Lean in Action: The Innovative Process Behind the Future of People at Work Symposium

By Future of People at Work Symposium Participants and Claude AI*

This article is the seventh and final article in our main series exploring the key insights and discussions from the recent Future of People at Work Symposium, a groundbreaking event that brought together the Lean Community to address the pressing challenges facing today's workplace. Read the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth articles in the series.

As we conclude our exploration of the Future of People at Work Symposium, it's fitting that we turn our attention to the symposium itself. The unique format and collaborative process of this gathering not only facilitated rich discussions but also embodied the very principles of Lean thinking it sought to explore. In this final article, we'll examine how the symposium's innovative structure drove conversations to action, potentially setting a new standard for Lean gatherings.

Setting the Stage: A Groundbreaking Collaboration

From the outset, the Future of People at Work Symposium was distinguished by its unprecedented collaboration among seven leading Lean-focused organizations:

• Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI)

• Shingo Institute

• Catalysis

• Toyota Production System Support Center (TSSC)

• GBMP Consulting Group

• Central Coast Lean

• The Ohio State University's Center for Operational Excellence

This collaboration brought together diverse perspectives and expertise, creating a rich environment for cross-pollination of ideas. As Josh Howell, President of the Lean Enterprise Institute, explained, "We wanted to create an environment where every participant was an active contributor, not just a passive listener. By bringing together these seven organizations, we ensured a breadth of experience and viewpoints that would have been impossible to achieve individually."

The Power of Interactive Learning Sessions

Central to the symposium's collaborative process was the innovative structuring of interactive sessions throughout the day. Following each keynote presentation, participants engaged in Lean Coffee discussions - structured but agenda-less conversations where attendees could propose topics, vote on priorities, and engage in time-boxed discussions. This format allowed participants to move between different tables after each keynote, ensuring exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences.

"The rotating discussion format was incredibly energizing," noted one attendee. "We could immediately apply and expand upon the ideas presented by speakers, while gaining insights from different participants throughout the day. I've never experienced such dynamic knowledge sharing at a conference."

25/10 Crowdsourcing: Harnessing Collective Wisdom

Another innovative element was the 25/10 crowdsourcing exercise, which challenged participants to generate bold ideas that were then rapidly evaluated and refined by the group.

Eric Ethington, Principal Coach at Lean Leadership Center, who participated in the exercise, explained its power: "The 25/10 process allows us to tap into the collective wisdom of the group quickly. It's amazing to see how initial ideas evolve and improve through this rapid iteration."

Open Space Technology: Empowering Self-Organization

The symposium also incorporated Open Space Technology sessions, allowing participants to propose and lead discussions on topics they were passionate about. These sessions led to the formation of several working groups that continue to meet monthly:

1. Building a Lean Community of Practice - Brittany Heatherington

2. Industrial Tourism Agency - Rich Sheridan

3. Lean Applied to Societal Problems - Mike Gallagher

4. Visualization of Organization Systems - Dana Miller

5. Ways of Working (WoW) - Susanna Watson and Angela Wolfram

6. Lean Statements - Rachel Reuter

7. Education in Early Career - Joy Goor

8. Branding and Marketing of Lean - Beau Keyte

9. AI Symposium Proceedings Experiment - Eric Olsen

These groups continue to meet during monthly Community Zoom sessions held on the second Friday of each month. To get involved, complete the registration form.

Driving Conversation to Action

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the symposium was its relentless focus on actionable outcomes. Each session, whether a presentation, Lean Coffee discussion, or Open Space session, concluded with participants identifying next steps and commitments.

John Toussaint, CEO of Catalysis, noted, "This wasn't just talk. By the end of the symposium, we had concrete plans for multiple initiatives that would extend well beyond the event itself. It was Lean thinking in action."

Some of the new working groups formed during the symposium are focusing on:

1. Formation of an ethics council to develop guidelines for AI integration in improvement practices

2. Creation of an industrial tourism network to facilitate site visits and learning exchanges

3. Development of early career education programs and university partnerships

4. Establishment of communities of practice focused on societal problems

   
   

Lessons for Future Gatherings

The success of the Future of People at Work Symposium offers valuable lessons for organizing impactful events:

1. Collaborate across organizations to bring diverse perspectives

2. Balance presentation with real-world experienced participant engagement

3. Create structured yet flexible activities to foster collaboration

4. Emphasize actionable outcomes and follow-through

5. Create space for spontaneous, participant-led discussions

6. Leverage technology to enhance, not replace, human interaction

As Helen Zak, Research Director at the Shingo Institute, reflected, "This symposium has shown us a new way forward. By applying improvement principles to how we gather and learn, we've created a more dynamic, productive, and engaging experience."

Looking Ahead: The Future of Collaborative Learning

The innovative format of the Future of People at Work Symposium may well serve as a model for future improvement-focused events. By emphasizing active participation, collaborative problem-solving, and concrete action, it demonstrated how we can enhance how we learn and share knowledge in the modern workplace.

This series of articles itself represents an innovative experiment in collaborative knowledge sharing. Using Claude AI, we were able to capture and synthesize insights from over 150 participants across multiple concurrent sessions, ensuring that valuable perspectives weren't lost in the typical conference scenario where attendees can only participate in a fraction of the discussions. Watch for our upcoming bonus article that will explore how AI enhanced the symposium experience and helped create a more complete record of the collective wisdom shared - a fitting example of how technology can support the future of people at work.

The journey continues at the second Future of People at Work Symposium, to be held in June, 2025, hosted by O.C. Tanner in Salt Lake City, Utah. This commitment to ongoing collaboration and learning underscores the community's dedication to continuous improvement, not just in their individual practices, but in how they come together to shape the future of work.

*This series is the product of a novel collaboration between human insight and artificial intelligence. Content is derived from the collective contributions of the 150 attendees of the Future of People at Work Symposium, processed and structured byClaude.AI 3.5 Sonnet, and curated by Eric O. Olsen, Director - Central Coast Lean, one of the Symposium collaborating organizations. 

Special thanks to Matt Savas, Beau Keyte, David Ostreicher, and Rachel Reuter for serving as the human editorial board for this entire series.