Leadership is the cornerstone of Lean Culture. As David Mann explains in Creating a Lean Culture, leaders must practice standard work, conduct regular Gemba walks, and use visual management to stay connected to the front lines. Effective Lean leaders don’t just delegate improvement work—they actively participate, coach, and remove obstacles for their teams. By modelling Lean behaviours and fostering a culture of accountability, leaders create an environment where continuous improvement thrives.

 This involves amongst others:

• Practicing Standard Work: Leaders should have standardized routines, such as regular Gemba walks and coaching sessions.
• Using Visual Management: Tools like dashboards and Andon systems help leaders stay informed and address issues quickly.
• Empowering Employees: Leaders must encourage teams to take ownership of their processes and contribute ideas.

Effective Lean leaders don’t just delegate improvement work—they actively participate and remove obstacles for their teams. By fostering accountability and transparency, leaders set the tone for a culture of excellence.