48| Make Leadership Meaningful: From Tools to Purposeful Impact [with Josef Procházka]

Chain of Learning: Empowering Continuous Improvement and Lean Change Leaders

Apply for the Nov 2025 or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experience
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/

You’re implementing the tools.

Making the improvements.

Delivering the project results.

But the same problems keep resurfacing and you’re left wondering: What’s missing?

In this episode, Josef Procházka, a lean consultant from the Czech Republic, shares his personal journey of transformation—from frustrated practitioner to heart-led coach—and the impact his shift in approach to consulting has had for his clients and for himself.

Josef began his career focused on tools, metrics, and deliverables. But something didn’t feel right.

After reading Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn and joining two of my Japan Leadership Experience programs, Josef experienced a transformation of both mind and heart. He found a more meaningful path: one centered on people, purpose, and intentional leadership.

Whether you're an external consultant, internal improvement or operational leader, or simply looking to grow your impact—Josef’s story is a reminder that real change doesn’t come from better systems alone.

This episode will challenge you to rethink how you show up to lead change, what transformation really requires, and what it means to lead with intention.

YOU’LL LEARN:

• How Josef shifted from tool-based delivery to people-centered transformation
• What it looks like to reframe 5S (a workplace organizational practice) into a more meaningful, people-centered practice
• The mindset change required to stop “doing Lean” for others and start leading change with them
• Ways personal growth can unlock deeper change for your clients and organizations
• Why sustainable improvement depends on connecting people and purpose—not just applying tools

ABOUT MY GUEST:

Josef Procházka is a Lean Six Sigma consultant from the Czech Republic with 20+ years of experience helping manufacturing companies improve productivity, streamline processes, and enhance quality through structured problem-solving and project leadership. He specializes in making Lean practices meaningful by translating tools like 5S and A3 into values-driven change that engages people at every level.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

• Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/48
• My website for resources and ways to work with me: KBJAnderson.com
• Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjanderson
• Download my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst
• Apply for the Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantrip
• Read my book that played a role in Josef’s leadership transformation: LearningToLeadLeadingToLearn.com

TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:

03:13 How the Japan Leadership Experiences influenced Josef’s transformation
05:27 The “aha” shifts that helped his transformation
07:59 Why Josef’s approach was not making an impact
11:00 Reframing 5S to meaningful 5S to increase productivity in a client’s workplace
17:30 The importance of bringing meaningfulness to create impact
20:03 The negative effect of short-term focus without a long-term view
22:33 Why Josef decided to come back to the Japan Leadership Experience
25:32 Why Katie is passionate about leading her Japan Leadership Experiences
28:12 The connection leaders feel after the immersive experience in Japan
29:07 Positive transformations from two clients Josef invited to the Japan Leadership Experience
33:29 Importance of continuing to learn and going towards the North star to be a better leader
37:52 Why real leaders practice lean for their team
39:21 Josef’s story on going to the Japan Leadership Experience
44:21 Advice to make a shift towards greater impact
46:21 7 key steps to create real long-term impact

Enter to win a copy of "The Problem Solver's Toolkit" by Tracy O'Rourke and Elisabeth Swan by September 12.

Apply today for the Japan Leadership Experience — last chance to join the November 2025 cohort. Applications also open for May 2026.