Episode 27: Managing on Purpose with Mark Reich
On this episode of Quality Time with MoreSteam, host Dan Swartwout talks with Mark Reich. Mark is Senior Lean Coach at the Lean Enterprise Institute and author of the new book, Managing On Purpose. Mark’s book is a practical guide to Hoshin Kanri, a strategy deployment system that combines long-term vision with day-to-day execution. Managing On Purpose features step-by-step tools and a detailed case study to help organizations align strategy with action while developing their leaders.
Mark shares stories from his career, including his time managing Toyota’s corporate strategic planning for North America. He explains how tools like “catchball” and “obeya” help organizations foster collaboration and track progress effectively. Mark also emphasizes the importance of leadership behaviors in creating a culture where problems are opportunities for growth.
This episode is packed with insights on strategy deployment, leadership development, and creating purpose-driven organizations. Don’t miss this fun, informative conversation with one of Lean's most experienced practitioners.
In this episode, you will hear about:
1:48 - Mark’s background
5:34 - Working for Toyota in Japan
7:28 - The Toyota Supplier Support Center (now the Toyota Production Systems Support Center)
9:49 - Writing Managing on Purpose
12:40 - An introduction to Hoshin Kanri
18:04 - PDCA (Plan. Do. Check. Act.)
20:43 - Understanding problems at the Gemba
24:11 - The concept of Obeya
28:48 - The concept of Catchball
34:04 - Value-creating work versus non-value-creating work
37:34 - Hoshin Kanri and leadership
40:10 - Initial feedback to Managing on Purpose
42:30 - The changing business environment
46:02 - The opportunity for everybody to innovate
49:02 - Mark’s next project
Additional Resources:
Mark Reich at the Lean Enterprise Institute
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Host • MoreSteam
Dan Swartwout is the host of Quality Time with MoreSteam. A lifelong Central Ohio resident, Dan is a double Buckeye. He earned both a BA and a law degree from The Ohio State University. Before joining MoreSteam, Dan had a long career as a host, comedian, and master of ceremonies. For 17 years, Dan was the studio audience host for the Ohio Lottery game show Cash Explosion. Dan was also the host of CBuzz, which was a collaboration between the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, WWCD 92.9, and the Columbus Dispatch. On CBuzz, Dan interviewed some of the most prominent entrepreneurs in Central Ohio. From 2002-2020, Dan toured the country as a standup comedian. Tracks from his comedy CD have been played over 5,000 times on Sirius/XM satellite radio. Now, Dan brings his experience and enthusiasm to Quality Time with MoreSteam -- it's business and fun, together.
Senior Lean Coach and Author • Lean Enterprise Institute
Mark Reich spent 23 years at Toyota, beginning in Japan in 1988, where he worked in Product Planning during the critical launch of Lexus. In 1994, he returned to the U.S. to join the Toyota Supplier Support Center (TSSC), helping apply the Toyota Production System (TPS) across industries—including healthcare and nonprofits.
In 2011, Mark joined the Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI), serving as COO and now as Senior Coach and Chief Engineer, Strategy. He has led lean transformations and coached executives in hoshin kanri across companies such as GE Appliances, Michigan Medicine, and Turner Construction.
Mark holds a degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and studied Japanese at Nanzan University. He is fluent in Japanese. (Bio adapted from: https://www.lean.org/about-lei/faculty/mark-reich/)
