Purpose: This paper investigates the prominent enablers and barriers to effective lean leadership as organizations steer towards higher maturity levels. The data and associated analysis uncover the common practices, enablers and barriers organizations encounter, in applying lean leadership behaviours and practices. This study exposes suggested strategies and approaches organizations employ to overcome barriers towards lean leadership. Methodology: Deploying a survey, leaders, and team members representing the public, civil service and HEIs’ sectors depicting various levels of lean maturity were engaged in South Africa and in the United Kingdom. Limitations: Despite adopting a reliable stratified sampling frame to investigate the prevailing status within the UK and South Africa, with capacity the sampling size could have been enhanced. Every effort was taken safeguarding incorporating the quality aspects. Findings: The research sheds light on the evolution of lean leadership practices as organisation policy makers navigate the inherent complexities, offering key insights towards enhancing their lean leadership capabilities. The findings would prove invaluable to the Higher Education Sector. Practical Implications: The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities relating to lean leadership in lean environments. It provides rich knowledge of the traits, values, behaviours, and mindsets necessary. Theoretical Implications: The systems approach is validated since organisations achieving higher Lean leadership maturity demonstrated it consists of an arrangement of leadership competencies, practices, and behaviours. Originality/Value: No other study has focused on UK and South Africa to investigate the concept of Lean leadership within the civil service, public and H.E. sectors determining best practices whilst accentuating the barriers.