Comments on: "Love" or "Lean," This Quote Rings True

By: 2009 Management Improvement Carnival « TimeBack Management

2009 Management Improvement Carnival « TimeBack Management — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:47:02 +0000

[...] From Mark’s LeanBlog, I’ve chosen the following: [...]

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By: Michael Lombard

Michael Lombard — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:30:47 +0000

"Command-and-control ogre"…good one…reminds me of several construction managers that I've met in my line of work. In fact, I'd say that is pretty much part of the standard job description in the construction industry. One of the big challenges of trying to develop a Lean management system in my industry is getting our managers to loosen up a little bit and stop commanding and controlling all the time, but without misinterpreting the "respect for people" principle as a laissez-faire approach.

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By: Andrew Bishop

Andrew Bishop — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:15:44 +0000

Standardization needs to always be an invitation to improve. The standard allows us (and anyone else) to see the anomalies, the problems, the surprises, and address them together.To not do that once you understand it and can see how, does indeed look like coawardice and apathy.When have I backslid in my lean journey? Too many times to enumerate in this forum, but we try to live in the improvement cycle. In personal development of a leader PDCA might be captured as "success isn't never falling down, but getting up one more time than you fall"

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By: Joe Dager

Joe Dager — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:50:47 +0000

Nice post and great analogy. In reflection, I offer another analogy: Finding the middle ground may be another phrase for continuous improvement.

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By: Dale

Dale — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:40:52 +0000

When a company begins the Lean journey the tendancy is to be more "command and control" because management sees the need for Lean implementation but the people may not understand it. Associates see standardized work and 5S as just another way that management is trying to control their work lives. They may have heard the horror stories of L.A.M.E. and therefore they resist the idea of Lean outright. It is critical that all associates be trained in the true meaning of the Lean principles and tools so that they can actively participate in the transformation of the company. Then, as associates are given the opportunity and responsibility of making improvements to their work, mangement can take more of a partnership approach. The people that "get it" will appreciate mangement holding others accountable in order to sustain the improvements they see with Lean. Those who resist will eventually find themselves on the outside looking in because even their fellow associates will not tolerate their negative attitudes and resulting non-constructive actions. Empowerment, responsibility, and accountability go hand-in-hand and as management and associates work together, a good middle ground can be reached and the company culture will be transformed to one of continuous improvement.

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By: Bryan

Bryan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:36:47 +0000

Amen.

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