When your team is clashing over different Lean methodologies, the first step is to bring everyone back to the core principles of Lean: eliminating waste and driving continuous improvement. Acknowledge that there’s more than one way to approach a problem, and emphasize that the end goal is shared. Facilitate a discussion where each approach is evaluated on its impact, efficiency, and alignment with team goals. By focusing on outcomes rather than methods, you can mediate effectively and guide the team toward a solution that serves the bigger picture.

To effectively mediate conflicts over Lean methodologies, we should start by organizing structured brainstorming sessions to promote creative problem-solving and collaboration. Here we need to delve into the underlying values of each methodology to gain new insights and use a metrics-driven approach to assess their most effective elements for consensus-building. While encouraging compromise, we must nurture a culture of experimentation by piloting combined elements on a smaller scale. We should inspire the team to explore innovative integrations, such as Lean with Agile or Six Sigma, and emphasize adaptability as a mindset that views conflict as a growth opportunity, ultimately enhancing team cohesion and effectiveness.

When Lean methodologies clash, I find it effective to refocus the team on our shared goals of eliminating waste and driving improvement. I encourage open dialogue to understand each perspective and evaluate each approach based on impact and alignment with objectives. Often, a blended approach that draws from the strengths of each methodology can be the best path forward. Lean is about flexibility, not rigid adherence to one method.

To mediate clashes over lean methodologies, first, create a space where everyone can share their viewpoints openly, showing that each perspective is valued. Facilitate a discussion to identify common goals and understand how each methodology might contribute to them. Focus on the specific outcomes you’re trying to achieve, and assess which elements of each approach can best serve those objectives. Encourage compromise by selecting the most practical or high-impact methods from each side and remind the team that adaptability is key in Lean. A blended approach often brings out the best of both methodologies.

This is the danger of becoming too attached to specific lean tools or becoming a "purist" on brands or philosophies of lean. Teams can become dogmatic about it (and dig in stubbornly). The best antidote for this is for leaders to teach that the goal of lean is continuous improvement in service of a mission. When teams disagree on lean methods, a good CI leader focuses the team on the mission we are trying to achieve, and has the team discuss the merits of their positions in terms of what would most effectively achieves the team objective. The method that does so, should be the one you go with. Teach your teams that lean is about employing methods that best achieve the mission, it is not altering the mission to fit the desired method!