Lean Quote: Gang up on the Problem, Not Each Other

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"The secret is to gang up on the problem, rather than each other." — Thomas Stallkamp

Collaboration provides the cornerstone for engaging others to come to a consensus around critical decisions and problem solving.  Most organizations benefit enormously from transforming their basis for leading and managing to a collaborative workplace. The results from companies that have a collaborative workplace include:

• Organizations collaborate internally to compete externally.
• Decisions are faster, of higher quality, and customer-driven.
• Decisions are made on the basis of principle rather than power or personality, resulting in greater buy-in and impact.
• The energy of the workplace is focused on the customer rather than on internal conflicts.
• Cycle time is substantially reduced and non-value adding work eliminated.
• The productive capacity of the workplace increases.
• Strategic alliances that might have failed not only succeed, but build trust and produce extraordinary results.
• Return on investment increases dramatically.
• Span of control increases substantially.
• The workplace takes on full responsibility and accountability for the success of the enterprise, to the point where some teams have themselves.
• Conflict is reduced as work relationships open up and  build trust.
• The fear is gone - change is seen as a positive opportunity.
• The organization is self-sufficient in sustaining the ongoing development of the company.

Creating a collaborative workplace means making a commitment to a new way of working together.  It is not a quick fix.  It is an ongoing process.



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