Via Mark Graban at Lean Blog, here’s an interesting video introducing Steven Covey as a keynote speaker at this year’s Shingo Prize conference.
Like Mark, I see connections between Lean and some of Covey’s principles (e.g. Be Proactive, Sharpen the Saw). My major criticism of Covey has been insufficient attention to good processes. Principles aren’t enough; the skeleton needs muscle to move. But I confess to having read only the The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and not some of his later books.
And regardless, I’m glad to see these two worlds overlapping.
Thanks for the link and the mention.
I agree with you that processes are needed. The Lean Enterprise Institute and Jim Womack always talk about 3 things:
Purpose, Process, and People
You need to focus on all three. Without Purpose, you probably have nothing, so I think Covey’s focus there will help if we maintain the traditional Lean focus on Process and People.
Toyota says that Process and People are equally important, basically. But many Lean approaches (engineering-driven) focus way more on Process than People.
Again, we need all three.
Mark
Mark – Thank you so much for visiting and commenting. It’s an honor to have you here.
And yes, I think Purpose, Process, and People makes a good mantra for success. It’s so easy to become fixated on one at the expense of the others.
I would add, having read most of Stephen Covey’s books and even a brief stint working for the company, that the value of Principles is that they stand the test of time. As technology, processes and people change we need an anchor upon which to determine our direction and
how we make our choices. This was always Covey’s forte and specialty and still something sorely lacking in most of business.
I was able to meet Dr. Covey tonight at the Shingo Prize conference. I’m hoping to be able to do a short interview with him tomorrow. I’m curious to hear his thoughts on kindness and respect in a workplace, parallels to the Toyota “respect for people” principle.
That’s fantastic. I look forward to your further reports. Wish I were there.