The Remedy: Bringing Lean Thinking Out of the Factory to Transform the Entire Organization

Chapter 3. What Have I Learned?

Sarah was still awake when I returned to our apartment in Hoboken. She made us drinks and we sat out on the balcony overlooking the Hudson River and the New York skyline, which always thrilled me. Be daring, it whispered. Life is short.

It was a soft summer night. A tugboat worked its way up the Hudson River. Sarah listened quietly as I recounted the day's events. "Sounds like it's an amazing opportunity—and a lot of work. Are you ready to work that hard again?"

Unspoken was our unfinished conversation. Would we marry? Would we have children? We'd been together five years. It was decision time. There were other questions, too. Would Sophie and Helen be okay with a little brother or sister? Would it affect my relationship with my ex-wife? If I took a killer job, would I have the energy to help Sarah?

"I'm ready to work hard," I replied. "Just want to make sure it doesn't become all-consuming. Know what I mean?"

Sarah topped up our wineglasses. "I know what you mean. Glad you're thinking about it."

The next day was Saturday and I drove across town to my ex-wife's apartment on the Upper East Side to pick up my girls. It's a fine old building with a nice fountain outside and an elegant foyer. Chris the doorman, a fellow Greek, has silver hair and a fine moustache. "Yiasou, levendi," he said. Our plan was to meet Sarah at the Humpty Dumpty for lunch, and then go bike-riding in Astoria Park.

I called Teal on the way and told her about the job offer. "If I took ...