Lean Quote: Lean Manufacturing Provides Employees Freedom and Independence

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom." — Albert Einstein

Lean manufacturing provides your workforce the freedom that they need to own and maximize their productivity. In a Lean production plant, the "freedom to control one's work" replaces the "mind numbing stress" of mass production. Armed with the skills they need to control their environment workers have the opportunity to think actively even proactively to solve workplace problems.

Lean is more than the traditional metrics of improved efficiency, reduced costs and increased throughput. The people-centric approach to the application of Lean creates a better future, driven by empowered individuals working in teams, committed to continuous improvement. It is this culture of responsible freedom and trust that allows employees and their organization to realize the positive benefits of Lean and achieve a successful outcome.

The real power of Lean manufacturing is to fully engage our heads and hearts to create habits that result in achievement and fulfillment. This is accomplished by creating an inspirational environment in which people are encouraged to embrace, implement, and live Lean concepts. Lasting results are driven by the spirit of honesty, integrity, responsiveness, freedom, and creativity, built on a platform of committed relationships.

Lean Manufacturing is a business method that extends employees independence. It provides more employees with the tools, methods and authority to make decisions. It creates teams to measure progress and devise new techniques. This leads to higher employee motivation and productivity as workers are asked to come up with solutions to problems as opposed to having to work with flawed procedures. There is much to be said for greater worker independence in the execution of a Lean philosophy. We may not have a day to celebrate independence like the US but the message is no less important.