Lead With Respect

The "respect" part of Lean has always been difficult to understand. Exactly that's what's in this novel. Toyota's approach consists of two main parts:

1. continuous improvement
2. respect for people

The respect part has always been difficult to understand. Exactly that is illustrated in this novel by Michael Ballé and his father Freddy. As in their other books, you are drawn into the story as if you are experiencing the learning process yourself. In this book, the CEO of a software company learns the meaning of respect from a representative of one of its most important customers. This customer has adopted respect as a corporate culture. Although the software company does a bad job, this customer gives the CEO the opportunity to turn things around ... if she is willing to learn. She does this with some restraint, and we sympathize with her struggles as to how to lead with respect. While reading, we are trained in a lively and entertaining way. Suddenly 'leadership' is no longer just a slogan, but comes to life because the authors are able to translate the concept of 'respect' into concrete behaviour.

Leadership is a popular topic. Social media such as Twitter and LinkedIn contain a lot of one-liners about and comments on leadership, sometimes it seems as if everyone has his or her own theory about it. The authors do not add another theory to the literature. Instead, they make it clear what leadership in a Lean organisation looks like in reality and in practice.

For an even better understanding and to challenge yourself, we recommend the Gold Mine Trilogy Study Guide.

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