Lean thinking advocates are largely excited about Lean. As we learn more about what Lean thinking, and ultimately a Lean lifestyle, entails the enthusiasm often grows. We need to remember that for many people this Lean stuff is scary – very scary! When we ask some leaders to transition from commanders and controllers to partners […]
Boo! Lean Can Be Scary Read More »
Plus: Good time management, Good summary of LCI Congress small project presentations, Discussion on Lean and enterprise culture training. Delta: Develop solutions to encourage better attendance, Focus on developing a plan that supports the mission.
Leadership Team Meeting Plus-Delta Read More »
The article cited in yesterday’s post linked to the video below of a presentation by Lindred Greer, an organizational behavior professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. In the video she notes the almost automatic human tendency when disagreeing to make it personal, even when the difference is clearly objective. Her caution: check the perspective
Don’t Take it Personally Read More »
Here’s an article worth reading regarding the danger of overly hierarchical cultures, and how they can inhibit voice. http://chiefexecutive.net/stanford-professor-identifies-top-three-problems-top-leadership/?eid=330656707&bid=1559195 The article cites a presentation by Lindred Greer, an organizational behavior professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She states that hierarchy is natural, as people often look for one person to lead them, and
Dealing With Hierarchy Read More »
The New England Patriots’ trademarked “Do Your Job” slogan defines in a simple, short statement a philosophy cited for fueling the team’s success. James Kerr, writing in Inc. magazine in 2015, provided the following interpretation of the phrase: Communicate the Game Plan to your people by providing a compelling vision for them to buy into
Do Your Job – Why the Meaning Behind Slogans is Important Read More »
Plus: Forming group closer than existing groups; Meeting other people interested in Lean; Diverse group of people; Awesome food; Having experienced people in the conversation; Time of day; Past experience discussion. Delta: Bring project owners to next meetings.
Group Formation Meeting Plus-Delta Read More »
Since near their beginning of Lean Construction thinking Glenn Ballard and Greg Howell have made the case that construction ought not be treated as a combination of activities, but understood to be a production system. A Lean project is not simply the design of the building, but also the concurrent design of the delivery process.
Designing Project Relationships Read More »
Occasionally people will express that a Lean project transformation will not work for them because “someone else” needs to also buy into the Lean approach. For a builder that someone else might be the project owner. For a trade contractor that someone else might be the construction manager. Yes, of course the more players on
Improve What You Can – Everyone Has a Sphere of Influence Read More »
There are people in football stadiums today who will take personal responsibility for their role in helping their team win the game. They will feel they need to yell loud enough to disrupt the opponent’s offensive plays, and that their team may lose the game without this support. It’s a little silly to think that
A Passion for Personal Responsibility Read More »
Steve Spear recounts in a recent presentation how Bill Belichick coaches the New England Patriots in part by intensely asking players questions about what they would do in specific game situations. As opposed to giving directions, the questions require that everyone, including Belichick, think about the possible actions and in these question based conversations invent
Coaching Through Questions Read More »
