John Shook learned about Lean while working with Toyota for ten years, helping the company transfer its production, engineering, and management systems from Japan to its overseas affiliates and suppliers. This real world experience in implementing Lean principles throughout an organization gives him extraordinary insights into the challenges faced by those who are interested in Lean manufacturing. As co-author of “Learning to See”, John helped introduce Value Stream Mapping as the tool which allows Lean practitioners to speak a common language. He now spends his time researching and developing Lean principles with Jim Womack, Dan Jones and Jose Ferro as a senior advisor in the Lean Enterprise Institute; co-directing the University of Michigan, Japan Technology Management Program; and working with companies to understand and implement Lean manufacturing. John is a true sensei who enthusiastically shares his knowledge and insights within the Lean community, and with those who have not yet made the leap.