The most powerful management technique

By working extensively with Lean Management in different industry sectors across the globe, I have hands-on practiced one management technique that delivers outstanding results. It is not built around complex statistical software or coercive tactics.

“I have hands-on practiced one management technique that delivers outstanding results. It is not built around complex statistical software or coercive tactics”

One key element in the Lean philosophy is problem-solving which has a strong connection to continuous improvement and learning. Many organizations deploying Lean misses this element and struggle to change its management thinking and behaviors. Through a traditional organizational hierarchy, managers continue to lead improvement projects from their workplaces, people analyze bits of data on computer screens and a lot of efforts are done in creating perfect presentations for solving problems.

There is a simple solution: GO SEE FOR YOURSELF TO THOROUGHLY UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION.

This is called Genchi Genbutsu (another term is going to Gemba) and is described by Liker (2008) as: “going to the place to see the actual situation for understanding”. It is with our basic five senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste that we can send information to the brain. In this way, we can understand the world around us.

If you want to improve a process, analyze a problem or learn your people’s challenges: Go and observe for yourself in order to collect fact-based information. Go to Gemba and see why, what and how the real work is performed. The greatest management technique is directly contributing to continuous improvement and effective problem-solving.

It is said that it takes Toyota employees, many years to deeply understand Genchi Genbutsu. To go and see is the first step. Take every chance given to use this great technique to achieve effective problem-solving and continuous learning.