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About Me
Darren Harbst
Darren Harbst has over 35 years of leadership experience and over 23 years of Lean Transformation experience in Manufacturing, Distribution and Healthcare. He spent over 12 years in the US Army as a Commissioned Officer and served in 2 combat deployments to the Middle East. After his military service, Darren has held various leadership positions from front line team leader to Senior Vice President of Operations for a Global Distribution and Manufacturing company. He has delivered breakthrough business results by focusing on developing leaders in the fundamentals of change management and lean continuous improvement.
Darren learned the lean transformation approach to continuous improvement over his 9 years at Danaher - one of the most well known and recognized Lean Manufacturing organizations in the US. He was certified as a Master Blackbelt in various Lean tools while he worked at Danaher. After working at Danaher, Darren jumped at the opportunity to go into Healthcare to refine his Lean Transformation skills in a different industry. In the Primary Care setting, using his Lean Transformation and Leadership skills, Darren was directly involved in developing a "Care Model" for a Family Medicine Practice that was subsequently spread across the entire Primary Care portion of the 2nd largest privately held Healthcare company in the US. Recently, he has implemented a Lean Transformation at a global distribution company while also setting up a manufacturing operation from scratch in Vietnam.
Darren's approach is simple - focus on developing the Leaders of the organization in critical leadership skills and lean transformation fundamentals, and then coach them as they teach their teams to drive continuous improvements as self-directed teams that are empowered to solve problems for themselves. Darren focuses 80% of his time on the leadership and only 15-20% of his time on the lean tools - this is what makes him unique as a Lean Leadership Coach.
Darren Harbst has over 35 years of leadership experience and over 23 years of Lean Transformation experience in Manufacturing, Distribution and Healthcare. He spent over 12 years in the US Army as a Commissioned Officer and served in 2 combat deployments to the Middle East. After his military service, Darren has held various leadership positions from front line team leader to Senior Vice President of Operations for a Global Distribution and Manufacturing company. He has delivered breakthrough business results by focusing on developing leaders in the fundamentals of change management and lean continuous improvement.
Darren learned the lean transformation approach to continuous improvement over his 9 years at Danaher - one of the most well known and recognized Lean Manufacturing organizations in the US. He was certified as a Master Blackbelt in various Lean tools while he worked at Danaher. After working at Danaher, Darren jumped at the opportunity to go into Healthcare to refine his Lean Transformation skills in a different industry.
In the Primary Care setting, using his Lean Transformation and Leadership skills, Darren was directly involved in developing a "Care Model" for a Family Medicine Practice that was subsequently spread across the entire Primary Care portion of the 2nd largest privately held Healthcare company in the US. Recently, he has implemented a Lean Transformation at a global distribution company while also setting up a manufacturing operation from scratch in Vietnam.
Darren's approach is simple - focus on developing the Leaders of the organization in critical leadership skills and lean transformation fundamentals, and then coach them as they teach their teams to drive continuous improvements as self-directed teams that are empowered to solve problems for themselves. Darren focuses 80% of his time on the leadership and only 15-20% of his time on the lean tools - this is what makes him unique as a Lean Leadership Coach.
About Me
Darren Harbst
Darren Harbst has over 35 years of leadership experience and over 23 years of Lean Transformation experience in Manufacturing, Distribution and Healthcare. He spent over 12 years in the US Army as a Commissioned Officer and served in 2 combat deployments to the Middle East. After his military service, Darren has held various leadership positions from front line team leader to Senior Vice President of Operations for a Global Distribution and Manufacturing company. He has delivered breakthrough business results by focusing on developing leaders in the fundamentals of change management and lean continuous improvement.
Darren learned the lean transformation approach to continuous improvement over his 9 years at Danaher - one of the most well known and recognized Lean Manufacturing organizations in the US. He was certified as a Master Blackbelt in various Lean tools while he worked at Danaher. After working at Danaher, Darren jumped at the opportunity to go into Healthcare to refine his Lean Transformation skills in a different industry. In the Primary Care setting, using his Lean Transformation and Leadership skills, Darren was directly involved in developing a "Care Model" for a Family Medicine Practice that was subsequently spread across the entire Primary Care portion of the 2nd largest privately held Healthcare company in the US. Recently, he has implemented a Lean Transformation at a global distribution company while also setting up a manufacturing operation from scratch in Vietnam.
Darren's approach is simple - focus on developing the Leaders of the organization in critical leadership skills and lean transformation fundamentals, and then coach them as they teach their teams to drive continuous improvements as self-directed teams that are empowered to solve problems for themselves. Darren focuses 80% of his time on the leadership and only 15-20% of his time on the lean tools - this is what makes him unique as a Lean Leadership Coach.
