The following quote in a company newsletter is from a client praising the company (name withheld to protect the bulk thinkers). “It is hard to estimate the number of after-hour texts and weekend phone calls which (XYZ Company) quickly and professionally responded to.”

Lean team members often report that after their first Lean / Last Planner project they were pleasantly surprised how much of their non-work life they could reclaim. After-hour texts and weekend phone calls are not indicators of heroism – they indicate lack of or poor planning conversations and most likely a command and control approach to project work.

True project heroes understand that Lean principles applied by a fully collaborative and engaged team lead to success – and no need to be rescued after hours and on weekends.