Lean Coffee Talk (formerly known as Lean Whiskey)

KPIs, Coffee Sticks, Culture, and Change: What Leaders Get Wrong About Measurement

How many KPIs are too many — and how do leaders know which metrics actually matter? Episode page [http://leanblog.org/coffee7] In Episode 7 of Lean Coffee Talk, Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh explore how organizations overload themselves with metrics, why some “red” indicators fail to drive action, and how to evaluate whether KPIs are still relevant. They also discuss the role of change management in Lean transformations, why people don’t resist change itself but fear things getting worse, and how engaging employees early leads to more sustainable improvement. Along the way, they connect lessons from Olympic controversies, construction megaprojects, coffee brewing methods, and even Starbucks stir sticks to core Lean ideas about customer value and “jobs to be done.” A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about leadership, measurement, culture, and curiosity.

System Design, Psychological Safety, and When Lean Quotas Backfire

Episode page with links, video, and more [http://leanblog.org/coffee6] In this episode, Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh respond to listener questions about system design, leadership behavior, and navigating misguided Lean requirements. They explore why some systems—like college football playoffs or improvement quotas—fail to deliver their intended results, and what leaders can do instead. Topics include cultivating psychological safety in higher education, getting Lean started when the broader organization isn’t supportive, and how to redirect “check-the-box” improvement mandates into something more meaningful. Along the way, they also cover fresh coffee beans, local roasters, AI-generated music playlists, and a low-key holiday performance by Brandi Carlile—because culture matters too.

Ask Us Anything: Submit Your Lean, Leadership & Culture Questions ☕

💡 Submit your question (and maybe win a Lean Coffee Talk mug!) at: LeanBlog.org/coffeequestions [https://LeanBlog.org/coffeequestions] In this short bonus episode of Lean Coffee Talk, hosts Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh share an invitation for you to help shape future conversations. They’re asking for your toughest, most thought-provoking questions about Lean, leadership, culture, and continuous improvement — the ones without easy answers. Mark and Jamie will select some listener questions to feature in upcoming episodes and share their perspectives on each. Whether you’re a Lean practitioner, leader, or curious learner, your question could spark a conversation that helps others, too. Hosts: Mark Graban — LeanBlog.org [https://www.leanblog.org] Jamie Flinchbaugh — JFlinch.com [http://admin5.podbean.com]

From Miss Piggy to Spinal Tap, and Will Starbucks Discover Customer Value?

In Season 2, Episode 5, Mark Graban [http://markgraban.com/] and Jamie Flinchbaugh [https://jflinch.com/] are going back in time (apologies to Huey Lewis and the News) to the 1990s and examining companies that were iconic then and trying to find new ground today. But we start with coffee mugs - our most vintage mugs. A coffee mug can make coffee better, or ruin it, or bring back memories. The vessel may not be more important than what’s in it, but it’s up there. And this is our first, but perhaps not our last, Miss Piggy reference.  Episode page with video and more [http://leanblog.org/coffee5] http://leanblog.org/coffee5 Before we delve into AOL finally ending its dial-up service, we take a deep dive into Starbucks’ new CEO and his efforts to revive the brand. Both the substance and the approach to decision-making matter here. On the approach, making too many decisions at the top can undermine those you’re asking to make their decisions, but the right decisions in the right way can break things loose or shift your culture.  However, this also raises the question of what Starbucks customers value and how to consistently deliver that value. There are many systematic barriers put in the way of baristas trying to deliver value. Will Starbucks and its CEO remove those barriers and find value? We will see (or at least their customers will).  We wrap up sharing our experiences with jazz flutist Frank Wess and the new movie "Spinal Tap II."  Links From the Show: * MiiR carafe [https://www.miir.com/products/new-standard-carafe?variant=40280199823434]  - via Amazon [https://amzn.to/3KjMY0b] * WSJ on Starbucks' [https://www.wsj.com/business/earnings/starbucks-earnings-q3-sbux-stock-382db7ae?st=2TE3Bp&reflink=article_email_share] efforts to reestablish its customer value  * And their efforts to get baristas to smile [https://www.wsj.com/business/hospitality/starbucks-barista-training-sales-b1f11395?mod=Searchresults&pos=1&page=1]  * AOL shuts down dial-up [https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/08/11/AOL-dial-up-internet-shut-down/2071754915625/] * The Machine That Changed The World [https://amzn.to/42NCkFc] * MACI [https://www.michauto.com/]  * Improvement Nerds Podcast with Mark [https://www.thegreendotgroup.com/s2-e13-mark-graban-podcast-episode/] * Jazz artist Frank Wess on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO0RClUg] * Spinal Tap II: The End Continues [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20222166/fullcredits/]   * Podcast feed at LeanCoffeeTalk.com [https://www.leanblog.org/leanwhiskey/] or jflinch.com/leancoffeetalk [http://jflinch.com/leancoffeetalk] * Please review us and follow! Please review us and follow or subscribe [http://leanwhiskey.com/] on your favorite podcast platform!

Daily Coffee and Productivity Routines, Crossover Event with the Just-in-Time Cafe

In Episode 4 (Season 2), Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh are joined by the hosts of the Just-in-Time Cafe podcast, Elisabeth Swan and Tracy O’Rourke. This is the second joint episode, the first being episode 45 of Lean Whiskey. In part, we celebrate the launch of Tracy and Elisabeth’s new book, the 2nd edition of "The Problem-Solver’s Toolkit," which we discuss on the show.  We talk quite a bit about our respective daily routines, beginning with how coffee fits into our day. This includes peaceful time, walk time, time with family, and time for health. Coffee fits in many different ways. And once again, Jamie sounds like Paul Giamatti in the movie Sideways in his avoidance of Starbucks. We also share our personal routines that help us stay focused and productive. There are different flavors and tools, but there are definitely some common themes across the group that prioritize our calendars and our to-do priorities over our email inbox.  Episode page with video and more [http://leanblog.org/coffee4] In a meta discussion about podcasts during a podcast, we talk about the trend towards longer podcasts and video podcasts, as the NY Times covered. It is only a coincidence that this episode went a bit longer as well. We explore this trend, why it exists despite some contrary trends, and how we prefer consuming podcasts as well. We finish as always with our cultural shares, ranging from Charlie Brown to Brad Pitt.