- Mark H., Leadership Coach
- Sandra W., Health Coach
- Ryan P., Mindset Coach
- Noah Z., Business Coach
- Taylor J., Performance Coach
- Jessica P., Life Design Coach
Blog
To thrive in a lean transformation, you and your team need to master five critical leadership competencies. From visionary leadership to problem-solving skills, each competency plays a vital role in steering your organization toward success. But what exactly are these competencies, and how can they be honed to ensure a smooth transition towards a lean culture?
In this blog, we will explore the top five competencies that will set you on the path to triumph in your lean transformation journey.
A successful lean implementation requires some key strategic moves. Firstly, you need to set a clear vision and goals to keep everyone on the same page.
Cultivating a culture of constant enhancement encourages your team to actively seek out and remove waste. Offering adequate training and resources equips your employees with the tools they need to thrive in this new environment, boosting their confidence and commitment.
Keep the lines of communication open and transparent to address any concerns or resistance. Lastly, create a way to measure your progress using key performance indicators. This lets you understand what's working and what's not, so you can make informed decisions.
These strategic imperatives are your roadmap to successful lean adoption!
The current business landscape demands efficiency and improvement, which makes lean principles more relevant than ever. The pace of change means businesses must act swiftly to stay competitive, and lean methodologies are a great way to streamline processes and improve productivity.
Technology also plays a huge role in today's lean landscape, with data and automation aiding decision-making and real-time monitoring. The rise of remote work means lean implementation must now consider virtual collaboration and agile leadership.
Adapting to these digital and workstyle changes is essential for businesses to stay relevant and leverage the full potential of lean practices.
Leading a Lean transformation demands more than just technical know-how; it requires a specific set of leadership competencies that empower teams, foster innovation, and drive sustainable change.
Visionary leadership is a critical ingredient in a successful lean transformation. It's up to you to set a clear and exciting vision for your organization's future, one that keeps your team engaged and motivated.
This means communicating the big picture and helping employees see how their roles fit into it. When you encourage imagination, welcome new ideas, and challenge the norms, you create a culture of improvement and learning.
It's this leadership approach that inspires and empowers your team to take ownership of their work and strive for the shared vision.
Being skilled in change management is vital for leaders steering their organizations through lean transformations. Your role is to clearly communicate the need for change, gain the support of your team, and manage any resistance that might pop up.
Transparency and honest communication are your tools for keeping everyone on board and engaged. Listening to your team's worries and responding to them openly helps build and maintain trust.
It's this proficiency in managing change that keeps the transformation process running smoothly.
Problem-solving skills are a must-have for leaders during lean transformations. It's your job to spot issues, analyze data, and implement lasting solutions, all while keeping a calm head.
In the lean context, problem-solving is about more than just reacting to problems; it's about proactively seeking out improvements. Use structured methods like the PDCA cycle and value stream mapping to systematically tackle challenges.
Encourage your team to join in the problem-solving process, which taps into the collective genius of your employees and drives innovation. This collaborative approach is a powerful tool!
Coaching and mentorship from leaders are a key part of a successful lean transformation. Your team looks to you for guidance and support as they adjust to new methods and ways of thinking.
By offering ongoing feedback and help, you can empower your employees to adapt and thrive in a lean environment. Effective coaching requires you to be a good listener, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and offer constructive feedback for growth.
This leadership style fosters an encouraging environment where your team can develop and flourish.
Resilience and persistence are your secret weapons as a leader of lean transformation. When the going gets tough, these qualities keep you and your team moving forward.
Being resilient means you can handle setbacks and challenges while staying committed to your goals. This determination and endurance inspire your team and give them the motivation to keep pushing.
When you remain steadfast, your team sees that determination and is more likely to stick with you through any tough times. These leadership traits are essential for success!
Mastering Lean transformation requires more than just adopting Lean tools and techniques—it demands exemplary leadership. By cultivating these five key competencies—visionary leadership, change management proficiency, problem-solving capability, coaching and mentorship, and a continuous improvement mindset—you can empower your team to successfully navigate the complexities of Lean transformation.
Focusing on personal development can significantly impact lean transformation success. By enhancing your skills and mindset, you'll better adapt to change, foster continuous improvement, and lead your team effectively through the challenges of a lean transformation.
In lean adoption, company culture sets the tone. Your team's values, communication, and collaboration directly impact the success of the transformation. Embrace a culture that values continuous improvement and empowers individuals to drive change.
Yes, leadership competencies can be learned. By actively practicing skills like communication, problem-solving, and decision-making, you can develop your leadership abilities over time. Continuous learning and self-improvement are key to growth.
