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Lesser Gods

But no less meaningful on our lean journey

Bruce Hamilton
Tue, 07/15/2014 - 10:09
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I learned recently of the passing earlier this year of a person I worked with 20 years ago at my last job in manufacturing. Manny S. was a “lesser god,” a term which is meant neither to canonize nor demean him. He wasn’t perfect—not by a long shot—but, boy, could he get things done!

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If you asked him to help with a task it would be done before you finished the sentence. While others moved with exasperating deliberation to solve problems, Manny needed only seconds to take action. I wrote a post in 2011 that illustrates his exemplification of the adage “fix problems instantly.” I’ve heard and repeated this adage many times, but Manny lived it. From him I learned the effect of following the adage. But for this short tribute, the lean world would never know who he was. He wasn’t an engineer or a manager or a black belt, and didn’t have a great deal of formal education. He never wrote a book or a white paper, never gave a speech, and never posted a blog. But he taught me something.

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Comments

Submitted by Davis Balestracci on Fri, 07/18/2014 - 12:04

Well said!

As always, Bruce, refreshingly practical and realistic insights. I SO agree about how ubiquitous (and meaningless) the terms "guru" and "sensai" have become. As you point out, it's obvious who the real ones are -- and their humility would make them resist being labeled as such.

I encountered a "Manny" in my life -- the finest human being I have ever met and his actions and gentle coaching taught me PLENTY. When I consult, I resist any such labels. I tell the client, "I'm the statistician, I know nothing. You're the [say] healthcare workers, you know too much. That makes us a good team. What I hope to accomplish by this seminar is how to make us better colleagues."

Didn't realize you were in Boston. I'm "up the road" 100 miles in Portland, Maine.

I always enjoy your columns.

Kind regards, Davis Balestracci

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