Your team is hesitant about setting ambitious Lean goals. How can you inspire them to aim higher?

Building trust starts with showing up and being present throughout the day. Gemba walks and Leader Standard Work are great ways to hold yourself accountable to being present (if this is a new habit for you). When you become more visible and show genuine care for the individuals and the health of the process, people will buy into making changes and start sharing their own amazing improvement ideas. Start slow, show the impact of lean, then fully engage them to move forward with more lofty challenges.

Many people have experienced failed lean implementations and have grown skeptical, believing that if they resist long enough, the initiative will fade away. Paul Akers' 2 Second Lean approach offers a way to overcome this resistance by helping employees immediately see the benefits through the "fix what bugs you" method. Instead of spending time on extensive training upfront, start by explaining the 8 wastes and encouraging employees to use organization and visual management to address small, immediate problems that affect them directly. Once they see the positive impact of these changes, you can gradually introduce more in-depth training on lean theory and additional tools as they become ready. Let them pull.

One of the biggest concerns/fears I hear from people is the perception that lean is about job elimination. To address this, I've worked with companies that implement a policy and communication plan ensuring that no one will lose their job due to an improvement event. While their skills and talents might be redirected to another department, their employment remains secure. However, if the new lean work environment isn't a good fit for them, they have the option to leave voluntarily.

When your team expresses apprehension about achieving 'ambitious' goals, it's an opportunity to reflect on whether you've adequately prepared them to embrace straightforward and incremental improvements. Lean methodology emphasizes making small, consistent strides every day or week. Begin by envisioning your ideal outcome, then deconstruct it into practical, short-term targets that can be achieved within a reasonable time frame. This approach not only fosters continuous progress but also ensures that each milestone contributes effectively to your overall objectives.