Reflection, or hansei in Japanese, is a critical part of lean. Without purposeful reflection it is difficult to improve our value streams, processes, or ourselves. Socrates’ oft-referenced, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” rings true within lean. But may I be so bold to add a twist?

The examined lean life without an objective standard as a reference ain’t lean. Why would I say such a thing? Let’s borrow a few concepts from moral theology. (I know, I know, but please bear with me.)

Without objective standards we risk “lean relativism,” under which there are no actions or behaviors that are lean or not lean. Essentially, it’s a view that lean principles depend on the individuals and groups that hold them.

Say what?

A lot of folks can convince themselves that things are more than OK, even if they’re not. Nothing to see here; everything’s lean. Keep on moving. No change required. That’s a recipe for disaster. There are three schools of thought under the relativist moral methodology. They can apply to lean relativism.

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