Here are four specific characteristics Lean leaders can follow that will develop a Lean culture:
1. Continuous Improvement system support
2. Employee recognition (formally and informally)
3. Promotional activities
4. Mutually established goals
Leadership Support
Nothing is more important to a team member's sense of success than to know that what he or she does is appreciated, is important, and makes a difference. Team members feel successful when leaders take notice of what they are doing. Leaders must show sincere interest in their efforts. Leaders who walk the shop floor and show interest in team members and their activities will keep their workforce engaged in actively seeking another opportunity to improve their work. This means that the leaders must be willing to speak with team members and sometimes hear things that they wish were not so. Keeping this open communication will foster effective job relations and strengthen the workplace.
The cost to the company to have this "face time" with team members is the leader's time. This time is not lost but is an investment in the Kaizen Culture. This was demonstrated to me by my plant president, Mr. Fujio Cho. Mr. Cho was the president of TMMK (Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc.) from December 1988 until October 1994. Mr. Cho shared with me on numerous occasions that the quarterly tour was one of his favorite activities because he got to Gemba Genbutsu. Go to the actual place where the work is done. Spending time with the team members at their place of work and talking with them about their improvement brought smiles to Mr. Cho and the team members. I would accompany Mr. Cho on a tour through the plant to visit specific improvement initiatives. The improvements were selected through a series of elimination activities until each department leader had one representing his area. Even this elimination process brought recognition to even more team members. Managers would nominate one or two from their areas. The department leaders and their direct reports would discuss these and do their own Go-and-See activity with the nominated team members. The department leader would select the one to represent that department.