Lean Government in Action: Sheila Montney on Applying the Shingo Model to Public Sector Transformation

In this episode, we sit down with Sheila Montney — a 35-year State Farm veteran, Shingo Academy inductee, and city council member in Bloomington, IL — to explore how lean principles and the Shingo Model are reshaping local government operations. Sheila shares her journey from corporate continuous improvement leader to a trailblazer in the public sector, addressing a longstanding gap in tailored lean training and cultural transformation strategies for municipalities.

From developing custom e-learning modules to launching regional cohorts and championing public-private partnerships, Sheila provides deep insight into how respect for people, measurable outcomes, and sustainable cultural change are becoming cornerstones of more effective, resilient government services.

Key Highlights:

1. How the Shingo Model’s culture-first approach aligns with the needs of public service

2. Success stories from initiatives like the Cook County Forest Preserves

3. Innovative strategies to build capability in smaller municipalities through regional cohorts

and e-learning

4. The importance of linking improvements to ROI and requiring knowledge transfer in

consulting engagements

Whether you’re a public servant, CI practitioner, or just curious about how lean thinking can make government work better — this episode is for you.