A preview of our new line of training videos, QuickLean: .

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http://www.360performancecircle.com/product/category/288/290/289/quicklean/quick-lessons-lean/get-your-gemba

Episode 01: Get Your Gemba On
Watch how good gemba walking benefits employees and their bosses
Video Length: 8 min

“ I hate gemba walking ”

An employee in a local government agency's office told us, "My managers became very excited about something called 'gemba walking' and now they keep coming around to my desk and telling me that they 'just want to watch me work.' Great. I HATE it! I get flop sweat. I'm not an organized person and I just want to throw up when they start telling me how to 5S my work area!"

There are two problems our friend is experiencing: First, and most importantly, his managers don't know how to gemba walk in a way that creates trust and collaboration. They must first learn how to explain what gemba walking is, why they're doing it, what they want to do during the gemba walk, and how it will help drive improvements. Most important, they need to assure the employee that they are there to focus on the process, not the person; to help, not to criticize. Secondly, this employee has no understanding of what is expected of him. All he knows is this makes him terribly uncomfortable. If he did understand, he wouldn't be trying to hide, rather, he would embrace the experience, even invite it!

The solution

What an organization needs to do is so simple: Just explain what gemba walking is, without all the fancy platitudes, corporate-speak, or disguised descriptions. Show them what it will look like. It should be explained to employees throughout the workplace, and it should provide a basis for what they expect their managers will do during their gemba walks.

Build confidence

Give your employees the knowledge and confidence to understand what gemba walking is, what it is not, and what they can expect. This video presents exactly this: It shows examples of the wrong way first, then the right way. In eight minutes it will educate, create enthusiasm, and dispel false rumors.

Key points

What gemba walking is
Why gemba walking is misunderstood
It's about the process, not the person
Watch and see the process with your own eyes
The right and wrong ways to show respect
See the waste and make sure others see it too
Ask, don’t tell
Go to the gemba as a learner, not a knower
Go to the gemba on a set schedule

Target audience

Front line employees
Managers who will be gemba walking—see our more in-depth videos for management staff on the subject of gemba walking and how to do it right. (http://www.360performancecircle.com/product/category/13/52/lean/leadership-through-gemba-walki)

What is “QuickLean?”

QuickLean is a new series of short five to ten minute video episodes on key lean topics. They are meant to give the most information in the shortest possible time in an engaging and entertaining way. This video is the first of the new series. These episodes are designed for front line employees, but of course managers can benefit from them too.

Our full 30-episode series, "Creating and Sustaining Lean Improvements," (http://www.360performancecircle.com/products/category/lean) is designed for managers, lean leaders and facilitators, and anyone wanting a more in-depth understanding of lean principles.