Hal Macomber > Quotes

“Look for the above moods as you practice your katas . Once you notice your mood, you’re on your way to making it work for you. Supportive moods wonder perplexity serenity/acceptance patience ambition resolution confidence trust Unsupportive moods confusion resignation frustration arrogance impatience boredom fear/anxiety overwhelm lack of confidence
distrust This list of moods comes from Gloria Flores’ book, pages 20 and 25, respectively.”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“The Lean Kanban community has a focusing expression: Stop starting, start finishing.”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“We must dig up the real cause by asking
why, why, why, why, why. Taiichi Ohno”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“We will not be able to blaze new trails unless
we boldly turn our thinking processes upside down,
and unless everyone participates in that revolution. Taiichi Ohno”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“Going to gemba to grasp the real facts is one of the most respectful actions leaders and managers can take. When we learn directly from the problems people encounter, we not only learn quicker, but it indicates the seriousness one has for supporting people doing the real work. Genchi genbutsu is not just the practice when something has gone wrong — no, “Go and see for yourself ” is the way to grasp how different the situation is from the ideal.”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“The essence of Lean is learning — learning that is tightly coupled with action. The best way we know to do that is by putting the scientific method to use through PDSA.”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“Distinguish between movement and work
to cultivate the ability to find waste. Taiichi Ohno”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“We can see and feel the waste of material things. Awkward, inefficient, or ill directed movements of workers leaves nothing visible or tangible behind. Their appreciation calls for an act of memory, an effort of the imagination.” ‡ Hold that thought.”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“All our knowledge and understanding won’t get us anywhere unless we are able to act on it. Shigeo Shingo”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“The first Lean Thinking principle is to establish what is of value to the customer from the customer's perspective and in the customer's language. [16]  When you keep that value in mind, you will avoid the confusion.”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“What is the opposite of FUD? Bravery, wonder and confidence. Let’s explore how to break the FUD habit. Let’s create a new relationship with our new ideas and the new ideas of others.”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“It is with self-assessment and mindfulness that we intentionally develop new behaviors”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“Find problems where you think none exist. Shigeo Shingo”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“Small minds want more space. Shigeo Shingo”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“Know-how” alone isn’t enough! You need to “know-why!” Shigeo Shingo”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“Our invariable response to,
“It can’t be done” is, “Do it!” Henry Ford”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“He discovered that their task wasn’t to eliminate waste at all — it was to find the waste and learn about its various causes. Once they learned about the sources of variation and waste, the actions would be obvious.”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“We use checklists so not to forget that we have forgotten. Shigeo Shingo”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“Dissatisfaction is the ‘mother’
of improvement. Shigeo Shingo”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“Possible” is the declaration for each of us to make in the face of something worthwhile. It is the only stance that will bring it to fruition.”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“When a new idea comes up — good, bad, or indifferent — simply write it down. For any new idea, catch yourself when you worry about imagined negative consequences. Catch yourself when you don’t see how anything could work. Catch yourself in your doubting moments. Make a note of each hesitation or question.”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“If we don’t understand what it is that we don’t understand, we have no idea what to do about it. Shigeo Shingo”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“The authors of This Is Lean [14]  put it this way: The continuously flow-improving organization will always be developing new knowledge, new understanding, new experiences, and learning new things about its customers’ needs and how to meet those needs as efficiently as possible.”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“Never accept the status quo. Shigeo Shingo”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“Usually mass production raises costs. Taiichi Ohno”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“The source of information is always the customer. Taiichi Ohno”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“Mind-field Kata Read mathematics. Read philosophy. Read The Economist. Read Cosmopolitan . Read about projects. Read about Korean entrepreneurs. Subscribe to Harvard Business Review and to Fast Company . Subscribe to Engineering News Record and to Wired . Watch a TED video once a week for nine months. Talk to people about what you are reading and watching. Visit other businesses. Create a mind-field.”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“Illusions can easily turn into conventional wisdom. Taiichi Ohno”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“If you don’t know why defects are occurring,
make some defects. Shigeo Shingo”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas

“We must exhaustively pursue our true objectives —
the abstract objects lying beyond what is visible. Shigeo Shingo”
― Hal Macomber, Mastering Lean Leadership with 40 Katas