Lean Tools, Training, and Systems

Management Philosophies

Different philosophies for lean training and lean management
to get team members to do what you want

The Cat Training school of thought

Underlying philosophy

You can't train cats.

Fundamental teachings

Just let them do what they want.
Maybe entice them every now & again with rich bowls of cream or fragrant tuna.
Just love them and don't expect much from them, and sometimes they might reward you by climbing into your lap to be petted — when they feel like it.

The Dog Training school of thought

Underlying philosophy

Deep down, this person wants to do the right things.

Fundamental teachings

Catch people doing something right.
Reward and praise as often and as sincerely as possible.
Adjust your leadership style to meet the needs of the individual:

	Low competence	High competence
Low motivation	Support them	Motivate them
High motivation	Train them	Give freedom

Low competence

High competence

Low motivation

Support them

Motivate them

High motivation

Train them

Give freedom

The Horse Training school of thought

Underlying philosophy

This person:

Might be bigger than I am
Might not want to do what I'm asking
Might not pay any attention to me
unless I find a way to "get some leverage"

Fundamental teachings

Allow the horse to make mistakes
The reward for "doing it right"; is release
from something that makes them uncomfortable
Always use 4 phases:
1. Very subtle request (like a fly touching hair)
2. Slightly stronger request
  (4 ounces of pressure on the skin)
3. Stronger request (press the muscle)
4. Whatever it takes (dig into the bone)

Common mistakes horse trainers make

They don't allow the horse to make mistakes.
1. They try to"do it for them"; or constantly correct them when you they're about to make a mistake
2. They don't realize that the only opportunity to train a horse is when it makes a mistake. If it's doing everything perfect, then that is a testament to someone's prior training, but the only chance you have to teach your horse something new is when it makes a mistake
They don't release the instant that a horse does anything close to what was asked
1. When a horse is learning something new — it will NEVER do it perfectly the first time. A good horse trainer learns to reward the tiniest step in the right direction by instantly taking the pressure off. And then asking for the same thing again, and instantly releasing as soon as the horse begins to do the right thing.
2. The only way that a horse learns what you want is by noticing when the pressure is released. If you expect perfection too soon, the horse will get confused and resentful, and won't learn anything.
They don't ALWAYS start with a gentle phase one.
1. They might hold over a grudge from the last time the horse did it wrong
2. Having an extremely subtle phase 1 is the whole key to having a very responsive horse. If you never give the horse a chance before jabbing it with a phase 2 or 3 request — your horse is guaranteed to become dull and non-responsive.
3. Consistently using a light Phase 1 allows the horse to learn and respond to the extremely subtle cues of "what happens before what happens happens"
They don't ever reach phase 4.
1. The horse needs to understand that you will continue to make things progressively uncomfortable until you get the response you're looking for.
2. Phase 4 is"whatever it takes"; — which can be quite painful
3. If your horse doesn't believe you have a convincing Phase 4, it will rarely respond to Phase 1