I was sitting with some guys discussing ways to help “lean” catch on. One of the points raised was that those in authority must learn to be less “certain.”

One person put it well:
“When you’re in charge, people ask you for solutions, and you get used to giving them. I’m learning that the solution I give may work, but it may not be the best solution. So, I’m taking the time to ask others in the room how they would approach the problem being discussed.”

This assessment hits the mark. Lean thinking encourages us to question every process and consider whether improvements can be made. In fact, the longer we’ve been doing something the same way, the more we should stop and ask if there’s a better approach.

I’ve heard it said about a cocky person that they were “frequently wrong but seldom in doubt.” Lean thinking pushes us to be open, humble, and willing to question the status quo, opening the door to continuous improvement.

-Howe Q. Wallace Jr