Hey everyone! Let’s talk about another huge mistake people make. Some people think that “doing Lean” is like a chore you finish and then check off your list.
Newsflash: Lean is not a quick fix or a one-time thing. It’s a journey that never actually ends. Buckle up, because we are busting Myth #3!
Myth: "We’re Done Being Lean"
Some people think Lean is just a checklist. They think they can tick all the boxes and say, “Okay, we’re Lean now!” and then put the list in a drawer.
Real talk: Lean is a mindset. It becomes part of the “DNA” of a company. It’s not something you do; it’s how you think every single day.
The Garden Analogy
Think of Lean like a garden. You can’t just water a plant once and expect it to stay alive forever. If you want a garden to look amazing, you have to:
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Pull the weeds (get rid of waste).
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Water the plants (check your processes).
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Give it sun (make sure the team is happy).
If you stop paying attention, the weeds come back and your garden dies. Lean is exactly the same!
It’s a Lifestyle, Not a Trend
Lean isn’t like a New Year’s resolution where you hit the gym for a week and then go back to sitting on the couch. It’s also not like those “Flavor of the Month” programs where the bosses get excited about a new idea for thirty days and then everyone forgets about it by next month.
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A Program is temporary (like a quick office cleanup).
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A Culture is permanent (like a lifestyle change).
In a Lean culture, everyone is always looking for ways to make things just a little bit better. Instead of a one-time “sprint,” it’s more like a marathon that you keep running at a steady pace.
Measuring Success: Progress > Perfection
In the Lean world, there is no “finish line.” Success isn’t about being perfect; it’s about making progress. Imagine you are playing a video game. Even when you beat a hard level, there is always a new high score to chase. Perfection is a moving target, and that’s okay! There is always room to level up.
Making the Good Stuff Stick
The hardest part isn’t making a change—it’s making that change stay. Sustaining Lean means making sure the new, better way of working becomes the “normal” way. We don’t want to slide back into our old, bad habits.
Final Thoughts
In a world that is always changing, Lean is like a compass. it helps you navigate problems and find new opportunities. It’s a journey of learning and growing that never stops.
So, let’s stop looking for the exit sign—there isn’t one! And that’s what makes it an adventure.