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Special Report: The Human Side of Lean
Making lean manufacturing a reality in the American workplace is often a grueling process, embraced by some, derided by others.
By Joe Dowd


Although experts seem to agree lean is the only way forward for American companies competing in a global economy, even Csokasy, at times, has his doubts it will work here.

"I'm still wrestling with this," he says. "I'm a believer in teams, and even more in teamwork, but our culture is about individualism. Yet I see Americans working at Toyota plants here in the United States and (lean) works for them just fine."

In the end, it may come down to old fashioned teamwork: "If you're going to go to a team concept, you have to know what you mean by that," Csokasy says. "To be a true team, there has to be interdependency...I can't do my job unless you do your job.

"Without that, it just can't work," he says.

Editor's Note: Joe Dowd is a freelance writer based in Kingston, N.Y.

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Posted by David W Evans in Phoenix, AZ
(12/02/09 - 04:46 PM)
The Human Side of Lean
Concerning the `Special Report, overall I find it Outstanding! Comment on the last paragragh: "To be a true team, there has to be interdependency...I cant do my job unless you do your job." A well worn cliche states, "There is no I in TEAM". Fact is, that without nine Is out there, a `baseball team is nonexistent. Its just nine people standing around. If `I am incapable of doing part of the job, what am `I contributing to the team effort. Most `hard core individualists are generally untrained people, who just started doing something and got by with it. And they resent trained personnel showing/training them how to do it properly. Follow simple steps to do the job correctly and provide a top quality product. Also, by following simple steps to quality work, you also find that it is a Safe way to work. Go home as healthy as when you came to work. I, have been trained. I, can do my job. I, can work in a team. I, dont mind helping others to learn. I dont suffer fools nor foolishnes.