I believe the Great California Redwoods can provide us with some tips to help us to sustain lean from a Leadership perspective.
One of the fundamental reasons why Lean is not sustained is due to Leadership. So, we need to ensure our leaders are engaged in our Lean journey right from the start.
There are 3 key principles coming from the Model of the California Redwoods that can help us:
1. Purpose: The purpose for the tree is very simple to grow healthy, survive against the harshest of climates and storms and propagate seeds to grow more trees. Your Lean strategy and plan also needs to have a clear and simple purpose, understood by all. Avoid making it academic or overly complicated.
2. Plan: You cannot become a 280 ft tree that stands the test of time unless you have a strong plan and strategy which is built into the tree’s DNA. The DNA within every cell automatically serves as leaders for the growth of the tree. Within the seeds are all these necessary components to become a majestic sequoia redwood. You need to have a solid plan right from the start, which must include what part your leaders play and the way they interact with your people. It must be clear from the outset how both will function together, supporting one another.
3. People: The only way trees that are 280 ft tall can withstand storms and high winds on the mountain slopes is by having their roots inter-twined with other tree roots. Together they support each other. It’s critically important for leaders that we focus on connecting people together not only within their own teams but cross functionally across other teams. Break down the silos as they’re destructive to growth. As leaders, go to the gemba, watch, listen, ask questions, learn and if you encounter issues, action improvement. Train your people to be problem solvers.
I believe these tips coming from the model of the Great California Redwoods, will help your Leaders in making the transformation sustainable.