lean leadership

Matrices help prompt, organize, and efficiently display information. When the design is standardized, such as with (most) strategy deployment x-matrices, they facilitate a quick, universal grasp of the individual fields and their relationship with other fields. For example, a seasoned user can glance at an x-matrix and discern the small handful of breakthrough objectives, the associated annual (meaning this year’s) measurable targets, the corresponding annual improvement priorities, and their targets and means.

I recall my first encounter with my sensei, many, many years ago. I expressed amazement that he could so quickly observe processes and discern waste and opportunities. He assured me that, with practice, I would be able to do the same. At the time, it seemed like he was being nice or at least extremely overoptimistic. Fortunately, he was right.

The Traditional Ohno Circle

OK, we are not talking about the distinctive Japanese horseradish - you know, that green pasty stuff that, when taken in overaggressive quantities, will set your nasal cavity on fire. 

Instead, we’re covering one of the simplest, yet most powerful critical thinking devices available to all rational animals…ever. And it’s not just a lean thing.

I remember, years ago, watching my oldest child struggle in his attempt to loosen a bolt. This was one of those all too few, brief, and shining child-rearing moments where I could easily and quickly share some trusty words of wisdom. “Righty tighty, lefty loosey.” I’m pretty sure that my son’s response was somewhere in the vicinity of, “Huh?” Not the effect that I was looking for necessarily. …Nevertheless, I’m going to try to apply the same advice, but to a different subject (totally without threaded parts). Strategy deployment (a.k.a. policy deployment, hoshin kanri, etc.). Huh?

OK, I know that what I’m about to say may sound cynical, but 20 years of personal, hard knock lean experience tells me that this is reality. And most folks I think would, or at least should (I hope), agree with me. The majority of companies pursuing a lean implementation do so superficially. (Did I just hear you yawn?!) Many fail to understand the transformational lean principles, much less have the will to rigorously live them.

We’re all familiar with the Toyota Production System “house.” You know, the structure schematic with, among

We've all heard the flight attendant's compulsory safety announcement regarding oxygen masks.

In many ways, visual controls are a 24/7 mirror of leadership’s competency and credibility.

To borrow a phrase that was borrowed by Pope Benedict XVI for hi

This question is typically posed in response to a question that is deemed a bit nosey. It’s actually more of a statement. Along the lines of, “Mind you own business!” But, for the purpose of this post, it really is a question - one of, and for, the lean leader’s self-reflection. What truly is the purpose of the questions that we ask? Granted that we must always consider the particular situation, the intent of our questions says a lot about our own lean leadership effectiveness.