What do you do if your assertiveness is met with resistance in a Lean Manufacturing career?

Primeiro, é essencial entender as causas da resistência. Comunique claramente os benefícios do Lean para todos os envolvidos e mostre como as mudan?as impactar?o positivamente suas rotinas e resultados. Utilize dados e exemplos concretos para ilustrar melhorias obtidas em outras áreas ou projetos. Engaje as equipes no processo de mudan?a desde o início, ouvindo suas preocupa??es e incorporando feedback para adaptar a abordagem conforme necessário. Proporcione treinamento adequado e suporte contínuo para garantir que todos se sintam preparados e confiantes.

I have no doubts, all changes starts with resistence, make part of all human being, but you need to be perseverant with the team and understand the gaps. All resistance is a sum of lack of knowlegde and when you start to explain the real context and include the operators from the process and they start to feel as a part of solution, 75% of your challenge will be reduce. Promote project in team and gave them targets SMART, generate the PDCA and celebrate the results.

If aggressiveness is met with opposition in a Lean Manufacturing profession, tackle the problem diplomatically. First, I would try to understand the reasons behind the opposition by attentively listening to concerns and opinions. Then I'd gently explain the rationale for my assertive actions, emphasizing their alignment with Lean concepts and the benefits they provide to the organization. If necessary, I would engage in an open dialogue to clear up any misunderstandings and explore potential compromises that accommodate multiple points of view while keeping the integrity of Lean methodologies. Finally, I hope to create a collaborative and solution-oriented workplace.

First, it’s crucial to understand the root cause of the resistance. Is it fear of change, lack of understanding, or perhaps disagreement with the proposed methods? I’ve found that direct conversations, asking open-ended questions, and listening actively can uncover the reasons behind resistance. In one instance, resistance to a new lean tool implementation stemmed from a team's fear of job loss; understanding this concern was the first step in addressing it.

If assertiveness meets resistance in a Lean Manufacturing career, adapt communication strategies. Foster open dialogue to understand concerns and address them effectively. Emphasize the shared goal of process improvement and demonstrate the benefits of assertive approaches. Build trust by delivering results and seeking input from colleagues. Seek mentorship or training in conflict resolution and communication to refine assertiveness skills. Persist with professionalism and patience, navigating resistance with empathy and persistence toward continuous improvement.

Building strong, trusting relationships with team members and colleagues can significantly reduce resistance. I've made efforts to connect with my team on both professional and personal levels, showing genuine interest in their well-being and career aspirations. This relationship-building paid dividends when proposing changes or new projects, as the team was more open to listening and giving the benefit of the doubt due to the trust we had built.

When encountering resistance, leveraging Gemba walks to gather real-time data and using Kaizen events as evidence can demonstrate the effectiveness of Lean practices. For instance, presenting data from before and after implementing 5S can visually and quantitatively demonstrate improvements in efficiency and safety, making a compelling case for Lean initiatives

Use visual management tools, such as Kanban boards or A3 reports, can help in conveying complex information in an accessible manner. Adjusting your communication to include more Lean terminology and concepts, while ensuring understanding, can help bridge gaps. For example, when discussing process improvements, using value stream mapping exercises to visually illustrate where waste occurs and how it can be eliminated can be more effective than abstract discussions.

Offering Lean training that emphasizes hands-on, practical learning can demystify Lean concepts and demonstrate their value. For instance, conducting Kaizen workshops where team members can actively participate in identifying waste and implementing improvements can foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of Lean principles. Additionally, leveraging Jidoka (autonomation) principles in training can help team members understand how to build quality into the manufacturing process.