As you may know I have begun learning with Ritsuo Shingo. Yes it is the son of the renowned Shigeo Shingo!
The theme of our first session was “Gembaism”. But there was so much more learning and wisdom than just Going to the Gemba.
“Use your brain not your money”
Shingo San told about how his father always would point to his head “you should always use your head not your money”. With that he wanted to say that before investing in expensive new equipment etc. you should look at what you have already and see how far it can bring you, hence using your head and your imagination.
“Dissatisfaction is the driver for progress”
He told about how his father used to say that being dissatisfied is what promotes improvement and progress. Never settle for the Status Quo alway be dissatisfied and look for a better way.
Show your back
In Japan the concept of showing your back is very well known. It does not mean that you should turn your back on someone but that people watch your back and see what you are doing. In the western world that would be the same as a Role Model. Shingo San told the story about how he watched his fathers back and saw him always working whether at home, at the airport, travelling - always. And Shingo San has done the same. Always putting in the work!
All negotiations start with a No
Even though you get a big “No” it is not the end. It is the beginning! The beginning of a negotiation. So when Shingo San got a No when he suggested something be it in Japan, US, UK and China he never saw it as a No but the beginning of the negotiation.
Always Go to the Gemba
Shingo San told about how he always wanted to remove the principle of “Go See” promoting the idea of “Go and Observe”. Not just See like in a Gemba Tour. No you need to closely observe when you go to the Gemba. Shingo San himself always stay for at least half an hour to closely observe a process. Sometimes even asking for a chair so that he could sit and observe.
You might think that he only does this in his consultancy work. But No! He did this when he was a Manager and President as well. He would go to the Gemba, closely observe and when he found something that was not ok he would pull down the Plant Manager to the shop floor and asking him what he would do about it!
And that is just a part of the wisdom and experiences that Shingo San shared with me. I am looking so much forward to the next session.
I will be back with more learnings and wisdom from Shingo San over the coming months.
