GA 049 | The Green Beret Way to Lead with Sam MacPherson

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Today’s guest is Sam MacPherson, former Chief of Training for the U.S. Army Special Forces, specifically the Green Berets. Sam currently serves as the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Lean Leadership Academy, based in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Sam and I discussed the similarities between the Green Beret training process and the process of developing a lean skill set. From Toyota to the U.S. Army, Sam’s diverse background creates a fresh approach to the lean principles we all know and love.

An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here.  

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Sam’s background and what he’s up to these days (2:25)
• What it was like to work with the legendary Dr. Shigeo Shingo (4:57)
• The quote that inspires Sam (6:44)
• Sam’s relationship with the U.S. Army and the Green Berets (8:23)
• How Sam connected the U.S. Army, the Green Berets, and Toyota (12:28)
• What the Green Berets look for in a leader (18:38)
• How Green Beret training compares to training lean leaders (23:12)
• How the Green Berets continually cultivate leadership skills (26:52)
• What employers can expect from Special Forces members(31:06)
• What “Respect for People” means to Sam (34:29)
• The best advice Sam has ever received (35:51)
• Sam’s personal productivity habit (36:56)
• The one thing that always surprises Sam (38:22)
• What Sam does to recharge and refocus (39:38)
• The lean-related skill Sam feels he needs to improve (41:07)
• Sam’s final words of wisdom (44:47)

Podcast Resources

• Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
• Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com
• Sam’s Email
• Sam on LinkedIn
• Lean Leadership Academy on Facebook

What Do You Think?

What other industries or sectors can benefit from lean? How so?

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