Lean Tools Are For Managers, Too

Lean methods are typically thought of by managers as tools designed to create and support behavior change on the part of employees. Yet how many times have you heard it said that the successful lean journey requires a change in culture? It’s a statement that makes it into the first chapter of every article, book, and text on lean. Both of us (Rick and Ron) are fond of saying, “Lean tools are easy, it’s the necessary culture change that’s difficult.”