Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn

Lessons from Toyota Leader Isao Yoshino on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning

By: Katie Anderson

Narrated by: Katie Anderson

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Refreshing, timeless lessons for those who care to lead

In Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn, leadership coach Katie Anderson and Toyota leader Isao Yoshino bring you a remarkable book about what it means to learn, to lead, and to care. Created through years of collaboration, this book offers their shared reflections on leadership and learning, providing readers an inspirational experience that defies generational and cultural divides.

“The only secret to Toyota is its attitude towards learning.” (Isao Yoshino)

With a career that spanned nearly four decades at Toyota Motor Corporation, Isao Yoshino’s stories help us understand how Toyota intentionally developed the culture of excellence for which it is renowned today, and how one person learned to lead so that he could lead to learn. Katie Anderson weaves together these heartwarming stories of personal discovery, and offers her own unique perspective on them, with the intention of helping you learn to lead and lead to learn.

Reflection is the key to learning.

Dive into Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn to discover the power of reflection as a source for learning. Uncover never-before-published “insider stories” from pivotal moments in Toyota’s history and fascinating nuances that inspired the Toyota Way. And walk away with fresh insights and excitement about people-centered leadership, organizational excellence, and yourself.

If you’ve ever been mentored - in business or in life - by someone whose words, experiences, and perspectives changed you for the better, you know that an entire book of honest reflection and deep wisdom can have a profound impact on the world. For today’s business professionals - dedicated to continuous learning and people-centered leadership - this is that book.

Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind tapestry that will inspire both veteran and aspiring leaders to reflect and learn. It’s a book for leaders of all levels, in any industry, anywhere in the world, who strive to create a culture of continuous learning and to lead with intention - by helping others discover their best selves, while also developing themselves.

With a Foreword by John Shook, chairman, Lean Global Network

“If you are seeking the next step on your own journey of leadership transformation, reading this book and living its lessons will help you become the leader you always knew you could be.” (Richard Sheridan, CEO, Menlo Innovations and author of Joy, Inc. and Chief Joy Officer)

“I encourage anyone who influences people in cultural change to embrace the shared wisdom in this book.” (Tracey Richardson, author of The Toyota Engagement Equation)

“If you’re interested in lean and learning, this is an absolute must-read!” (Michael Balle, coauthor of The Gold Mine Trilogy and The Lean Strategy)

“If you want to really understand continuous improvement...read this book.” (Jeffrey Liker, author of The Toyota Way)

©2020 Katie Anderson (P)2021 Katie Anderson

Reading / listening for the 2nd time

An inspiring learning experience is shared from the heart of Toyota. I took up the audiobook as a reread after reading the book last year. It's a book every person needs to read at least once a year as a reminder & learning that life isnt perfect. Even the very best go through the ups & downs of a career.

The book illustrates a captivating leadership & learning experience journey by Isao Yoshino, an insider who worked for Toyota in Japan. Katie Anderson has an excellent talent for storytelling. She captured Isao Yoshino experience and narrated it in an easy way to understand.

For those who heard of Lean, Toyota, Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, and Japan, this is the book that provides you with a great insight into what happens actually at the workplace in Toyota and how all those management concepts are practiced. A truly inspiring story. Discover how Respect for People is one of the essential pillars in Toyota. An enabler for leadership growth and the cycle of continuous learning.

The essence of lean and leadership directly!

I had already read the written book, but this audio book takes on something special when you actually hear Yoshino's voice and Katie's voice directly. There a certain quality and intonation that is very different when your brain reads words versus listening to a conversation directly from the person. It's almost like extending the direct chain of learning and hearing from these sensei. I guess it's hard to describe, I highly recommend you listen to this book if you're looking for the underlying essence of lean and leadership!

It's all about "Intention"

At least that was my "Aha" moment that I had from reading and now listening to it on my morning walks. A great job from what is to become a must in anyone's Lean, Learning and Leading library. A definite go-to for those interested in a culture change within the workplace.

Great Leadership Lessons and Wonderful Story Telling

This is a beautifully written book and nicely narrated by the author and subject. I would highly recommend for any leader looking to improve their skills and create a more caring work culture. 5+ stars.

New and Refreshing View into Leadership

This was such an incredible book to experience. It personalizes the journey of growth through leadership and gives you an intimate view inside the life of an inspired leader. I started off scribbling notes and trying to capture everything then quickly came to a point where I paused and started over from the beginning. There'll be plenty of time for notes and reflection. This is a rich story that tugs at you and teaches you along the way. A one of a kind and never to be repeated. Thank you for writing this!

