Your Lean coach should ask questions, not write essays
Mar 08, 2026 3:31 pm
The Mistakes That Make Us is a recipient of the Shingo Publication Award from the Shingo Institute!
Hi :
Here's something odd about AI coaching tools: they're all trained to be maximally helpful, which means the moment you ask a question, they give you the longest, most comprehensive answer they can generate. Sounds reasonable.
But think about what a good coach actually does. A good coach makes you do the thinking. They ask a question. They wait. They ask a sharper question. The value isn't in what they tell you -- it's in what they help you figure out for yourself.
Every other AI tool has the same instinct: prove how smart it is by talking. The Lean Hospitals Coach does something that feels almost counterintuitive. You bring it a problem, and instead of a 500-word essay, it asks you a question back. "What are you seeing?" or "What does the data show?" or "Have you tested that assumption?"
This is uncomfortable at first. We're trained to expect answers from technology.
But the discomfort is the point. That's where the learning happens.
We recently switched the coaching engine from ChatGPT to Claude (Anthropic's model), and the reason is instructive. It wasn't about raw intelligence. It was about discipline. Claude turned out to be better at restraining itself -- asking before telling, staying concise, not rushing to prove it knows things. In coaching, the ability to hold back is more valuable than the ability to elaborate.
A few other things worth knowing: the coach catches it when you blame people instead of examining the system. It walks you through the Improvement Kata one question at a time instead of summarizing all four at once. It adjusts its depth based on your role. You can use it in any language and it responds in kind. Small things that change how the conversation feels, which changes whether you actually use it.
Here's my challenge. Take a real problem from your work -- something you're actually stuck on. Ask ChatGPT or Gemini. Then ask the Lean Hospitals Coach the same question. Don't evaluate which answer is better. Notice which one made you think harder.
Join as a Founding Member at leanhospitalsbook.com/coach -- founding pricing won't last, and members get unlimited coaching conversations across all modes.
Not ready to commit? Try a free demo at leanhospitalsbook.com/start/ and see for yourself.
Come Learn in Japan With Me This September!
I’ve partnered with two highly experienced bilingual guides to design a Lean Healthcare Accelerator Tour—a curated, small-group experience explicitly built for executives and senior leaders who want to go beyond tools and learn from some of Japan’s top Lean hospitals and improvement leaders.
This isn’t just a tour. It’s an accelerator—designed to help you bring powerful, practical insights back to your organization.
🧭 Site visits to hospitals, manufacturers, and TPS experts
🧠 Facilitated learning and deep reflection (with me and other attendees)
🎌 All logistics, translation, and local travel included
👉 Read the full post and details here:
Join Me in Japan: A Lean Healthcare Accelerator Experience
To learn more about the planned itinerary, cost, and other details, please reply to this email. Early bird and group rate pricing options are available.
Let's Work Together
As we get further into the new, I have room to take on a few new coaching and advisory clients.
If you're leading change and grappling with challenges like:
- A Lean journey that feels stalled or surface-level
- Teams that hold back instead of speaking up
- Metrics that create noise instead of clarity
- Improvements that fade instead of taking hold
- A culture that talks about learning—but rarely follows through
You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Through virtual coaching, I work with leaders across industries to strengthen psychological safety, build a true culture of continuous improvement, and lead with greater clarity and confidence—even when the path forward isn’t obvious.
If you’re ready to make meaningful progress in 2026, let’s talk.
Also in this update:
- 🌍 New language editions: Italian Kindle eBook now available, plus Spanish print, eBook, and audiobook
- 🎥 Explore my Mistake-Proofing course via TKMG Academy
- 🎧 Listen to a free sample of the audiobook for The Mistakes That Make Us
I'd Love to Help You — Virtually or On-Site
I'm open to working with you, either virtually or on-site.
If I can help your team or organization as:
- A speaker,
- A virtual coach,
- A workshop leader, or
- A consultant,
... please let me know. You can reply to this email or schedule a call to discuss your needs and situation — and how I might be able to help.
I can also do a similar session for organizations in other industries!
New Languages for The Mistakes That Make Us
🌍 Available in Italian!
The Kindle eBook edition of Gli errori che ci rendono ciò che siamo is now available on Amazon. This Italian translation brings the book’s message to a wider audience—highlighting how embracing mistakes can drive learning, psychological safety, and continuous improvement.
🙏 A heartfelt thank you to Patrizia Mazza for editing and refining the AI-translated text. Her thoughtful work ensures the Italian edition speaks clearly and authentically to local readers.
Paperback also available!
🇪🇸 Expanded Spanish Options
The Spanish edition—Los errores que nos hacen ser quienes somos—is available in print, Kindle eBook, and audiobook formats via Amazon. Whether you're reading on paper, screen, or listening on the go, the message remains the same:
🎧 The audiobook is also available on Audible, narrated by an automated Spanish-speaking voice for accessibility and clarity.
Thank you for continuing to support and share this work. I hope these translations help leaders and teams around the world build cultures where people feel safe to speak up, experiment, and learn from mistakes.
My Mistake-Proofing Course for TKMG Academy!
Please check out my Mistake-Proofing course that's available through Karen Martin and TKMG Academy.
This video is a short preview from the start of Lesson 1:
You can buy the course individually at TKMGAcademy.com for $149. Volume discounts are available for large teams or your entire workforce (for more information, email [email protected]).
The course is also part of the wonderful collection of courses in the all-access annual subscription.
Recent Blog Posts and Podcasts
LeanBlog Posts and Podcasts:
My Favorite Mistake Podcasts -- Celebrating Our 5th Birthday!
The Audiobook is Available!
The audiobook version of The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation is available through Amazon, Audible, and Apple Books.
But you can listen to a 5-minute sample now, the first part of Chapter 1:
Thank You!
Thanks for being part of my community.
Let me know if I can be of assistance in any way.
Mark Graban