My last few posts have focused on the role of “thinking” in Lean. I’ve said that the core of it is “THINKING People.” In the Lean Business Culture, we don’t just DO the work, we are always thinking about how we can take action to IMPROVE the work.

This raises the questions, “What kind of brain do I need?
Must I be highly intelligent or well-educated?”

The good news is that everyday people (with everyday brains) can do the level of thinking needed for progress in Lean. Lean thinking is like walking or riding a bicycle–it takes some learning and practice, but nearly anyone can do it. We don’t need a special high-power mind to improve our work. A “regular” brain is all it takes for success in Lean thinking.