“The next value is the development of a Kaizen Mind — you think naturally in terms of improvement. You reveal openly any imperfections — any waste, anything that does not fit the ideal. A related belief within Toyota is that continuous improvement depends on managers Going and Seeing first-hand. You need to go to the Gemba to get the facts. That is where the work is being done, where customers are using their product, and where your suppliers are making your product. You need to build a clear picture of the current situation through systematic observation.” 

Developing Lean Leaders at all Levels by Jeffrey K. Liker with George Trachilis (Lean Leadership Institute, 2014) p. 4.

Note from Ray: “Kaizen” is the Japanese word for “improvement.”