I built a Lean AI Coach. Now there's one for every industry.
Mar 23, 2026 2:36 pm
The Mistakes That Make Us is a recipient of the Shingo Publication Award from the Shingo Institute!
Hi :
I'm giving away 10 free quarters of the Lean Hospitals AI Coach. Here's how to get one.
If you own a copy of Lean Hospitals -- any edition, any language, anywhere in the world -- post a photo of your copy on LinkedIn and tag me. You can make it your own post or drop it as a comment on my post about this.
I'll message you with a code for 3 months of free access.
First 10 photos get them. That's it.
One thing I'd especially like to see: international editions. I'm always curious where the book has traveled. If you've got a copy in Portuguese, Korean, Turkish, Japanese, or any other translation -- show me.
The tool works in whatever language you write in. Ask a question in Spanish, get coached back in Spanish. Same for Japanese, Turkish, Portuguese, or anything else.
What the Lean Hospitals Coach actually does
Most AI tools give you answers. This one gives you better questions.
In Coach Me mode, it responds the way a Toyota-trained senior leader would. One question at a time. It helps you sharpen a problem statement, practice 5 Whys facilitation, work through an A3, or rehearse a pitch to your CEO -- all grounded in Lean principles and the book.
The best coaching is not about getting answers. It's about being asked something you hadn't considered. That's what this does.
That's the difference between a tool that makes you feel productive and a tool that actually makes you better.
In Tell Me mode, it gives you direct answers with book references when they're relevant.
Nobody tracks the A3s that convinced nobody, the root causes that were really symptoms, or the improvement projects that stalled because the problem statement was soft. Those losses are silent. A good thinking partner prevents them. This is that partner.
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.
Now, the bigger announcement.
I built a second version of the AI coaching engine. This one is not healthcare-specific.
It's called the Lean Coach.
Same coaching approach. Same Socratic style. Same grounding in Lean and TPS principles. Built for anyone doing continuous improvement work, in any industry.
Manufacturing. Software. Government. Education. Professional services. If you're solving problems, improving processes, or trying to build a culture of continuous improvement, this tool coaches you the way a senior Lean leader would.
It does not give you a template and wish you luck. It asks the next question you need to be asked.
I've spent months training the coaching engine -- refining how it handles A3 thinking, the Improvement Kata, motivational interviewing for change resistance, blame detection, and dozens of other real coaching scenarios. The Lean Hospitals Coach was the first application of that work. The Lean Coach is the second.
Here's what I've noticed: the people who get the most from this tool are not beginners looking for definitions. They're experienced practitioners who want a sparring partner. Someone to push back on their thinking at 11pm on a Tuesday, without the politics of asking a colleague or the cost of booking a consultant.
Join as a Founding Member at markgraban.com/coach -- founding pricing won't last, and members get unlimited coaching conversations across all modes.
Not ready to commit? Try it free for 48 hours at markgraban.com/start and see for yourself.
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.
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