hint: it’s all about leadership, empowerment and accountability
In Lean manufacturing, there’s a lot of focus on standardisation. This is born out of the idea to control quality and to minimise waste in the process. Having well documented processes, proper Standard Work at Genba, ensures work is done the way it should be done. It eliminates surprises and makes the outcome of a process predictable. We like predictability. (We actually like certainty more and often confuse the two concepts – but that’s another post for later).
And yet, in the culture of Kaizen, everything is about finding new and better ways. It’s about continuously challenging the status quo, finding ways to improve quality, yield and efficiency, while getting rid of cost, inventory and wasted talent.
But how can an environment that is so focused on standardisation and control of outcome, be a good breeding ground for improvement, new ideas, better suggestions or even a bold thing like innovation?
The answer is as brilliant as it is simple and can be explained by Lean’s focus on Empowerment, Accountability and Leadership. While standard things are standardised, documented and measured with appropriate KPIs through Visual Management, there’s a lot of clutter taken out of the head of the people working in the process. With solid Standard Work and meaningful KPI’s they know what to look for and needn’t worry about all kinds of issues. The KPI’s will tell them when there are issues.
Creating headspace and becoming more intentional
With that extra headspace, all members of a team are empowered to take time to reflect. True leadership also challenges the team to be fully aware and intentional with their habits and with their standard work. They should not turn into robots just doing what they always do, we want people to take accountability, feel connected to customers to be mindful and intentional.
If anything this is a leadership topic. Good leaders of course lead by example, as well as challenge and coach their teams on this. In a humble way, showing they care for employees and customers.