the world needs.
• The hosts emphasize the value of finding one's purpose and aligning it with their vision.

5. Challenges in Creating a Vision

• Companies often focus solely on monetary goals, but a deeper purpose is necessary.
• Vision must go beyond profits to motivate employees and align efforts.
• Example: IKEA’s vision: “To create a better everyday life for people.”
  • Subgoal: Achieve 100% circular business by 2030 (recycling, reusing materials).

6. Simple, Memorable Visions

• Example: GC Dental’s vision, “No pain dentistry,” which inspired employees and drove clarity in their goals.
• Importance of a vision being clear, concise, and inspiring enough for employees to rally behind it.

7. Practical Steps to Create a Vision

• Close your eyes, reflect, and deeply think about what you want for yourself and others.
• Include others in your vision to build shared ownership.
• Evaluate your company's current state:
  • What went well last year?
  • What didn’t go well, and why?

8. Examples of Vision Creation

• Norman Bodek’s Approach:
  • Start by listing 50 things you’re proud of or grateful for.
  • Visualize achieving your vision and think about what’s next.
• Open Window 64 Chart:
  • Place a central goal in the middle, surrounded by 8 focus areas.
  • Expand each focus area into subgoals, creating 64 actionable goals.
  • Example: Marketing as a focus area can have subgoals like improving campaigns or customer outreach.

9. Lessons from Business Failures

• Kodak Example: Missed the opportunity to adapt to digital photography due to rigid paradigms.
• Swiss Watchmakers Example: Lost business to competitors after dismissing digital watches as unimportant.
• Lesson: Stay open to change and innovation.

10. Final Thoughts

• Vision must be:
  • Memorable.
  • Achievable.
  • Aligned with employees’ goals and motivations.
• Paradigms can limit growth—stay adaptable and open to learning.
• Japanese philosophy: “Keep your cup right side up,” meaning always be open to new ideas.

Next Episode Teaser

• Topic: Aligning goals to your vision and crea

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In this debut episode of Leadership Excellence, Tom and George dive into the core question: What is leadership?

Welcome to the very first episode of Leadership Excellence with Tom and George! In this debut episode, Tom Lawless and George Trachilis dive deep into the heart of leadership, exploring what it truly means to lead.

They define leadership not as authority or control, but as taking care of people. But what does “taking care of people” really mean? Through engaging dialogue, Tom and George unpack the essence of leadership as guiding, motivating, and developing individuals to become their best selves. They discuss the importance of fostering integrity, character, and self-development, both in leaders and their teams.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Defining leadership as a role of influence, not dependency.
• The foundations of leadership, including building a culture of ethics, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Why everyone has the capability to lead and how recognizing this potential can transform organizations.
• Insights from leadership giants like Shingo and Deming, including lessons on compassion, moral responsibility, and going to “gemba” (the place where value is created).
• Why modern leaders must embrace AI and innovation to stay relevant and inspire their teams.

This episode sets the stage for future discussions on vision, behavior, and practical tools for leadership development. It’s packed with wisdom from decades of experience, personal anecdotes, and actionable takeaways for aspiring and seasoned leaders alike.

Join us as we begin this journey to uncover the true meaning of leadership and how to achieve excellence in every aspect of it.

Next Week’s Episode Teaser:
We’ll explore the concept of vision—what it means to create a vision, how to inspire others with it, and how to use tools like AI to bring it to life. Don’t miss it!

Who is George Trachilis?

An accomplished leader, author, and Lean expert, George Trachilis brings decades of experience in coaching, consulting, and driving organizational transformation across a global stage. As the founder of the Lean Leadership Institute and a recipient of the prestigious Shingo Research Award, George has dedicated his career to developing leaders at all levels, fostering continuous improvement, and aligning businesses with their strategic goals. With a proven track record of success in engineering, supply chain management, and leadership development, George excels at creating innovative solutions, building high-performing teams, and inspiring excellence in individuals and organizations alike.

Who is Dr. Tom Lawless?

Dr. Tom Lawless is an accomplished Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and operations leader with over 30 years of experience transforming organizations in healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and finance. With advanced degrees in Business Administration (PhD, MBA) and Civil Engineering (MCE), he combines strategic vision with technical expertise to deliver measurable results.

As President of Lean Training and Consulting (LeanTAC), Dr. Lawless has optimized processes, implemented Lean Six Sigma frameworks, and coached organizations to achieve excellence. A retired U.S. Army Major and recipient of the Army Bronze Star, he led critical supply chain improvements during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Dr. Lawless is also an adjunct professor at Nebraska Methodist College and a published author, known for his ability to drive operational excellence, align teams with strategic goals, and deliver sustainable improvements.