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Leadership Course

Lean Leadership

Transform your leadership practices to drive sustainable organizational success.

Apr 26-28, 2027
$1,800
Register

Location:

Ann Arbor, MI

Schedule:

8:00am-4:30pm ET

Course Summary

Learning Objectives

Course Overview

Credentials

Instructional Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lean Leadership?

Lean Leadership is a management approach that empowers employees to enhance processes and build a culture of continuous improvement. It encourages collaboration, effective communication, and problem-solving to help teams improve work environments, eliminate waste, and sustain long-term organizational success.

Course Summary

Discounts

The following GoBlue pricing discounts are available and cannot be combined. Please contact us at [email protected] for a promotional code that will allow you to apply the eligible discount to your registration.

With 15 or more enrollments, you may want to consider a custom program for your organization. Please contact us to learn more about our partnership opportunities.

Once you have paid, a discount cannot be added retroactively.

THESE DISCOUNTS ARE NOT APPLICABLE FOR PARTNER PROGRAMS.

Name Details Level
Group Discount Level 1 Enroll 3-4 participants in one course offering. 5%
Group Discount Level 2 Enroll 5 or more participants in one course offering. 10%
U.S. Government Current employees with .gov email (not applicable to government contractors). 10%
U.S. Military Active duty personnel, reservists, retired or disabled veterans. 10%
Students Currently enrolled student from any university; please send photo of date-stamped student ID. 10%
Michigan Engineering Professional Education Alumni Past participants of any Michigan Engineering Professional Education certificate course. 20%
U-M Alumni U-M alumni from any school or department – please send uniqname to [email protected] for confirmation. 20%
U-M Students and Staff Current U-M students, faculty, and staff – please send uniqname to [email protected] for confirmation. 20%
Go Blue Discounts
Instruction Time Completion Time CEUs
Lean Leadership 8:00am - 4:30pm ET 3 days 2.75

Effective Lean Leadership goes beyond implementing process improvements. It requires a shift in how leaders communicate, make decisions, engage employees, and drive lasting organizational change.

In the Lean Leadership course, you will explore practical strategies to support continuous improvement across your organization. You’ll learn how to establish consistent leadership practices, strengthen team engagement, and create systems that build operational improvements over time.

Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, you’ll build the skills to become an effective Lean leader. 

Learning Objectives

  • Apply Lean methodology to foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and accountability.
  • Develop Leader Standard Work to establish consistent leadership practices and support daily operations.
  • Implement Lean management tools such as Gemba walks, 5S audits, visual management systems, and daily team huddles.
  • Strengthen essential leadership skills including communication, coaching, motivation, observation, and trust-building.
  • Apply structured problem-solving techniques to identify performance gaps and work with team members to develop sustainable improvements.
  • Create a Lean Management System that supports employee engagement, performance monitoring, and long-term organizational success.

Course Overview

Successfully implementing Lean principles requires more than improving processes. Organizations must also develop leaders who can establish and sustain a culture of continuous improvement.

This application-focused Lean Leadership workshop explores the transition from traditional command-and-control management to a more collaborative, facilitative leadership approach. Participants will learn how to establish consistent leadership practices that empower employees, improve communication, and support organizational goals.

Throughout the course, participants will develop practical tools and strategies they can apply directly to their workplaces. Key areas of focus include:

Explore the role leadership plays in shaping organizational culture and sustaining Lean improvements. Learn how facilitative leadership encourages employee engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Develop structured leadership routines that promote consistency and operational excellence. Practice techniques such as Gemba walks, 5S audits, team huddles, performance monitoring, and effective employee communication.

Learn how to build a Lean Management System (LMS) that uses Leader Standard Work (LSW) and a Visual Management System (VMS). Utilize LMS to track performance, spot improvement opportunities, and support better decisions.

Strengthen your ability to lead and develop others through effective communication, motivation, and coaching. Explore Training Within Industry (TWI) Job Instruction techniques and develop strategies to build employee skills and support team performance.

Apply structured problem-solving methods, including A3 Storyboards, to identify performance gaps and develop improvement strategies. Learn how to engage teams to address challenges and sustain results.

Who Should Attend

The Lean Leadership course is designed for:

  • Anyone in a leadership role, from supervisors and team leaders to senior executives.
  • Leaders across all industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and service organizations.
  • Professionals responsible for leading teams, improving processes, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Credentials

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Digital Certificate

Certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of this course.

Instructional Team

Drew Locher

  • Lean Specialist and Instructor, Michigan Engineering Professional Education
  • President, Change Management Associates

Drew first became involved in the development and delivery of innovative Business Improvement programs while working for General Electric in the 1980s. Since leaving GE in 1990 and forming Change Management Associates, he has provided Operational Excellence consulting and organizational development services to industrial and service organizations representing a wide variety of industries including: Healthcare, Transportation, Distribution, Education, Financial Services and Manufacturing.

Additional Information

Which industries benefit from Lean Leadership?

Lean Leadership principles can be applied across nearly every industry, including manufacturing, healthcare, engineering, and service organizations. By focusing on continuous improvement, waste reduction, and employee engagement, Lean Leadership helps organizations improve operational efficiency, strengthen team performance, and sustain long-term improvements.

Do I need experience with Lean methodology to take this course?

No, prior experience with Lean methodology is not required. This course is designed for professionals at all leadership levels, whether you’re new to Lean principles or looking to strengthen your existing leadership practices. Participants will learn practical tools and strategies to improve processes, engage teams, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

What other courses should I consider in addition to Lean Leadership?

Professionals may also be interested in Enterprise Excellence, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and Change Management.

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Get Started

For more information or answers to any questions please email [email protected] or fill out the form.