![Lean Briefs Logo](images/logos/briefs1.gif) The
Newsletter of Lean Manufacturing & Factory Science
July
28,
2003
www.strategosinc.com
Mistakes
by
Norman Bodek
Watch
a baby when she/he first learns to stand. The idea comes, the
baby struggles, reaches, holds on, and miraculously stands - then crashes
down. The process is repeated over and over again. Eventually, the brain
learns the perfect way to stand, remembers it, implants it. Then, standing
is done without thought, or struggle.
Almost
all learning comes from making mistakes.
When
young I had a difficult time at school. Every time I made a mistake I was
penalized. Instead of being critical the teacher should have said,
"Wonderful Norman, you made a mistake, do it again for you will learn
from mistakes" - we all do, some quickly, some slowly.
At
work, employees learn and get stronger when they
make small mistakes without criticism and then find ways to
prevent those errors from happening again. This is why I like the (Quick
& Easy) Kaizen process. The focus is on small
improvements, allowing people to make small mistakes until they learn
properly.
Treat
all mistakes as "jewels," opportunities to learn and
grow. Examine and study them from different perspectives. Free employees
from the fear of making mistakes. Criticism just
inhibits learning, closes people and
stifles creativity.
Norman
Bodek
nbodek@hotmail.com
www.pcspress.com
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