STARTING AGAIN | LBCC 2.12

I believe that Lean expands the mindset of traditional management systems making it more inclusive of all individuals. it’s more about how we solve problems rather than controlling the environment we are in. What’s your experience? Is our personal life much different?

The WHY: we are surrounded with opportunities to identify and fix problems…From our workplaces to our families and personal relationships. Is there one right way to start again after a solution fails? are Lean Leaders better prepared to start again? Or can you get the same result without lean?

The WIIFM: If the problems we face fail, it may be extremely difficult to start again. The leaders that shape the environment and mindset to start again become the most important teachers and guides in the organization’s cultural development. As a disclosure: I’m referring to common problems everyone face professionally and personally, not life shattering problems. If you are facing the latter type of problem, I encourage you or your loved ones to seek professional support and help.

my Advice: As a Lean Leader myself, I know that I directly impact the culture of the organization and its ability to start again after a failed initiative or solution. If I turn my back on the problem, so will my team. If i face it head on, my team will too. It seems trivial to say that one person’s behavior can have this kind of impact, but as a Lean facilitator, it definitely does. Be wise with that influential power.

• PERSONALLY: I do not believe that you have to be a lean leader to develop the ability to start again. Of Course Starting again has a lot to do with dealing with failure, it requires patience and humility. There is also an element of acceptance with our part in the failure. If we are determined to not shy away from the problem and have a mindset to try, try, try; we will seek or find ways to start again. I encourage the development of good coping mechanisms and for us to seek support and help where needed.
  
• PROFESSIONALLY: Lean Professionals or Leanierologists develop the skill of dealing with failure because we face failure more often and it is our job to help the team start again. Each time step-backs happen, we learn different ways to break the problem down into simpler, more manageable chunks. A Lean Professional has the ability to see opportunities because we are more familiar with failure yes, but we are also more familiar with the process of problem solving. We spend our entire careers analyzing problems and identifying solutions to those problems. When we encounter problems we are not familiar with, we seek counsel from more experienced individuals (whether they are a lean professional or not).

Starting again is different for every individual, team, family, or business. The coping mechanisms we develop with each trial, failure or problem we face help us see pathways to start again. You do not have to be a Leanierologist to develop the ability to start again. We all need this capability as a strength. My recommendation is to surround yourself with people who uplift you after a failure, learn from your mistakes and focus on solutions. This will encourage your own personal growth and learning. Do you agree? Are there other attributes that have helped you start again? Are there individuals in your life that emulate some of those attributes?

If you or your organization are looking to start again, Leanbrella can help! Starting with our Culture Climate (RealColors.org) first, will help your teams understand themselves and those they interact with better. We cannot lead if we do not know ourselves or our teams…Contact us today to find out more.