Grow with LEAN: The mindset that builds careers at KAEFER

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At KAEFER, everyone encounters LEAN in some way – through curiosity, new ideas, or simply wanting to make work better. It’s a mindset that fuels improvement across our sites, offices and projects.

The five colleagues in this story are just a snapshot of that bigger movement. For them, LEAN became a launchpad for growth – shaping how they work, lead, and take on new responsibilities.

Through the KAEFER LEAN Development Programme, people everywhere are turning LEAN into action and building the skills that open new doors. For many, being a LEAN Leader becomes a natural step toward leadership roles, especially in line management – because the ability to engage teams and drive meaningful change is what makes great leaders across KAEFER.

From Brazil to Oman, Norway, the UK and Germany, these five colleagues show how the LEAN mindset continues to guide their growth today.

Meet our colleagues

What makes a LEAN Leader?

A LEAN Leader is a professional whose job is to guide and empower teams to continuously improve processes, eliminate waste, and deliver greater value by applying LEAN principles. They foster a culture of collaboration, efficiency, and problem-solving across the organisation.

To be a successful LEAN Leader at KAEFER requires a broad set of attributes such as knowledge of change management, an open, creative, and proactive mindset, a strong foundation in LEAN methodology and a lot more. LEAN Leaders are not just process improvers – they are coaches, role models, and catalysts for positive change.

Across all five journeys, the same traits stand out again and again: openness to change, curiosity, analytical thinking, and a strong willingness to work with people and listen before acting. These qualities are not taught in a classroom alone – they grow through hands-on experience, collaboration, and reflection.

“LEAN taught me how to foster a culture of continuous improvement,” says Gustavo. “It gave me the confidence to lead change and to see the bigger picture.”

KAEFER’s LEAN community goes beyond improving processes – it shapes leaders who encourage others to think differently, act boldly, and take ownership of what they do.

Past, present & future roles – unlocking different perspectives

Of course, not everyone at KAEFER begins their career in LEAN, but most eventually cross paths with it. For some, like Jordan, the experience becomes a bridge between different disciplines.

“Working within LEAN, you get to meet and work with everyone from the guys on the ground to upper management,” Jordan explains. “That experience gave me a complete understanding of how everything fits together.”

This exposure to diverse teams and perspectives helps employees build a broader understanding of the business. It enables them to connect dots across departments – an essential skill for anyone moving into management.

Others, such as Priyesh, discovered through LEAN new areas of passion and potential. His curiosity for operations and digitalisation emerged during his time as a LEAN Leader. With the encouragement of his managers, he was soon entrusted with leading projects in those very fields.

“KAEFER is an ocean of opportunity,” he says. “If you’re willing to take on new challenges, you’ll always find support to grow.”

LEAN connects improvement, collaboration and leadership – helping our people build on what they’ve learned and shape what comes next.

As LEAN Leaders gain experience, their perspective naturally broadens. Working across teams, projects and departments gives them a unique overview of how the business operates – from the challenges on site to strategic decision-making at management level. They learn to see connections others might miss, linking improvement in one area to opportunities in another.

For many, that experience becomes the foundation for their next step: moving into line management. It’s a transition that feels both natural and challenging – one that calls for a new balance between guiding others and taking responsibility for outcomes.

From focused insights to a wider perspective

Transitioning from LEAN Leader to Line Manager is a major step – one that shifts the focus from individual processes to the broader business landscape. As responsibilities expand, so does perspective.

Vianney reflects on how this change transformed his way of thinking:

“As a LEAN Leader, I supported managers. Now I am one. The biggest change is responsibility – you move from suggesting improvements to making the decisions.”

This shift requires courage and balance: the ability to stay true to LEAN principles while navigating more complex demands. Tim describes it as learning to coach and lead at the same time:

“As a LEAN Leader, I coached others to build a culture of continuous improvement. As a Line Manager, I now have to ensure my team has the capabilities and routines needed to keep improving.”

Both perspectives show how LEAN continues to play a vital role long after the title changes. The mindset of listening, analysing and improving remains the same – only the view becomes wider. The transition from smaller perspectives to the bigger picture captures what growth at KAEFER is all about: turning experience into insight, and insight into leadership.

The stories of Gustavo, Jordan, Priyesh, Tim and Vianney are just a few examples of a much larger movement. Across KAEFER, colleagues have used their LEAN experience as a springboard into leadership – bringing not only tools and methods, but also a mindset that empowers others.

“At KAEFER, developing people through LEAN principles means building future leaders who inspire continuous improvement and teamwork,” says Sandro Barrach, COO of the KAEFER Group. “We are very satisfied when our LEAN Leaders move into line management, as they can use their experience to support their teams and foster growth. This approach ensures that LEAN thinking is embedded in KAEFER’s project management skills, driving sustainable success across our company.”

With this mindset, LEAN becomes more than a method – it becomes a leadership philosophy that strengthens teams and drives long-term impact.

Support on all sides

Behind every success story stands a network of support. Across all interviews, one message comes through clearly: no one grows alone.

Local and global managers, mentors, and colleagues play a key role in developing future leaders. The LEAN Development Programme itself provides the framework – but it’s the daily collaboration and trust within teams that truly make the difference.

Priyesh emphasises how guidance and encouragement shaped his path:

“My local management consistently encouraged me to take on new challenges. Their confidence in my potential helped me grow into a Line Manager.”

Gustavo echoes this sentiment from his international experience:

“Open communication, mentorship and a collaborative environment helped me take on broader responsibilities and lead with confidence.”

This supportive environment – from the local teams to senior management – is what allows LEAN Leaders to test ideas, take initiative, and grow into the next version of themselves.

Advice for the future

When asked what advice they would give to new or aspiring LEAN Leaders, all five colleagues shared similar thoughts: stay curious, be proactive, and never stop learning.

“Communicate your ambitions for development,” says Tim. “When you focus on doing your best in your current role, new opportunities will follow.”

“Ask questions,” adds Jordan. “The more you understand other people’s roles, the more valuable your own perspective becomes.”

Growth, they agree, doesn’t always mean moving up – sometimes it means looking wider, connecting ideas, and discovering how everything fits together.

Once a LEAN Leader, always a LEAN Leader

What makes these journeys so inspiring is that LEAN isn’t something you leave behind. It’s a way of seeing the world that stays with you – in your job, your projects, and even your personal life.

For Jordan, the principles of LEAN found their way onto the ice rink. As Head Coach of the Aberdeen Lynx, he used the same analytical tools and team mindset to help his team win back-to-back league titles.

“I believe LEAN can work anywhere,” he says. “It’s about analysing, improving and working together – exactly what makes a great team.”

Whether leading construction sites, managing projects, or coaching a hockey team, the same lessons apply: listen, learn, and improve. Because once you’ve learned to think with the LEAN mindset, you carry it with you – in every challenge, every role, and every success that follows.

At KAEFER, we strive to become a truly LEAN company. One where everyone is empowered to act as a LEAN Leader and make things better every day. We’re progressing, but our journey continues, powered by colleagues who take initiative and collaborate across teams.

If this story resonates with you – if you’re curious, improvement-driven and eager to make an impact-we’d love to hear from you. Join us in shaping the future of LEAN at KAEFER.

Note: Crafted by people – with a little help from gen AI. This article combines human insight, storytelling, and smart digital tools to bring KAEFER stories to life.

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