🎙️ Business Transformation Podcast – Episode #44

🎧 Why Most Transformations Fail: Mark Graban on Psychological Safety, Lean Thinking & Real Change | Business Transformation Podcast [044]

In this episode, host Heath Gascoigne speaks with Mark Graban—Lean expert and Shingo Award-winning author—to break down why so many business transformations fail to deliver. Mark shares his perspective on the critical role of psychological safety, why "change theater" is a dangerous distraction, and how to move from "doing" to "facilitating" real improvement.

💡 What you'll learn in this episode:

• Psychological Safety – The secret sauce for lasting transformation and why silence is a red flag.
• Avoiding "Change Theater" – How to create real buy-in rather than fake engagement.
• The Problem well-defined – Why going slow to define the problem allows you to go fast in execution.
• The Challenger Safety Stage – How to foster an environment where status quo is safely questioned.
• Silo vs. Business Transformation – Why end-to-end value stream alignment beats isolated improvements.

• “Structured problem solving is not just a methodology — it’s a mindset shift from ‘doing’ to ‘facilitating.’” – Mark Graban

• “Software alone never drives transformation. Culture, leadership, and psychological safety do.” – Mark Graban

• “People don’t feel safe to speak up — and that’s the real reason most transformations fail.” – Mark Graban

🎧 Listen Now: Transformation Is Not an IT Project – It’s Strategic Business Design ➡️ Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts

👤 About the Guest: Mark Graban is an internationally recognized author, speaker, and consultant in Lean management and healthcare transformation. A three-time Shingo Award winner, Mark is the author of Lean Hospitals, Healthcare Kaizen, and The Mistakes That Make Us. He is also the host of the Lean Blog Interviews and My Favorite Mistake podcasts.

👨‍💼 About the Host: Heath Gascoigne is the founder of HOBA TECH and author of the 6x international bestseller The Business Transformation Playbook. Creator of the HOBA® framework, Heath helps leaders align strategy, design, and implementation to drive transformation that works.

🎙️ About the Podcast: The Business Transformation Podcast features real stories and practical insights from global transformation leaders. Subscribe to stay updated on future episodes covering topics impacting businesses today.