Working Great!

Significant sustained Lean success depends almost solely on leaders and the culture they foster. No doubt some area-specific and short-term gains can be realized via a top-down, tools-based approach. But broad, ongoing and organic improvement that is embraced by almost all employees requires a unique environment, one carefully defined and nurtured by leaders. Unfortunately, many leaders and managers embark on their Lean initiative with a focus on tools either observed during a benchmarking tour, disclosed during a short symposium presentation, or peddled by their chosen Lean partner. They are ill-equipped to understand the critical behavior and attitude changes that will be required of them and their staff to sustain tools-based improvements and, more importantly, to effectively promote and harvest employees’ innovation to remove waste. Working Great! provides an overview of a successful Lean journey. Just as a would-be traveler consults a travel brochure and websites prior to reserving a seat on a given vacation tour, this book provides potential Lean leaders with an overview prior to embarking on a Lean initiative. And unlike purely promotional materials, Working Great! provides an honest, culture-first assessment of Lean with an emphasis on the leaders’ responsibilities for a successful mission – and the information required to determine if they and their organization are up for the journey. Working Great! gives readers: A clear understanding of the relative importance and relationship between culture and tools for lasting Lean success Advice on various key strategic decisions such as choosing an external consultant and an internal coordinator Lessons to help take the mystery out of culture A heavy emphasis on specific critical leadership behaviors which support the desired culture Suggestions for selecting new employees and, more importantly, supervisors that will thrive in a Lean environment Recommendations for effectively "rounding" on employees; a vital habit for Lean leaders An appreciation for the importance of – and tools to aid in – prioritizing and managing personal time as leaders shift their focus to building a Lean organization (including the significance of time off) Information on how various Lean tools support a Lean culture and are not a destination in themselves Case studies to describe realistic aspirations and to provide inspiration and encouragement during inevitable setbacks