Let’s start this review with by quoting the sub-title of the work:
“Self-reliance and the human side of lean; a step-by-step guide to setting and achieving personal and corporate goals.”
And this is precisely what Norman Bodek does, both by delivering his own material and interludes by the designer of the method, Takashi Harada.
But this book is also about so much more than that.
If I had to sum the Harada Method up with one word, even though the chances of that are improbable, that word would be authenticity.
Because, for me, authenticity is exactly what this book is about. Let me explain further. In the preparation part of the Harada method, the reader will find themselves directed to a set of forms. The job of these forms is not mere idle paperwork but to steer the student into taking a deep personal inventory. What really matters to you? What are your values? What makes you tick?
The stunningly simple truth is that those people who abundantly succeed do so because their goals are wholly aligned to their value system. In this sense, work ceases to be a chore – it becomes another aspect of life that is joyfully integrated. This concept seems to have been woven into Japanese culture for some time – check out an earlier article on Ikigai. But, increasingly, this mindset is a global one. People now seek work and hobbies that enhance life rather than work that merely funds it.
This outlook, that of creating meaningful, value-aligned work is, by my reckoning, what Bodek termed the human side of lean. In the subtitle, Bodek refers to using the Harada method to achieve personal and corporate goals. The job of the lean learning organisation, operating from the point of respect for people, is to remove the distinction. In the workplace where we are truly in harmony and operating in a state of ikigai, we only recognise shared goals. Our company supports us in all of the goals that are aligned with our values. Furthermore, because our values align with those of our employer, we no longer see the difference. We a so much freer to pursue the goals that our company suggests.
In her book “Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn,” Katie Anderson tells the story of when Toyota executive, Isao Yoshino, helped a shy employee travel abroad for the first time. This was not on a business trip but a personal journey, where immense growth was possible. The benefits that Mr Yoshino and his employee gained were far in excess of the tangible cost of the air ticket. I like to recall this story when I think of the Harada method in practice.
The inference is clear. Goals that are not authentic will not be chased with the same zeal as goals that are. Those deeply held target conditions that we all have can fall by the wayside eventually. Even Olympians occasionally eat junk food.
This is where Mr Bodek introduces the idea of a coach or mentor. The role of the coach is not to punish and shout, but to steer and question. Somebody holding up a mirror every so often can be very helpful.
In this case, the coach will steer you back to the Harada method. In common with other coaching models, such as Kata and GROW, the path to progress is by completing small, daily goals while continually asking what has been learned and how this learning can be integrated into future actions. The Harada method gives you a technique to draw together up to sixty-four such activities. As we have seen, these actions will be aligned to your values, so may not even feel like work.
In such a way, you will uncover a pathway to your dreams and goals.
I would recommend reading “The Essential Harada Method Guide” whether you are a leader or a student. Everybody can learn and take away something essential. But, to get the true, desired impact, I would suggest that you follow the steps detailed, without deviation. This will definitely be something that I will try.
In closing, I would like this article to be my own small tribute to Norman Bodek. Mr Bodek was a giant of lean, having translated and published volumes of classic Japanese literature on the topic. This body of work included books by both Mr Ohno and Dr Shingo. Mr Bodek was the teacher of many.
He passed away in December 2020.