In this episode of Lean Blog Interviews, Mark Graban welcomes Roberto Priolo, the Managing Editor of Planet Lean, the publication of the Lean Global Network. Based in Barcelona, Roberto has a background in journalism and extensive experience in covering Lean and continuous improvement topics. Mark and Roberto discuss the upcoming Lean Global Connection event, happening on November 21st and 22nd, 2024, which is a free, 24-hour virtual event designed to bring together the global Lean community.

Episode page with transcript, video, and more

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Origins of the Lean Global Connection Event: Roberto explains how the event began during the pandemic as a way to connect Lean practitioners worldwide when in-person gatherings were impossible. Now in its fourth year, the event continues to thrive, attracting speakers and attendees from over 120 countries.


• What to Expect at the 2024 Event: This year’s theme, “Developing Adaptiveness in a Changing World,” addresses how Lean can help organizations navigate complex challenges like supply chain disruptions, geopolitical issues, and emerging technologies like AI. The event will feature nearly 100 presentations, spanning 24 hours, with thought leaders sharing real-world case studies, insights, and best practices.


• Speakers and Presentations: Mark and Roberto highlight key speakers such as Art Byrne, Jim Womack, John Shook, and many others from around the world. The event will also include external voices to help contextualize Lean’s relevance in a broader geopolitical and business landscape.


• Psychological Safety in Lean: Mark shares details about his presentation, which will focus on psychological safety as a foundation for continuous improvement. He will explore how creating environments where employees feel safe to speak up about problems and ideas is crucial for effective Kaizen and strategy deployment.


• The Lean Social Side: Roberto emphasizes the importance of the "social side" of Lean, which often gets overlooked in favor of technical tools. He stresses the need for reinforcing this message continually within the Lean community to ensure organizations foster environments that prioritize human interaction and psychological safety.

Additional Insights:

• The Event Format: The Lean Global Connection is designed as a global festival of Lean thinking, running for 24 hours straight, with two stages running simultaneously. Attendees can join at any time and catch up later with recorded sessions available on the Lean Global Network YouTube channel.


• Roberto’s Lean Journey: Roberto shares his journey from studying journalism in London to becoming a central figure in the Lean community, managing Planet Lean and contributing to the Lean Global Network’s mission of spreading Lean thinking.

How to Join:

Register for the free Lean Global Connection event here. Mark your calendar for November 21st and 22nd, and be sure to check out previous years’ presentations on the Lean Global Network YouTube channel for a taste of what’s to come.

Resources Mentioned:

• Planet Lean website: Link to Planet Lean


• Lean Global Network YouTube channel: Link to YouTube Channel


• Event Registration: Link to Event Page

Tune in for this exciting conversation with Roberto Priolo to learn more about how the Lean Global Connection continues to bring the world’s Lean community together and what to expect in this year’s event.