Patrick Adams is an internationally recognised leadership coach, consultant and professional speaker. To this impressive resume, Adams can now add best-selling author.
It is straightforward to write a dry textbook about approaches to Continuous Improvement, but what struck me first about this book is how much of the author is invested in it.
From his early life in the US Marine Corps to his successful coaching practice, Adams is not afraid to share himself, which makes the book very engaging.
This transparency is also the trigger for most of the successful structure of the book. Adams poses twelve questions, which you could imagine being part of one of his coaching discussions. However, the information gleaned is not for the author but the reader.
The book challenges each of us, as lean leaders and change agents, to take a fearless inventory of the environment in which we are operating and to go away and reflect.
In this sense, Patrick does not offer a roadmap to lean success, saying, “there you go, follow that.” As he explains, that would not work. What the book does do, and with great success, is steer us, via our own reflection, to create our own bespoke pathway to lean success. Generic models work, but fitted models excel.
Following a generic plan will inevitably lead to what Patrick Adams calls “fake lean” – or lean for show. Cleverly, Adams highlights the gulf between fake and authentic lean through entertaining discussions around two real companies. The author calls these diametrically opposite businesses Company Continuous Improvement and Company Continuous Appearance – the trap that the title extols us to avoid.
These were the sections of the book that I enjoyed most, as they were charming and humorous. I winced at points where I recognised elements of companies that I have been exposed to in the past. But, and I think it is the following that sets this book apart from many; I emerged with tangible, actionable improvement topics that I can take forward into my continuous improvement work.
These actionable outcomes make this book worth many times its cover price. For this reason, I would urge you to add this book to your lean library. If you can, get the paperback, then carry it with you and scribble notes inside it – because isn’t that what lean books are for?
A five-star read, for sure.
Order your copy of “Avoiding the Continuous Appearance Trap” by following this link.
Patrick Adams also runs a charity to support at-risk youngsters. You can find out more about that at www.remembranceranch.org
Patrick’s business site can be found at www.findleansolutions.com. There are some great resources available.
Simon D. Gary is the author of the breakthrough book “Super Lean: Unlock Your Company’s Million-Dollar Edge. Further details are available here.
Yes, a great book. Every manager should read this book before becoming a manager.
Wisdom to carryover while walking on your shop floor.