With GBMP’s 18th Annual Northeast Lean Conference on the horizon, I’m reflecting on our theme, “Amplifying Lean – The Collaboration Effect.” The term ‘collaboration’ typically connotes an organized attempt by unrelated, even competitive, parties to work together on a common problem; for example, the NUMMI collaboration between GM and Toyota or the international space station. In a sense, these types of organized collaboration are analogs to Kaizen events and significant organizational breakthrough improvement.
Being a longtime proponent of ‘everybody everyday’ type Kaizen, however, I think the greater amplification to our continuous improvement efforts lies in our ability to work together in the moment to solve many small problems. But, just as intermittent stoppages on a machine may be hidden from consideration, so too these on-the-fly opportunities for collaboration may pass without notice. An example from my own career as a manufacturing manager sticks with me as I consider the importance of everyday collaboration:
Walking through my factory one morning, I overheard a heated discussion between John M. a product designer and Ann C. a team lead from our subassembly department. Both individuals had deep experience in their respective areas – perhaps 25 years each. John was waving an assembly drawing for a particular part as they argued, and Ann was holding the component parts and an assembly fixture. All the elements of production were present: man, method, material and machine (4M’s). What was missing was collaboration.
“If you’d just follow the assembly drawing, there’d be no problem,” John argued.
“What?”, Ann shot back. “Do you think I’m stupid? Why would I call you out here if that were true?”
This was the general tenor of the discussion, each party defensively talking AT the other. Specialization, necessary as it is, often creates invisible boundaries we commonly refer to as silos. When any party ventures beyond those boundaries, it’s viewed as an invasion of turf. As the argument continued, the resolve of each party only increased.
I inserted myself into the discussion. “Why don’t we observe the assembly process and drawing together? I’d like get a better perspective on the problem.” John and Ann reluctantly agreed. What seemed to me like an obvious opportunity to understand was, for each of them, possible exposure that one of them would be wrong and lose face. Philosopher James P. Carse refers to this interaction as a ‘finite game.’ Somebody wins and somebody loses. I recall saying something trite like, “Aren’t we on the same team here?” Truth be told, we weren’t. At least, however, we were all in the same space observing the 4M’s together.
Ultimately, John and Ann began to attack the problem rather than each other and, in fact, pulled a parts buyer and a tool maker into the investigation. Working together they uncovered a series of contributing factors involving each of the 4M’s. No single perspective would have been nearly as effective. The errant assembly problem was solved. But more importantly, collaborative relationships were created. James P. Carse would call that an infinite game; everyone wins.
O.L.D.
PS This year’s Northeast Lean Conference will examine collaboration from every angle. Top-down, bottom-up, horizontal, networked, virtual, intercompany, governmental and societal. The “Collaboration Effect” touches every system and every interpersonal relationship. I hope you can join us on September 28-29 (face-to-face or live-streamed) as we explore better ways to work together. It’s just six weeks away – sign up today!
Pingback: Robot Day | Old Lean Dude
This post was a good read. This situations goes to show how collaboration created more continuous improvement or Kaizen. These collaborative activities are crucial for processes to continue to run properly as well as building relationships circling innovation. How would you go about implementing collaborative activities like this if you had not ran into the issue? Is there a way for employees to work together in order to find issues within the 4M? I enjoy collaboration with others when completing activities because I benefit from another perspectives being introduced to me. Collaboration is definitely something I value, especially within the classes I have taken.
Hi Bruce, this was a very interesting read as we see many times in the work industry individuals fail to put their ego aside and work with others to create a solution to the problem. Your instance in the factory is a prime example of that as two veteran employees both believe they are right. Collaboration is an essential tool to reach the top of an industry. We see many high-end companies collaborate like Red Bull and GoPro to promote their products in different atmospheres. These two companies working together unlocked markets that they would have not achieved single-handedly.
Hi Bruce, I think this article is extremely interesting and exemplifies the importance of collaboration as well as an open mind in order to reach the top of industries. In your factory example we see two veterans employees failing to put their ego aside and work together to find a solution. I have personally seen this many times in a variety of industries from sports to businesses. For example my former boss at a Supply Chain industry refused to listen to colleagues that suggested an update information system that ended up saving the company millions of dollars later on when it was implemented. This article also expresses the importance of collaboration. We see this first hand with GoPro and Redbull as both work together to expose each other to markets they would not reach without the help of each other.
Hi Bruce, I think this article is fascinating and exemplifies the importance of collaboration and an open mind to reach the top of industries. In your factory example, we see two veteran employees failing to put their egos aside and working together to find a solution. I have seen this many times in various industries, from sports to businesses. For example, my former boss in the Supply Chain industry refused to listen to colleagues that suggested an updated information system that ended up saving the company millions of dollars later on when it was implemented. This article also expresses the importance of collaboration. We see this first hand with GoPro and Redbull as both work together to expose each other to markets they would not reach without the help of each other.
Hi Bruce, I think this article is fascinating and exemplifies the importance of collaboration and an open mind to reach the top of industries. In your factory example, we see two veteran employees failing to put their egos aside and working together to find a solution. I have seen this many times in various industries, from sports to businesses. For example, my former boss in the Supply Chain industry refused to listen to colleagues that suggested an updated information system that ended up saving the company millions of dollars later on when it was implemented. How can companies get veteran employees to engage with new ideas that they are uncomfortable with? This article also expresses the importance of collaboration. We see this first hand with GoPro and Redbull as both work together to expose each other to markets they would not reach without the help of each other.
It was such a great experience reading this post. To me this makes complete sense that collaboration drives the success of a company directly. Personally, I see a ton of benefits when working with other people because it is always important to go about a process with all different angles and opinions. If I were to ask one thing it would be what advice would you give to someone working on a team? Overall, we can definitely see if a lacks communication this will cause a multitude of issues for the future so this should be at the utmost importance for companies.
Awesome story. Personally speaking I’ve seen types of arguments before where people are so specialized in a given area, they block themselves from getting outside prospective and admitting guilt. I think the team mentality plays a huge part in successful companies and is why many people that come out of the armed forces do so well in business; they know how to work in a team. What are ways do you think companies can change their training and doctrine to encourage the team mentality and have their more specialized employees look at the bigger picture?
Thanks for sharing this experience, it gives a lot of perspective to how we can enhance work life and communication. Being able to collaborate with others is a skill we all need to have; without this we would not be able to share ideas and opinions. When working in teams that don’t see eye to eye, what activities do you think can relieve tension and get to the bottom of the problem?
Great post! I agree that when people are talking AT each other and not TO each other, it causes miscommunication. I enjoyed the story of John and Ann and how they were able to start attacking the problem instead of each other. I also agree that no single perspective would have been as efficient as them working together. When it comes to teams that are struggling to communicate, what would be a good exercise for them to practice so they could reach a common goal?
I really enjoyed this take on collaboration! One of my core supply chain classes is centered around negotiation tactics, and how to facilitate positive results in these environments. Conflict can arise quickly when others are focused on their response, rather than what they are listening to.