Leadership wisdom

I listened to Katie's book during my morning runs a few days in a row. I was so 'energized' by the many insights shared, that I ended up purchasing a hard copy to keep in my library.

"Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn" is an easy listen and a good reference on leadership. Now that I have the book as well, I will be picking it up every once in a while to remind me of the power of humble leadership, the impact of a teaching leader, the greatness of owning mistakes, the importance of failure, etc... there is SO much more in there to chew on!

Mr. Yoshino and Katie share so many pearls of wisdom that it made me reconsider my own trajectory of life. Realizing that my vision of the future was a little fuzzy, I worked on clearing up the dust and setting up a fresh clear target. I am currently developing critical milestones and will soon end up with a much needed game plan. So, to say that this book impacted my life is kind of an understatement.

I do recommend this audible to anyone interested in perfecting their leadership skills. I hope to share this with friends and colleagues, as opportunities arise.

Lessons from a Toyota Leader Brought to Life!

This audiobook brings to life Isao Yoshino’s 40-years of experience at Toyota. Katie Anderson's narration dives deep into the sound principles of people-centric leadership that Toyota embodies and has created through intention and purposeful choice. This is what truly makes Toyota a culture of continuous improvement and lifelong learning that can be applied to all industries. The audiobook also brings in narration from several lean leaders like John Shook and his reflections from Mr. Yoshino’s manager as a coach leadership style. Author, Katie Anderson, introduces us to the “fabric concept” which will help leaders from any background and industry. Through this analogy, the book builds on the importance of the leader’s vertical thread in the weave that represents strong belief, clear vision, and determination to attain goals, while the horizontal thread in the weave represents what leaders have discovered during their journey and what is most important for them to share with the world. This book has reestablished my focus and helped me reflect on my purpose and how to learn from and lead others.

A must read!

If you're committed to being a better leader, then this book is a must-read. Great audio quality and narration. I got through it pretty quickly.

Not what I was expecting

This seemed more like a stick-figure biography of Yoshino's working career than anything substantive on Toyota or innovative management/business principles. I made it thru to the end thinking "just around the next corner" there will be some good information, but I'm sad to say that never appeared. Even if you were really wanting to know just about Yoshino - maybe you're a fan? It really isn't that good. Doesn't work as a biography or a business book.

Always keep Learning to become a better a leader

Katie's book about Mr. Yoshino's life and journey of Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn was filled with many lessons on leadership, success, failure, Lean (or CI - Continuous Improvement), learning, and Toyota.

Thank you to Katie for creating such a fantastic book. Throughout the entire audiobook, I felt immersed in the story of Mr. Yoshiono's life from when he was a young boy to now. I learned so much about Japanese culture, Toyota culture, and CI. While I've been practicing CI for the past 13.5 years, I have developed an even greater appreciation for it in business and personal life.

The lessons you learn from this book will help improve your leadership, desire to learn, and Lean. But the most important takeaway from the book is that we must continue to learn! Life is a playground to learn no matter where we are.

Tom Hughes

I really enjoyed this book and it’s story.
My man takeaway is the hat environment is stronger than habit.
Cryptic I know but you might understand if you read the book!

Thanks Katie.

THE book to read if you're a leader, or just human

Katie Anderson and Isao Yoshino outdo themselves in this fabulous audio version of Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn. They go DEEP into the idea of leadership, and what it means to create a space for people at the heart of an organisation.

Their ability to talk about failure, and how important it is for the learning process, were possibly the most valuable lessons for me, as someone who is a perfectionist.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough, if you're a person who is looking to be more intentional, and who wants to make an impact in the world, by aligning your actions with your purpose.

great book and fantastic resource for lean leaders

A fantastic book helping to guide you through personal reflection. would recommend to all current and aspiring leaders

Katie helps you lead…

I love this book.
I have followed Katie for a while and was looking forward to listening to her book.
It did not disappoint the stories, the insights and the value makes this a worthwhile investment in your time!!

Fascinating, inspirational, loved it

What a book!! Thought after 15 years of study, I knew a little about TPS and lean but this book has taught me so much more.
Hearing Mr Yoshino’s story is fascinating and adds so much depth to what I now know is superficial knowledge about Toyota, TPS and lean.
I can not recommend this book highly enough. Katie and Mr Yoshino have crafted a work or art here, and I absolutely loved it. Totally deserved 5 stars