Leader Standard Work
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Leader standard work is a defined routine of activities that ensures leaders regularly perform essential management tasks like gemba walks and coaching.
Definition
Leader standard work is a documented, structured routine of essential leadership activities performed at regular intervals. Just as operator standard work ensures consistent process execution, leader standard work ensures consistent management practice. Typical elements include daily gemba walks, team huddles, coaching sessions, metric reviews, and improvement tracking. Without standard work, leadership time gets consumed by urgent demands, crowding out important activities like coaching and improvement.
Examples
A production manager's standard work included: 6:00 AM shift start meeting (15 min), 7:00 AM gemba walk through all areas (45 min), 10:00 AM improvement board review (30 min), 2:00 PM coaching session with one supervisor (30 min). Non-negotiable calendar blocks protected these activities.
Key Points
- Documented routine of essential leadership activities
- Includes gemba time, coaching, team meetings, improvement review
- Calendar blocks protect time from competing demands
- Visible standard work enables accountability and continuous improvement
Common Misconceptions
Leader standard work is too rigid. Standard work is a baseline, not a straitjacket. Leaders respond to urgent needs, but standard work ensures important activities happen despite urgency. Without it, the urgent always crowds out the important.
Leaders should be flexible and responsive. Effective leaders are both responsive AND disciplined. Standard work for essential activities (gemba, coaching) creates the capability to respond well. Constant fire-fighting without standard work burns out leaders and teams.