Lean Alert: Focus on respect for people

The Toyota Way has two fundamental elements. As we have worked to learn about lean from Toyota, most manufacturers focus just on continuous improvement.

The real power of lean is to fully engage people’s heads and hearts to create habits that result in achievement and fulfillment.

The primary focus of leadership is to create an inspirational environment for people to embrace, implement and live lean concepts. Without focusing equally strong efforts on “respect for people” manufacturers will not create nor sustain any significant business improvements.

The real power of lean is to fully engage people’s heads and hearts to create habits that result in achievement and fulfilment. Create a people-centric leadership style and approach, and understand the critical importance of lean’s cultural component.

Click here for more information about the Association of Manufacturing Excellence (AME), Canada.