Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: Lessons from Toyota Leader Isao Yoshino on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning

by Katie Anderson, Isao Yoshino (Contribution by), John Shook (Foreword by)

Overview

Refreshing, Timeless Lessons for Those Who Care to Lead

In the international bestselling book Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn, leadership coach Katie Anderson and Toyota leader Isao Yoshino bring you a remarkable book about what it means to learn, to lead, and to care. Created through years of collaboration, this book offers their shared reflections on leadership and learning, providing readers an inspirational experience that defies generational and cultural divides.

"The only secret to Toyota is its attitude towards learning." -- Isao Yoshino

With a career that spanned nearly four decades at Toyota Motor Corporation, Isao Yoshino's stories help us understand how Toyota intentionally developed the culture of excellence for which it is renowned today, and how one person learned to lead so that he could lead to learn. Katie Anderson weaves together these heartwarming stories of personal discovery, and offers her own unique perspective on them, with the intention of helping you learn to lead and lead to learn.

Reflection is the Key to Learning

Dive into Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn to discover the power of reflection as a source for learning. Uncover never-before-published "insider stories" from pivotal moments in Toyota's history and fascinating nuances that inspired the Toyota Way. And walk away with fresh insights and excitement about people-centered leadership, organizational excellence, and yourself.

If you've ever been mentored -- in business or in life -- by someone whose words, experiences, and perspectives changed you for the better, you know that an entire book of honest reflection and deep wisdom can have a profound impact on the world. For today's business professionals -- dedicated to continuous learning and people-centered leadership -- this is that book.

Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind tapestry that will inspire both veteran and aspiring leaders to reflect and learn. It's a book for leaders of all levels, in any industry, anywhere in the world, who strive to create a culture of continuous learning and to lead with intention -- by helping others discover their best selves, while also developing themselves.

Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn is an international #1 Amazon bestseller in categories including: Organizational Change, Organizational Learning, International Business Management, Business Quality Control, and Automotive, and was a #1 new release in 2020 in categories including Business Mentoring and Coaching, Lean Management, and Industrial and Labor Relations.

Winner of the International Impact Award for Management 2021 and the Reader Views Silver Medal for Classics 2022.

-- With a Foreword by John Shook, Chairman, Lean Global Network --

"If you are seeking the next step on your own journey of leadership transformation, reading this book and living its lessons will help you become the leader you always knew you could be." -- Richard Sheridan, CEO, Menlo Innovations and Author of Joy, Inc. and Chief Joy Officer

"I encourage anyone who influences people in cultural change to embrace the shared wisdom in this book." -- Tracey Richardson, Author of The Toyota Engagement Equation

"If you're interested in lean and learning, this is an absolute must-read!" -- Michael Ballé, Co-author of The Gold Mine Trilogy and The Lean Strategy

"If you want to really understand continuous improvement ... read this book." -- Jeffrey Liker, Author of The Toyota Way

"This captivating read will make you stop and consider your own untapped reservoirs of influence, generosity of spirit, and humble leadership." -- Elisabeth Swan, Co-founder of The Just-in-Time Cafe and Co-author of The Problem-Solver's Toolkit

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781734850604
Publisher:	Integrand LLC
Publication date:	07/14/2020
Pages:	350
Sales rank:	446,623
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.73(d)

Table of Contents

Foreword 1

Letter to the Reader 7

Preface 11

Introduction 21

Isao Yoshino's Professional Timeline 37

Part I Warp Thread Stories: Purpose Shapes Us 41

First, a Dream 45

Discovering a Dream 45

A Step Toward the Known and a First Glimpse of the Discovered 46

A Vision Takes Shape Over the Radio Waves 48

Moving Toward the Known and Discovering Richer Purpose 48

Following a Purpose, Expanding a Dream 49

Growing His American "Country" Roots 50

A Clear Goal - and a Career - Takes Shape 53

Joining Toyota - A Bet on a Dream 53

Set a Goal, Make a Step-By-Step Plan, and Remain Persistent 55

Patience and Persistence 63

Another Step Forward (and Backward) 64

A Goal, More Than 20 Years in the Making Finally Achieved 65

Warp Threads Remain Strong 66

Part II Weft Thread Stories: Discovery Defines Us 69

Learning to Lead - Foundational Leadership Lessons 73

Lesson #1 Communicate Purpose, Every Day and in Every Way 76

Lesson #2 Create the Conditions for People to Be Successful (and Take Responsibility When Mistakes Happen) 83

Lesson #3 Go Out of Your Way to Help Others Learn 90

Lesson #4 Go to See and Show You Care - Leadership Starts at the Gemba 98

Lesson #5 Own the Thinking Process, Not the Thinking 105

Lesson #6 Learn What Not to Be as a Leader 111

Lesson #7 Be Curious, Always Keep Learning, Ask Questions 119

Lesson #8 Set the Tone for the Culture You Want 127

Leading to Learn - Helping Others to Develop 133

Case Study #1 Revitalizing Management Capabilities-The Kanri Noryoku Program 135

Case Study #2 Changing the Culture by Helping People Change-The NUMMI Training Program 159

Case Study #3 Focusing on the Good and Choosing Excellence-The San Francisco Liaison Office 190

Case Study #4 Helping Others Broaden Their Perspectives-The "Change Yourself" Program 202

Reflecting on Failure: Toyota's Water-Ski Boat Business 221

Phase #1 A New Target for Yoshino; Toyota Marine Sports USA 226

Phase #2 Doing His Job, But Secretly Working on a New Idea 228

Phase #3 The American Water-Ski Boat Business Launches in Rough Waters 242

Phase #4 Managing the Water-Ski Business in Florida 260

Conclusion: Looking Back and Looking Forward 287

Acknowledgments 301

Never Stop Learning 309

Go Beyond the Book 313

Keep in Touch 317

About the Author 321