Do the Right Thing: Japanese Management Masterclass Part 1 with Tim Wolput

If you’ve ever wanted a masterclass on Japanese management and Toyota Way principles—and how you can apply these lessons to create a culture of excellence—this episode with Tim Wolput is for you! #toyotaway #japanesemanagement #cultureofexcellence How much of the Toyota Way is dependent on Japanese culture? And how much of it all comes down to… being human? There are questions I’ve explored with 130+ global leaders who’ve joined my Japan Leadership Experience programs. And to help you answer the question too, I’ve invited Tim Wolput – Japanologist and Toyota Way Management expert, to Chain of Learning. Together, we take a deep (and fun!) dive into the differences between classical Japanese and Western management and explore the cultural and historical roots of real lean leadership. One of the biggest myths that I debunked when I moved to Japan for 2-years: Toyota culture is NOT the same as Japanese culture. Yet, deeply understanding the roots of Japanese culture and management practices has enriched my understanding of the principles, behaviors, and methods fundamental to Toyota’s success – and has helped me more effectively translate these principles into other cultures and organizations and help their leaders do the same. In this episode (Part 1), we travel through Japanese history—from Confucius’ teachings to samurai and rice farming traditions, and Deming’s influence on Japanese management. Fundamentally, lean leadership is not just about process improvement. It’s about doing the right thing, focusing on process and people, and leading through influence, not power. In this episode you’ll learn: ✅ Misconceptions about the Toyota Way management practices and applying the principles across cultures ✅ Deming’s influence on Japan and the development of the Toyota Production System and Toyota Way ✅ The way of the samurai: Focus on the process, not just the outcome ✅ Shu-ha-ri: The process towards mastery and turning knowledge into wisdom by learning through doing ✅ The power of leading through influence and “doing the right thing”: true leadership inspires growth, not just results Don’t miss Part 2, where we continue along this path of learning to explore the nuances of Japanese concepts like kata and obeya and their relationship to lean management practices today. If you’ve ever wanted a masterclass on Japanese management and Toyota Way principles—and how you can apply these lessons to create a culture of excellence—these two episodes (part 1 and part 2) are a must-listen. ABOUT MY GUEST: Tim Wolput is a Japanologist and Toyota Way Management expert passionate about helping people transform themselves, their organizations, and the world for the better. Since 2023 Tim has been my in-country partner for my immersive Japan Leadership Experiences. Originally from Belgium, Tim has lived in Japan since 1999 where he attended Tokyo University Graduate School where he studied the history of traditional Japanese mathematics. He is also the 2005 World Champion in Aikido. Tim is a certified Toyota Way Management System instructor and consultant to global organizations on Lean, Agile, and Toyota Production System (TPS). IMPORTANT LINKS: 🔗 Full episode show notes: https://www.ChainOfLearning.com/42 🔗 Connect with Tim Wolput:   / timwolput   🔗 Check out my website for resources and working together: https://www.KBJAnderson.com 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn:   / kbjanderson   🔗 Learn about my Japan Leadership Experience program: https://www.KBJAnderson.com/JapanTrip RELATED CHAIN OF LEARNING PODCAST EPISODES: 📌 Episode 24 | Deming’s Journey to Profound Knowledge with John Willis https://www.ChainOfLearning.com/24 📌 Episode 35 | Stuck in the Middle? How Embracing Both-And Thinking Drives Results with Wendy Smith https://www.ChainOfLearning.com/35 📌 Episode 4 | Leading for Impact: The Power of Being Over Doing https://www.ChainOfLearning.com/4 🎙 Listen to the transformational takeaways from participating in my Japan Leadership Experience: 💬 Hear from guests Brad Toussaint, Patrick Adams, and Stephanie Bursek https://www.KBJAnderson.com/JapanTrip TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction 03:53  Biggest misconceptions Westerners have about Toyota Way management practices 05:10 Katie’s perspective on differences between  Japan and the west 08:46 The meaning of Shu Ha Ri and the traditional way of learning 10:23 Deming’s influence on Japan and how it influenced The Toyota Way 13:05  Why Japan embraced PDCA 15:45 Difference in mindset between Asia and the west 17:28 The working culture in Japan and how work together in the community 22:17 Power of the supplier relationship 23:40 Japanese leadership style 29:15 Concept of doing the right thing 30:56  How to focus on processes as the way to get results 34:13 Powerful words of wisdom about the way of the samurai