ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors review some of the key roles and responsibilities which are critical to developing and sustaining a Lean culture. They show how Lean affects the roles of leaders along with team members on the front line. The authors address the Lean responsibilities of two critical teams, the Lean steering committee and the Lean support team, e.g., the Lean Department. Lean mechanisms such as idea systems, gemba walks, or huddles can surface these broader issues, but the cross-functional opportunities disappear unless there is a method to evaluate and commit resources if appropriate. It is a responsibility of the Lean steering committee to make sure this happens. These are a few key responsibilities of Lean leaders required due to the teamwork principle of Lean. The Lean leader roles and responsibilities are applicable across all leader levels, from front-line leader to CEO, in spite of the authority and accountability differences among leader ranks.
