Speaking & Workshops

Make courage and humility practical through memorable talks that shift leaders from heroics to systems.

Helping Leaders See Differently

I've spent my career learning, teaching, and coaching inside organizations, from Toyota to executive boardrooms around the world. Along the way, one truth has become clear: organizations don't transform until leaders do.

That's why my work focuses on helping leaders see differently through courage, humility, and alignment, so they can shape the vision and culture their organizations need to thrive.

I don't believe in canned solutions. I believe in uncovering the latent capability in people, guiding leaders to ask better questions, and building systems that honor both continuous improvement and respect for people.

Darril presenting Lean Principles for Leaders keynote

Workshops and Keynotes

Interactive experiences that make courage and humility practical for leaders

Myths and Paradoxes of the Toyota Way

Understanding the principles behind the tools

The real power of Toyota lies in its paradoxes: standardization that enables innovation, humility that builds confidence, and systems thinking that honors individual contribution.

Key Outcomes:

  • Understand Toyota's paradoxical success principles
  • Learn how standardization enables innovation
  • Apply Toyota principles authentically in your context

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Timeless principles for leadership transformation

Stephen Covey's 7 Habits as an integrated system for character-based leadership that creates both personal effectiveness and organizational transformation.

Key Outcomes:

  • Master dependence to independence to interdependence
  • Develop proactive leadership focused on influence
  • Build win-win thinking and sustainable partnerships

Courage & Humility in Leadership

The paradox that powers authentic transformation

Great leaders embody courage to make difficult decisions while maintaining humility to learn, adapt, and admit when they're wrong. Explore how these forces work together.

Key Outcomes:

  • Balance courage and humility as complementary forces
  • Make bold decisions while staying open to feedback
  • Build psychological safety through humble leadership

Overcoming the Superhero Myth

From individual heroics to system-enabled success

Move from dependence on "superhero" employees to building systems that enable everyone to contribute their best work consistently and sustainably.

Key Outcomes:

  • Recognize hidden costs of superhero culture
  • Build systems that reduce dependence on heroics
  • Develop others' capabilities instead of solving for them

Custom Topics & Workshops

Every organization has unique challenges and context. Darril works with leadership teams to develop custom keynotes and workshops tailored to your specific needs, industry, and improvement goals.

Industry-Specific Applications

Adapt leadership principles to healthcare, manufacturing, technology, financial services, and other sectors.

Organizational Challenges

Address specific improvement opportunities like digital transformation, merger integration, or culture change.

Leadership Development Journeys

Design multi-session programs that build capability over time rather than one-time events.

What Audiences Say

"I've been deeply involved in lean for over 40 years. I have heard all the best speakers on the topic. Darril's presentation today was the best yet."
Bob Kerr, Leader Emeritus
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
"Darril has a rare ability to connect principle-based thinking with practical application, which makes his teaching powerful whether he is on stage, leading a workshop, or coaching a leader one-on-one."
Rebecca Michalik GAICD
National President of AME Australia
"He brings Toyota principles to life in a clear, practical way, no 'pie-in-the-sky' fairy tales about TPS, but real, relatable lessons you can actually apply."
Stephanie Roehr
Lean Facilitator, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters
"Darril is a great resource. He is knowledgeable, energetic and is a very good communicator. He delivered very well on the desired outcomes that were proposed."
Marco Raabe, MM
Mars Latin America
"In my 30 years of leading organizational improvements, Darril ranks in the top 1% of consultants. We achieved dramatic business outcomes: reducing costs by over $20 million annually."
Roy Plaeger-Brockway, MPA
CEO/Founder & Governor's Distinguished Leader

Connect to Speak

Transform your next leadership event with memorable, actionable insights that shift mindsets and build capability.

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