Join us for a MLC Lean Virtual Coffee!
Virtual | Free For Members | 8:30am - 9:30am
Topic: Kaizen Needs Courage: How Play Builds the Safety to Speak Up
You already know Lean's best idea: the person closest to a problem often sees it most clearly, no matter what their title says. It's a real departure from "leadership knows best."
But knowing that and living it are two different things. Ask around, and most employees, new hires and veterans alike, will tell you the same thing: pointing out a problem feels risky. Suggesting a fix to someone above you feels riskier. That discomfort doesn't disappear just because a company calls itself a lean organization.
So what actually gets people past that fear? In this session, we'll look at an answer you might not expect: games.
We'll dig into why play, not just games in a general sense, is one of the few tools that gets people speaking up before they've even noticed they're doing it. You'll leave with:
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A clear case for why play builds psychological safety faster than a values statement ever could.
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Practical ways to work with teammates who communicate differently under pressure.
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A couple of exercises you can try in your very next meeting.
If this session sparks something for you, stay close: a few weeks later, I'm leading a Play Facilitation Certification for MCL member people who want to build this into a real skill, not just a one-off exercise.
Presenter:
Alexandra Suchman 
CEO & Co-founder | Barometer XP
Alexandra Suchman is CEO and co-founder of Barometer XP, a company that helps organizations build cultures where people feel connected, valued, and free to do their best work, using games and experiential learning instead of lectures and slide decks. She turns play into a research-backed tool for building trust, psychological safety, and stronger team performance. A Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Alex was recently featured in Kaizen Made Easy's Top 9 Leadership Conversations and is a go-to speaker for SHRM, PMI, and ATD. She holds an MPP from The George Washington University.
What is a Virtual Coffee?
A Virtual Coffee offers a relaxed and engaging platform to connect with Lean professionals and explore meaningful discussions in a collaborative virtual environment. These sessions combine the best of our Coffee Chats and Book Club, offering a platform to discuss all things Lean, share professional challenges, and explore solutions with like-minded peers.
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Opportunity to connect with other Lean practitioners and like-minded individuals.
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Attendees are able to ask questions, interact with the presenter and other attendees virtually.
Why attend?
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Leverage Collective Knowledge: Tap into the expertise of our MLC membership.
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Focus on Lean Implementation: Discuss practical applications of Lean tools and strategies.
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Networking Opportunities: Expand your network of Lean professionals.
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Share and Learn: Exchange best practices and gain insights from others' experiences.
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Stay Engaged: Stay connected with the MLC community and learn about upcoming events.
Join us for a session filled with ideas, insights, and inspiration—all from the comfort of your home or office!
Cost
Members: Free
Non-Members: $20
New To The MLC?
At the MLC, we do our best to be inclusive at every level of experience, whether it’s a conference, Gemba walk or any other of our membership activities.
An individual or organizational membership gives you a year’s worth of great Lean learning and networking at low- or no-cost!
