A Lean Journey 
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.
“Why not make the work easier and more interesting so that people do not have to sweat? The Toyota style is not to create results by working hard. It is a system that says there is no limit to people’s creativity. People don’t go to Toyota to ‘work’ they go there to ‘think.” — Taiichi Ohno
In most
companies, Lean Thinking quickly becomes focused on process improvement. This
type of improvement is easier, more obvious, measurable, and seemingly more
profitable and transferable than people improvement. That’s why most places
make the mistake of reporting only process improvement metrics.
companies, Lean Thinking quickly becomes focused on process improvement. This
type of improvement is easier, more obvious, measurable, and seemingly more
profitable and transferable than people improvement. That’s why most places
make the mistake of reporting only process improvement metrics.
People get
taken for granted.
taken for granted.
This occurs
because (so called) Lean experts don’t know how to effectively include respect
for people as they apply Lean tools.
because (so called) Lean experts don’t know how to effectively include respect
for people as they apply Lean tools.
The solution is
simple. Measure respect for people improvement as much as you measure
continuous process improvement.
simple. Measure respect for people improvement as much as you measure
continuous process improvement.
For example:
Is every
employee trained sufficiently to do the job successfully?
employee trained sufficiently to do the job successfully?
How often do
workgroups suggest an improvement?
workgroups suggest an improvement?
Can every
employee access the boss when needed?
employee access the boss when needed?
How many
employees solve problems and implement solutions?
employees solve problems and implement solutions?
Are employees
learning new skills?
learning new skills?
Do employees
end most days satisfied?
end most days satisfied?
Is every
employee part of a team?
employee part of a team?
Is the turnover
rate low?
rate low?
What’s the
percentage of internal promotion?
percentage of internal promotion?
And anything
and everything else that leaders and employees think are important.
and everything else that leaders and employees think are important.
As a leader, if
you prepare the people, respect the people, and grow the people, you’ll be
improving the people side of Lean Thinking.
you prepare the people, respect the people, and grow the people, you’ll be
improving the people side of Lean Thinking.
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