Proof That Nelson from The Simpsons is Not a Good Kaizen Coach

27
5

If you know me, you know I'm a huge fan of The Simpsons. The show has been on TV for 25 of my 40 years.

The cable channel FXX is having an “Every Simpsons Ever” marathon, showing all 552 episodes over 12 days.

I'm watching it here and there, especially my favorite episodes from the early to mid 90s.

I'm nobody thinks Nelson, the bully, would be a good Kaizen coach, working with employees on constructive continuous improvement activities, but this clip made me chuckle:

What mistakes does he make?

First, he tells Lisa she's “doing that the stupid way” (that being drawing lines on the chalkboard for musical notation).

Secondly, he gives her an answer, telling her to use “the deal with the five chalks” (like this).

He does tell her “why” at least (she'll be able to do it faster). Nelson ignores the quality aspect of drawing five equidistant, equally straight lines all at once.

Lisa pushes back (there's some plot and subtext here of her having a crush on Nelson).

Nelson blows her off comment with a “whatever” and walks away.

The next time you go to the Gemba, don't be a Nelson.


What do you think? Please scroll down (or click) to post a comment. Or please share the post with your thoughts on LinkedIn – and follow me or connect with me there.

Did you like this post? Make sure you don't miss a post or podcast — Subscribe to get notified about posts via email daily or weekly.


Check out my latest book, The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation:

Get New Posts Sent To You

Select list(s):
Previous articleMy #IceBucketChallenge Video for #ALS and Patient Safety
Next articleTo Create a Culture of Continuous Improvement, Put Away the Gavel!
Mark Graban
Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, author, and professional speaker, and podcaster with experience in healthcare, manufacturing, and startups. Mark's new book is The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation. He is also the author of Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More, the Shingo Award-winning books Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen, and the anthology Practicing Lean. Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology company KaiNexus.

5 COMMENTS

    • Thanks!

      From the description of the episode:

      Homer decides to try for a promotion at Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and suggests several ideas to Mr. Burns, all of which are rejected.

      Ah, typical suggestion systems… most of them are rejected!

    • At about 7:25 into the video, Homer does some Kaizen (he doesn’t call it that) at home (installing a key hook on the wall for Marge (although the previous method of putting the keys in a bowl right underneath seemed OK)

      Homer is inspired to put up a poster of the “Swedish Efficiency Team” (covering up a bikini team poster):

      At 8:02, Homer’s life improvement book says to “point out problems to your boss.”

      So he goes on a bit of a “Gemba Walk” to look for problems and idea (although his book suggests he “tattle on the cattle,” which isn’t very Kaizen-like). He does find a number of safety problems, including a “safety shower” that shoots fire.

      Homer then famously discovers that the coffee room, cream room, and stirrers room are three separate rooms that people have to walk between!

      Funny stuff!

  1. More from that Simpsons episode:

    Homer says: “Mr. Burns has never given me a thumbs up or a ‘way to be’ or a ‘you go girl’. He steps all over everyone who works for him and takes pleasure in making us feel small.”

    He wants some recognition for his ideas.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.