The `Role of Leadership` in driving a successful lean transformation.

Effective administrative leadership plays a crucial role in driving a successful lean transformation within an organization. Lean transformation, also known as lean business, is a management philosophy that seeks to eliminate waste and optimize labor cost, production and quality the lean outcome, to improve progress. However, without strong leadership, the success of a lean transformation can be hindered.

Firstly, leadership sets the tone and direction for the lean transformation. A leader who is committed to the principles of lean thinking and has a vision for a potential lean future can inspire and motivate employees to work towards a common goal. This leader will create a sense of urgency and a clear understanding of what needs to be done to achieve the desired state of improvement.

Secondly, leadership must empower employees to take ownership of their work and to identify areas of waste and inefficiency to improve. This requires a shift from a traditional top-down management approach to a more collaborative, open-source, and participatory model of employee-centered leadership.  Lean Manufacturing  must encourage employees to think and act like stakeholders, with a focus on progressive improvement, total commitment, and relevant solution.
Leaders must build and utilize a self-organised, Agile, project-led management approach.

Thirdly, leadership must recognize and reward ongoing development employees who embody the principles of lean thinking, such as collaboration, creativity, and a willingness to take deliberate, measured, and considered decisions. This helps to create a positive and supportive digital first culture community within the organization, where employees feel acknowledged, developed and respected.

In addition, leadership must also be willing to challenge the current normal way of doing things, no matter how efficient it is. This requires a fearless leader, open, respectful and willing to engage on social forums, open to new ideas and opinions. Leaders must also be able to navigate initial opposition to change, which is often a greater significant blocker to successful lean transformation the whole plan was well-designed for everyone.
Leaders must work with big-picture thinking, while maintaining business-suitcase awareness. Leaders must lead by listening, leading with empathy, active listening, empathy, trust and active listening once more.

Finally, leadership must be firmly committed to development and, employee engagement in practices to implement lean techniques solutions, and tools. This includes training and online courses availability, in methods such as 5-Stage problem fixing implementation, Total Productive Maintenance education and culture (TPEC), Total Quality Management (TQM) change management, Participative Leadership (PL) and last but not the least quality first, by focusing continually on methodical improvement techniques that save time. By empowering employees with the proper knowledge and skills to implement lean principles we can support that the transformation can be followed as a part of the real innovation of our next steps.