Standards should not be forced down from above but rather set by the production workers themselves.
Taiichi OhnoRead
The key to the Toyota Way and what makes Toyota stand out is not any of the individual elements…But what is important is having all the elements together as a system. It must be practiced every day in a very consistent manner, not in spurts.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The essence of the Toyota Way lies in the integration of its components as a cohesive system rather than isolated practices.
In this quote, Taiichi Ohno emphasizes that the strength and uniqueness of the Toyota Way stem from the harmonious combination of its various elements. He suggests that successful implementation requires a commitment to consistent daily practice rather than intermittent efforts. This approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence, highlighting the importance of systemic thinking in effective leadership.
Themes
ToyotaLeadershipSystemConsistencyImprovement
In practice
Example use cases
In a business seminar discussing effective management strategies.
More from Taiichi Ohno
All quotes →The slower but consistent tortoise causes less waste and is more desirable than the speedy hare that races ahead and then stops occasionally to doze. The Toyota Production System can be realized only when all the workers become tortoises.
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Where there is no Standard there can be no Kaizen
Taiichi OhnoRead
I’m proud to be Japanese and I wanted my country to succeed. I believed my system was a way that could help us become a modern industrial nation. That is why I had no problem with sharing it with other Japanese companies, even my biggest competitors.
Taiichi OhnoRead
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