The Imperative of Lean Leadership

The imperative of lean leadership. In the ever-evolving landscape of business management, the Lean methodology has emerged as a key player. However, its adoption and implementation pose significant challenges and opportunities for leadership. This discussion aims to delve into these aspects, reflecting on the current state of Lean leadership and exploring pathways towards more effective implementation. As leaders who believe in Lean as a method to improve business outcomes, we should feel collective shame.

Lean’s Effectiveness and Challenges

We have seen it work, although for most of us not at the level of the entire company. The data I have seen indicates that Lean (at the corporate level) is successful in less than 1% of cases, yet we do not use the methods and tools we were taught to do something about it. We are skilled problem solvers. Instead of gathering to talk about Lean’s failures and complaining about culture and our leaders, let’s do something different…

Adopting a Proactive and Progressive Approach

Let’s be more #Proactive, more #Practical, and more focused on #Progress than #Perfection. Let’s work on making gradual improvements each year… with Lean principles as our guiding star.

Setting Goals and Embracing Change

Let’s define the current State of Lean each year and design the next Desired Future State with key indicators and goals, so we can celebrate successes and analyze the causes of failures. Let’s use the Organizational Change Management (OCM) approach and tools to counter resistance and gain more acceptance. By the way, I know for sure that some leading Lean organizations in the USA use OCM when they acquire and try to assimilate a new organization into their culture.

Conclusion: The Path Forward for Lean Leadership

The imperative of lean leadership. The journey towards effective Lean leadership is fraught with challenges but also ripe with opportunities. By adopting a proactive approach, focusing on practical progress, and embracing organizational change management, leaders can steer their organizations towards a more successful Lean implementation. It’s crucial to continuously set goals, assess progress, and adapt strategies to ensure that Lean principles not only guide us but also translate into tangible business improvements.