The end of a year is the perfect time to pause and reflect: What have you and your Lean team learned this year?
The Power of Shared Learning
At GBMP, we believe that problem solving sits at the heart of every breakthrough and that progress does not come from isolated wins, but from continuous learning, collaboration, and a shared commitment. This past year tested many organizations in new ways, but it also offered rich opportunities for growth, innovation, and cultural transformation. Across industries and teams, we saw that the most effective change didn’t arise from quick fixes or top-down mandates. Rather it came from shared ownership, open communication, and the courage to learn from both success and failure.
One of the most powerful things you can do at year’s end is to capture and share the lessons you’ve learned because they are the catalysts for broader change. They become part of your culture. They become part of your identity as a Lean organization.
A team building practice from project management is to take a moment at the end of every project, phase or just every 3 months. In this moment, take the team out to lunch or have lunch brought in to celebrate and follow with a meeting where each person has a turn sharing at least once on these three questions:
- What went well?
- What could have got better?
- What still needs to be done?
This helps everyone celebrate the hard work and have mental clarity on the project. It’s also a time where we hear good and bad things about the project instead of long after it’s over.
Remember, problem solving isn’t a solo sport. It’s a team game, and the best results come when everyone is engaged… from the operators on the shop floor to the executives in the boardroom.
What Did the Most Effective Teams Do Differently in 2025?
Throughout the year, we observed certain patterns across high-performing Lean teams. No matter what the industry or the size of the enterprise, the most effective teams consistently:
- Clarified the problem together instead of rushing to solutions. They spent time defining the issue clearly, ensuring all voices were heard before action was taken.
- Went to the actual place where the work happens together. By observing real processes in real time (gemba), these teams avoided making assumptions and uncovered root causes faster.
- Used proven tools like the 5 Whys and Ishikawa diagrams to explore problems from multiple angles, ensuring that solutions addressed the root and not just the symptoms.
- Made progress visible using charts, boards, and displays. This not only kept improvement on track but also motivated more team members to get engaged and contribute.
- Reflected intentionally after each improvement cycle, sharing both wins and lessons learned. These debriefs helped lock in learning and build team cohesion.
Questions to Spark Insight and Growth
Don’t let the lessons of 2025 fade away. Capture them now while they’re fresh in your mind. Carve out 15 minutes at your next daily huddle or staff meeting to ask:
- What problem-solving successes (and missteps) did we experience in 2025?
- Which Lean practices helped us most this year?
- What habits or behaviors do we want to reinforce heading into 2026?
- Who on our team stepped up as a Lean leader, mentor, or collaborator?
You might be amazed at the insight, appreciation, and forward momentum this kind of reflection can generate.
Share Your Wins! Inspire Others!
What was your biggest Lean "aha" moment of 2025? What keeps your momentum going? Please share your lessons learned with the community in the comments.
Here's to another year of learning, solving and winning…together.
Lean isn’t a destination, it’s a journey of ongoing learning, reflection, and iteration. As you look toward the new year, consider how your team can keep building on the progress you’ve already made. GBMP is here to support that journey every step of the way. Whether you're just starting out or ready for advanced enterprise-wide cultural transformation, GBMP’s structured Lean, Six Sigma and Shingo courses can accelerate team-based problem solving and drive measurable success.
Happy New Year Everybody!
