What Are Your New Year’s Lean Resolutions
January 2nd, 2007 by HalRalph Bernstein writing at Lean Insider for Productivity Press posted his proposal for 10 Lean Resolutions for the New Year. I've not been able to keep more than two resolutions. So, here are my two favorites from his list of ten (but do visit Bob's list.):
- (For managers:) I will step back and not try to substitute my judgment for the team’s.
- I will try to learn about lean from other industries, not just my own.
Step out from your usual project setting to learn from others.I like the challenge in these two resolutions, particularly for the highly successful manager. The successful manager knows what contributed to success. Just do more of the same and one will be more successful. Right? Maybe not!
The lean approach celebrates the wisdom of the team. We've all heard that two are smarter than one, and three are smarter than two. What might be possible if we systematically tap into the wisdom of many?
Not only did Toyota learn from Ford, but they learned from the American supermarket. And they continued to learn form other industries just like Henry Ford learned from the slaughter houses.
Adjust your systems and practices to learn from many. Step out from your usual project setting to learn from others. Make 2007 the year that you brought the spirit of lean — the disposition of no satisfaction — to your work setting.
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