Lean Quote: Making Doing the Right Things Easy

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.

"Create an environment where doing the right thing is as easy as possible."   —  James Clear

On the shop floor, every shift is a mix of moving parts—machines, people, schedules, and unexpected problems. It’s tempting to push harder and faster. But if we’re not focused on the right work, speed won’t help. It’s like running full speed in the wrong direction.

Efficiency vs. Effectiveness

• Efficiency = Doing things right (tightening bolts quickly).
• Effectiveness = Doing the right things (tightening the bolts that keep the product safe).

Both matter—but effectiveness comes first. Leadership’s role is to make sure every operator knows exactly what the “right things” are, and that it’s the easy choice to do them.

On the Shop Floor, “Easy” Means:

• The correct tool is within arm’s reach—no hunting for it.
• The standard work instructions are right where you need them, clear and visual.
• Quality checks are built into the process, not tacked on at the end.
• Communication flows quickly from leadership to operators and back again.

Why It Matters
If the environment makes the right action harder than the shortcut, people will take the shortcut. That’s not a training problem—it’s a design problem. Leaders create the system; the system shapes behavior.

From Crisis Mode to Control Mode
When we live in crisis management—jumping from fire to fire—quality drops, deadlines slip, and stress spikes.
When we shift to a proactive mode:

1. Plan first – Identify the top 20% of activities that give 80% of the results.
2. Communicate clearly – Everyone knows the day’s priorities before machines start running.
3. Make it visible – Use boards, signals, and metrics so progress is obvious.
4. Track and adjust – Review results at the end of shift and fix roadblocks fast.

The Leadership Connection
Leaders aren’t just decision-makers—they’re environment designers. Every barrier removed, every visual cue added, every tool placed correctly is leadership in action. When the right thing is the path of least resistance, people do it naturally.

Bottom Line
High-payoff activities drive focus. Focus drives performance. Performance drives results. And the fastest way to improve all three is to design a workplace where doing the right thing is the easiest thing.