Why I built my own AI instead of telling you to use ChatGPT
Feb 27, 2026 1:03 pm
The Mistakes That Make Us is a recipient of the Shingo Publication Award from the Shingo Institute!
Hi :
The Lean Hospitals AI Assistant is an on-demand coaching and reference tool grounded in my Shingo-Award-winning book. You can ask it questions about Lean in healthcare -- daily huddles, gemba walks, A3 thinking, standardized work, psychological safety, error-proofing, and more -- and get answers that draw directly from Lean Hospitals or from broader Lean and TPS principles.
WHY NOT JUST USE CHATGPT?
You could ask ChatGPT or Copilot about Lean in healthcare. You'd get an answer. It would sound confident. And it would quietly reinforce some of the most common misconceptions about Lean -- the ones that cause real damage in real hospitals.
Ask a generic AI whether Lean can help reduce labor costs, and it will cheerfully agree. It won't push back. It won't mention that layoffs destroy the trust that makes improvement possible. It won't explain why the most successful Lean organizations make an explicit no-layoffs commitment.
General-purpose AI reflects the average of what's been written online, not what's actually correct.
The Lean Hospitals AI Assistant is different. I've built guardrails so it stays consistent with how I think about Lean: systems thinking, Respect for People, improvement done with people rather than to them, and cost reduction as a result of better quality and flow -- not the goal itself. If you ask it something the book doesn't cover, it will say so honestly rather than making things up.
WHAT MAKES IT USEFUL
Book Search mode pulls directly from Lean Hospitals and cites specific chapters -- so you know exactly where to go for deeper reading.
- General mode expands beyond the book but stays philosophically grounded. No "Lean is for speed, Six Sigma is for quality" nonsense.
- Coach mode flips the script. Instead of lecturing, it asks you questions back, Socratic-style, to help you think through real challenges the way a good sensei would.
- Guided Prompt Packs walk you through multi-step conversations on topics like Building Psychological Safety, A3 Problem Solving, and Preparing for a Gemba Walk.
- Role-based answers adjust to your context -- whether you're an executive, a manager, frontline staff, a consultant, or a student.
- It also works in multiple languages. Ask in Dutch, get answers in Dutch.
Try it free -- you can ask a few questions at no cost to see if it's useful for you:
FOUNDING MEMBER RATE
If you like what you see, use code FOUNDER at checkout to lock in a special annual rate as an early subscriber. This rate won't last forever -- it's for people who get in early and help shape the tool.
YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS
This is still evolving. I read every piece of feedback that comes through the tool, and early subscribers are directly influencing what gets built next. If something is off, I want to know. If something is surprisingly helpful, I want to know that too.
Give it a try and let me know what you think -- just reply to this email.
Thanks for your help and support,
Mark
P.S. In classic Lean Startup mode, I'm still figuring out the right features and the right business model. Your input genuinely helps.
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