by Lee Fried, on 20 Jul 2006 10:36 am
The Journey
Pull from the Gemba
For the last couple of weeks I have been spending most of my time working with leadership on strategy work. I enjoy this type of work, but have been missing the gemba. While I know this work is important to our long-term success, I have had to fight a subconscious pull to get back to where the value added work is happening. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to conduct a process walk and after the walk I felt energized. Last night I realized just how much LEAN has changed me. Two years ago I would have been perfectly content to spend all of my time working on “important strategic projects” in the comfort of the Executive Office. Now I realize that if I am going to ever make a “real contribution” it will have to be made from where the work is happening. I wonder if others have felt this change?