87 – Learning Through Leadership with Katie Anderson

What defines an effective leader?


Leadership isn't a straightforward path; it often comes with numerous challenges. Fortunately, there are proven strategies to help you grow and develop as a leader.


In this episode of the Ikigai podcast, Nick speaks with Katie Anderson about the crucial role of continuous learning in becoming an effective leader.




Podcast Highlights


Katie Anderson

Katie Anderson

Katie Anderson is an internationally recognised consultant, leadership coach, bestselling author, speaker, and learning enthusiast dedicated to helping business leaders accelerate individual and organisational impact. Katie is the author of Learning to Lead, Lead to Learn Lessons from Toyota Leader ISAO YOSHINO on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning.


Connection to Japan

Katie’s connection to Japan began in July 2014 when her husband's job offered them the chance to move there for two years. Around this time, she had recently launched a consulting practice specialising in integrating Kaizen and continuous improvement concepts, drawing inspiration from the Toyota production system.


Prior to relocating, she crossed paths with Mr. Isao Yoshino, a prominent figure at Toyota, during a conference. This encounter proved pivotal, further igniting her passion for Japan and its culture. Today, this passion deeply influences her identity and professional pursuits, empowering individuals to drive meaningful change in their personal and professional lives.



All about lean coaching

Lean originated as a term in the late 1980s to describe the success of the Toyota Production System and Japanese manufacturing. It focuses on achieving more with less while fostering a culture of continuous learning and experimentation. This approach emphasises operational excellence and respects people's roles in achieving business goals through effective processes.

 

Lean coaching extends these principles to develop people's problem-solving skills and nurture their capabilities, emphasising leadership that guides, supports, and grows individuals within organisations.


“Lean is about how we bring in this culture of operational excellence of continuous learning and respect for people into organisations so that we can get the business results that we need and want, focusing on people and process as the way to do that.” - Katie Anderson 


Lean Coaching


The connection between intention and kokorozashi

"Intention" being her favourite word, Katie decided to incorporate it into her business card as her logo. With the help of a business card company, she chose to represent it in Japanese. They used the word shikou, which she later discovered signifies the strength of heart and direction. 


To Katie, intention became the combination of heart and direction, embodying both purpose and the actions required to fulfil it. She then encountered the word kokorozashi, which further deepened her understanding of intention. Shikou graces her business card, symbolising her commitment to taking intentional actions to achieve her purpose.



Developing a close friendship with Isao Yoshino

Katie first met Toyota leader Isao Yoshino when she learned about their move to Japan. Upon mentioning her plans, Yoshino graciously offered to show her around once she arrived. This gesture sparked a remarkable connection between them. Nearly a decade later, their partnership culminated in the co-authorship of a bestselling, award-winning book, Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn.


“Through discussions and friendship, we have both learned more deeply what it means to weave a full life of purpose and intention. We have discovered that we share a common fabric of purpose - to lead international lives, to help others discover their best selves, and to develop our best selves at the same time.” - Katie Anderson


Developing Friendship


How do we learn to lead? 

The title of Katie’s book, Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn, reflects the idea that to foster a learning-oriented organisation, leaders must first learn how to lead effectively. Leadership involves shifting from being the expert to guiding and coaching others. 


Creating a learning attitude within an organisation is crucial for continuous improvement and achieving results. The concept highlights the interconnection of learning and leading, where everyone is both a learner and a leader.


A three-part framework

Katie developed a three-part framework on leadership inspired by Mr. Yoshino:

  • Set direction

  • Provide support

  • Develop yourself

These profound insights on leadership emerged from her first encounter with Mr. Yoshino at a conference, where he shared stories and made an offhand comment about his role as a manager at Toyota. He described his role as giving his team a mission or target, supporting them in reaching it, and simultaneously developing himself. Katie believes that focusing on these three elements, despite inevitable failures, is essential for successful leadership.



Conducting Japan study trips

Katie's passion for travel, international experiences, learning, and connecting with others led her to organise study trips to Japan. After moving to Japan, she envisioned bringing global business leaders and consultants for immersive learning experiences. Despite challenges, she successfully led her first trip in 2018. These trips offer participants a unique, curated experience, drawing from her deep relationships with Japanese companies and leaders. 


“It is this idea of curating these experiences and doing things that will be almost impossible for people to do by themselves. But through the journey, you have all this learning and these intimate experiences of Japanese culture that really all culminates this once in a lifetime experience.” - Nicholas Kemp


Japan Study Trips


Katie’s sources of ikigai

Katie finds her sense of ikigai through strong personal and professional connections. She is committed to building and maintaining meaningful relationships, and her natural desire for human connection helps her stay in touch with people. She also places importance on balancing her achievements and taking time to appreciate those moments. Thus, she considers her passion for learning, international experiences, and sharing them with others as her sources of ikigai.



Conclusion

Becoming an effective leader is a journey that requires significant time and effort. It's not an overnight transformation but a continuous process of growth. To lead others effectively, it's crucial to embrace the importance of ongoing learning and self-improvement. By valuing and prioritising your own development, you'll be better equipped to guide and inspire those around you.

>