EPISODE 1: Foundations of Leadership – What It Means to Truly Take Care of People

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In this debut episode of Leadership Excellence, Tom and George dive into the core question: What is leadership?

Welcome to the very first episode of Leadership Excellence with Tom and George! In this debut episode, Tom Lawless and George Trachilis dive deep into the heart of leadership, exploring what it truly means to lead.

They define leadership not as authority or control, but as taking care of people. But what does “taking care of people” really mean? Through engaging dialogue, Tom and George unpack the essence of leadership as guiding, motivating, and developing individuals to become their best selves. They discuss the importance of fostering integrity, character, and self-development, both in leaders and their teams.

Key topics in this episode include:

• Defining leadership as a role of influence, not dependency.
• The foundations of leadership, including building a culture of ethics, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Why everyone has the capability to lead and how recognizing this potential can transform organizations.
• Insights from leadership giants like Shingo and Deming, including lessons on compassion, moral responsibility, and going to “gemba” (the place where value is created).
• Why modern leaders must embrace AI and innovation to stay relevant and inspire their teams.

This episode sets the stage for future discussions on vision, behavior, and practical tools for leadership development. It’s packed with wisdom from decades of experience, personal anecdotes, and actionable takeaways for aspiring and seasoned leaders alike.

Join us as we begin this journey to uncover the true meaning of leadership and how to achieve excellence in every aspect of it.

Next Week’s Episode Teaser:
We’ll explore the concept of vision—what it means to create a vision, how to inspire others with it, and how to use tools like AI to bring it to life. Don’t miss it!

Who is George Trachilis?

An accomplished leader, author, and Lean expert, George Trachilis brings decades of experience in coaching, consulting, and driving organizational transformation across a global stage. As the founder of the Lean Leadership Institute and a recipient of the prestigious Shingo Research Award, George has dedicated his career to developing leaders at all levels, fostering continuous improvement, and aligning businesses with their strategic goals. With a proven track record of success in engineering, supply chain management, and leadership development, George excels at creating innovative solutions, building high-performing teams, and inspiring excellence in individuals and organizations alike.

Who is Dr. Tom Lawless?

Dr. Tom Lawless is an accomplished Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and operations leader with over 30 years of experience transforming organizations in healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and finance. With advanced degrees in Business Administration (PhD, MBA) and Civil Engineering (MCE), he combines strategic vision with technical expertise to deliver measurable results.

As President of Lean Training and Consulting (LeanTAC), Dr. Lawless has optimized processes, implemented Lean Six Sigma frameworks, and coached organizations to achieve excellence. A retired U.S. Army Major and recipient of the Army Bronze Star, he led critical supply chain improvements during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Dr. Lawless is also an adjunct professor at Nebraska Methodist College and a published author, known for his ability to drive operational excellence, align teams with strategic goals, and deliver sustainable improvements.