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The Lean Sensei
What is a lean sensei and what exactly do they do? That is the key question at the heart of this important new book sharing the secret of Lean thinking, which Dan Jones calls “the alternative business model for our age.” Jones explains that “behind all the tools for operational excellence and the different management system needed to support their use, lies a much deeper to develop the human potential of everyone to create a culture of accelerating continuous improvement to meet today’s changing circumstances. Learning is at the heart of lean.” The Lean Sensei provides both a conceptual and hands-on toolkit for developing lean leaders—and becoming one yourself. It will challenge you to reflect on how you coach; share mindful questions that improve your awareness of what to look for; and keep both you and your students focused on the signs, symptoms, and syndromes that can slow your lean success. This book, written by six lean pioneers who have experienced and followed the path of the Sensei, shares a radical vision of how to flourish with this approach. They argue that Lean is a system of gaining competitiveness by continuously developing people, and as such, sensei play a vital role in helping others deepen their thinking every day. To be effective in transforming processes and the people who operate within them, any sensei “must first learn to transform yourself,” they write. "No one can do lean for you. It is up to you. But you will also need a Sensei to help you discover new ways of seeing and acting, and to help everyone learn to adapt to a rapidly changing world. These lean pioneers discovered what Senseis really do. Learn from them before you search for your own Sensei.” - Daniel T. Jones, co-author of The Machine That Changed The World, Lean Thinking, Lean Solutions and The Lean Strategy.
172 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 3, 2023
This is an important book in my field -- it explains well the difference between a traditional consultant (I am an expert and will share my answers with you) and a lean sensei: I have enough experience to take you to the best places to observe your organization and I will teach you by example how to ask the right questions to learn what you need to know to make good decisions and build the capacity of your people and your organization. One of my mentors calls this book her calling card.
May 15, 2021
Le formidable pouvoir de l’attention. « Regarder, écouter, sentir, être présent, se concentrer, écouter ce que les gens disent, littéralement »
J’ai trouvé que ce livre est un parfait point de départ pour comprendre le lean au travers de l’explication du rôle du sensei.
Je vois l’application des principes chez Sipios mais j’ai peu de bagage théorique. Je comprends beaucoup mieux l’intention de certains principes que nous manipulons.
Il y a également une explication très claire du plan produit comme point de départ de la stratégie lean product and process development.
Je recommande !
August 27, 2019
Tablets have a nice feature that allows me to highlight sections that I want to capture and revisit. I know it’s a good book when I highlight something in every chapter; I know it’s a great book when I highlight something on every page.
The latter was the case with Lean Sensei. For the better part of 15 years, I have been on a lean journey. When I started it was all about learning the tools, then several years ago it switched to being all about leadership. Today it seems to be about a mix of the two. All along my journey I’ve heard about the need to have a sensei to guide me, but I never really understood what a sensei was.
Now, 15 years or so since I first heard about lean, I realize that I have never had “a” sensei. I’ve had training, I’ve had coaches, and I’ve had consultants, but I’ve always been told the answers or instructed how something should be accomplished. In this book, the authors do a fantastic job of describing what a lean sensei is, what their role is in the organization, how they approach their craft, and how they measure their success. They also do an excellent job of comparing a sensei to a coach, consultant, and trainer. I feel the authors have done an excellent job not “putting down” the roles of coaches, consultants, and trainers and in fact have made it quite clear that they have a role in a lean organization.
This is a fantastic short read that has inspired me to think about the roles that various “mentors” have had in my career and what I hope to achieve someday. I have added this to my annual “re-read” list so I can continue to reflect on the wisdom within its pages.
In my reflection, I have one question that I would love to get the authors’ opinions on, does a sensei have to be a person? As mentioned previously, I have had several “teachers”, but few have done more than instruct. I am not a CEO of a corporation; however, in the industry of being “THE FUTURE ME,” I am the CEO. In that respect, my only sensei has come in the last few years as my appetite to learn has driven me to become a voracious reader and audiophile. Books on leadership, culture, improvement, and psycology have driven me to question how I am doing things and given me the tools to facilitate critical thinking. I wonder if this path is an acceptable way to stimulate my critical thinking or if I must find that person who can help me become a lean sensei? I will have to continue to reflect.
The latter was the case with Lean Sensei. For the better part of 15 years, I have been on a lean journey. When I started it was all about learning the tools, then several years ago it switched to being all about leadership. Today it seems to be about a mix of the two. All along my journey I’ve heard about the need to have a sensei to guide me, but I never really understood what a sensei was.
Now, 15 years or so since I first heard about lean, I realize that I have never had “a” sensei. I’ve had training, I’ve had coaches, and I’ve had consultants, but I’ve always been told the answers or instructed how something should be accomplished. In this book, the authors do a fantastic job of describing what a lean sensei is, what their role is in the organization, how they approach their craft, and how they measure their success. They also do an excellent job of comparing a sensei to a coach, consultant, and trainer. I feel the authors have done an excellent job not “putting down” the roles of coaches, consultants, and trainers and in fact have made it quite clear that they have a role in a lean organization.
This is a fantastic short read that has inspired me to think about the roles that various “mentors” have had in my career and what I hope to achieve someday. I have added this to my annual “re-read” list so I can continue to reflect on the wisdom within its pages.
In my reflection, I have one question that I would love to get the authors’ opinions on, does a sensei have to be a person? As mentioned previously, I have had several “teachers”, but few have done more than instruct. I am not a CEO of a corporation; however, in the industry of being “THE FUTURE ME,” I am the CEO. In that respect, my only sensei has come in the last few years as my appetite to learn has driven me to become a voracious reader and audiophile. Books on leadership, culture, improvement, and psycology have driven me to question how I am doing things and given me the tools to facilitate critical thinking. I wonder if this path is an acceptable way to stimulate my critical thinking or if I must find that person who can help me become a lean sensei? I will have to continue to reflect.
March 14, 2020
Inspiring and precise
It is very inspiring to understand the mindset and techniques of the lean Sensei. But it’s also very helpful in starting one’s own journey in sensei-Ing more and controlling less. Loved it.
It is very inspiring to understand the mindset and techniques of the lean Sensei. But it’s also very helpful in starting one’s own journey in sensei-Ing more and controlling less. Loved it.
June 24, 2019
Buena definicion del Lean. Me quedo a quien va dirigido.
For our kids. Throigh their curiosity to go, see, challenge and ask why, they are our true sensei.
For our kids. Throigh their curiosity to go, see, challenge and ask why, they are our true sensei.
May 10, 2020
Goo book abut sensei performance in shoop floor
Teh book talks about what a sensei is and what he does, a few good ilustrations to use and thats it.
Teh book talks about what a sensei is and what he does, a few good ilustrations to use and thats it.
May 2, 2021
Best CI book I have read this year. Challenging, insightful, wise. Well done!
September 25, 2022
Absolutely loved it! This is a short book that qualifies to be re-read on regular basis.
June 13, 2021
Disappointing
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews