AME Milwaukee 2026 International Conference
PRESENTATIONS
Presentation
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Respect for people
Why doesn’t lean work at my organization?
OVERVIEW
Whether you are thinking of a lean transformation or have struggled with implementation in the past, company or site culture is the critical component that will determine if you are successful.
Do you struggle with why your team balks when the tools are so logical?
Does your organization demonstrate respect for people? Are you sure?
The presenter will discuss how to truly assess your team’s culture, identify key organizational characteristics and explore proven remedies they have personally had success with, as well as demonstrate how to identify bridges to the gaps unique to your team.
Topics include leadership style, leading with humility, shifting from a blame culture and inclusive decision making.
The presenter will also explore how tools such as true gemba walks, leader personal accountability and embracing challenging personalities are keys to success.
Do you struggle with why your team balks when the tools are so logical?
Does your organization demonstrate respect for people? Are you sure?
The presenter will discuss how to truly assess your team’s culture, identify key organizational characteristics and explore proven remedies they have personally had success with, as well as demonstrate how to identify bridges to the gaps unique to your team.
Topics include leadership style, leading with humility, shifting from a blame culture and inclusive decision making.
The presenter will also explore how tools such as true gemba walks, leader personal accountability and embracing challenging personalities are keys to success.
Key Learning Objectives
1. How to assess your team’s culture
2. How am I contributing to either the problem or the solution?
3. Possible solutions that can aid success
4. How PDCA impacts personal and organizational growth
2. How am I contributing to either the problem or the solution?
3. Possible solutions that can aid success
4. How PDCA impacts personal and organizational growth
Presenter
Mark Waggoner
Plant Manager
ATKORE INTERNATIONAL
Mark Waggoner is an HDPE plant manager at Atkore International with a passion for lean spanning more than three decades. His professional history includes both operations management and lean leadership roles. Waggoner believes both are necessary to promote a successful transformation to a true problem-solving culture that highlights respect for people.
Plant Manager
ATKORE INTERNATIONAL
Mark Waggoner is an HDPE plant manager at Atkore International with a passion for lean spanning more than three decades. His professional history includes both operations management and lean leadership roles. Waggoner believes both are necessary to promote a successful transformation to a true problem-solving culture that highlights respect for people.
Waggoner has presented at two AME International Conferences. In 2008, while working for a major manufacturer of engineered metal wear parts and components for industrial applications in the Pacific Northwest, Waggoner presented on the merits of cross-training line leadership across multiple departments, particularly in the role of the internal customer.
In 2022, while working for one of the largest window manufacturers in the Northwest, Waggoner shared his experience using daily accountability to develop leaders in the practical use of lean manufacturing and performance problem solving at the Dallas AME International Conference.
Waggoner brings a passion for creating a culture where lean can thrive — one that celebrates learning and the relentless pursuit of problem identification and resolution.
Whether through extensive time in foundry operations, years supporting machining operations in rifle scope manufacturing, or roles in quality, maintenance and lean leadership for commercial plastics such as vinyl window manufacturing and PVC pipe extrusion, Waggoner’s ability to reduce waste while elevating people has defined his career.
View on LinkedIn
In 2022, while working for one of the largest window manufacturers in the Northwest, Waggoner shared his experience using daily accountability to develop leaders in the practical use of lean manufacturing and performance problem solving at the Dallas AME International Conference.
Waggoner brings a passion for creating a culture where lean can thrive — one that celebrates learning and the relentless pursuit of problem identification and resolution.
Whether through extensive time in foundry operations, years supporting machining operations in rifle scope manufacturing, or roles in quality, maintenance and lean leadership for commercial plastics such as vinyl window manufacturing and PVC pipe extrusion, Waggoner’s ability to reduce waste while elevating people has defined his career.
View on LinkedIn
TAGS
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People-centric leadership
Level: Beginner
