Leader Standard Work (LSW) is a framework that defines the key responsibilities and tasks for leaders (supervisors, managers, or team leads) on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. It ensures leaders are actively engaging with their teams, managing processes, and driving continuous improvement. LSW emphasizes consistency, discipline, and the importance of daily activities in creating a culture of improvement.

Leader Standard Work is important because:

• Ensures consistency: It helps leaders perform key tasks in a consistent manner, ensuring alignment with company goals.
• Focuses on key priorities: Leaders can focus on the most important activities that drive improvement, such as supporting team members, addressing issues, and monitoring progress.
• Promotes accountability: It holds leaders accountable for their role in supporting continuous improvement and process management.
• Drives cultural change: By creating habits around standardizing leadership actions, LSW fosters a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Improves leadership effectiveness: By creating structure around a leader's role, LSW helps leaders manage their time and resources more effectively.

The key elements of Leader Standard Work (LSW) typically include:

• Daily activities: Tasks that leaders perform daily to engage with their teams, monitor performance, and support improvements.
• Weekly activities: Activities that are performed on a weekly basis, such as team meetings, performance reviews, and strategy alignment sessions.
• Monthly activities: More strategic tasks, such as assessing progress towards goals, addressing systemic challenges, and long-term planning.
• Gemba Walks: Direct observations of processes where leaders go to the work area (the "Gemba") to understand and solve problems firsthand.
• Problem-solving and support: A focus on identifying issues, removing barriers, and providing coaching to team members.
• Performance tracking: Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and process metrics to ensure alignment with goals.
• Standard operating procedures (SOPs): Ensuring that the team follows established processes and standards.

In Leader Standard Work, the leader’s role is to:

• Support team members: Provide coaching, mentoring, and problem-solving to help team members overcome obstacles.
• Ensure adherence to standards: Monitor that processes and standards are being followed by the team and support improvements where necessary.
• Monitor performance: Use data and key performance indicators to track team and process performance.
• Remove roadblocks: Identify and address any obstacles that are preventing team members from doing their work effectively.
• Engage in continuous improvement: Participate in and drive continuous improvement activities like Kaizen events and Gemba walks.
• Set the example: Model behavior by adhering to standard work practices, being consistent, and demonstrating a focus on process improvement.

A Gemba Walk is a key part of Leader Standard Work. It involves the leader going to the “Gemba” (the place where the work happens) to observe processes, engage with workers, and identify issues or opportunities for improvement. It’s an essential way for leaders to:

• See firsthand how the work is being done.
• Engage with team members and understand challenges they face.
• Provide coaching, support, and feedback.
• Identify potential improvements and areas for standardization.
• Strengthen communication and build trust with the team.

Implementing Leader Standard Work (LSW) involves several steps:

1. Define key activities: Identify and define the specific tasks and activities that leaders must perform on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. These should be tied to organizational goals and continuous improvement efforts.
2. Standardize tasks: Develop standard procedures for each task to ensure consistency. This can include things like daily check-ins, problem-solving approaches, or performance reviews.
3. Create a visual schedule: Develop a visual schedule or checklist for leaders to follow, showing their daily, weekly, and monthly responsibilities.
4. Engage with the team: Ensure leaders are actively involved with the team, using Gemba walks and one-on-one coaching sessions to support employees and drive improvement.
5. Monitor progress: Track how well leaders are following the standard work and adjust as needed to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
6. Foster accountability: Hold leaders accountable for completing their standard work and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.

The benefits of Leader Standard Work (LSW) include:

• Improved alignment: Ensures that leaders' activities are aligned with organizational goals, helping the entire team focus on the same priorities.
• Consistency: Standardizing leadership activities ensures consistent decision-making and performance management.
• Increased productivity: By eliminating time spent on unnecessary tasks or firefighting, leaders can focus on high-priority activities that drive improvement.
• Better employee engagement: Regular coaching and engagement with team members improves morale, fosters trust, and boosts team performance.
• Faster problem-solving: With a structured approach to leadership and problem-solving, teams can address challenges more effectively.
• Continuous improvement culture: LSW reinforces a culture of continuous improvement by promoting consistent leader involvement and active participation in Gemba walks and Kaizen activities.

While Standard Work refers to the documented best practices for performing a specific task or process, Leader Standard Work focuses on the specific activities that leaders need to perform to support their teams and manage the processes effectively.

In essence:

• Standard Work: Focuses on the tasks and responsibilities of the workers or operators.
• Leader Standard Work: Focuses on the tasks and responsibilities of the leaders or managers, such as observing performance, coaching, and driving improvements.

Both forms of standardization are essential for ensuring consistent, high-quality outcomes.

Leader Standard Work is a key component of continuous improvement because it:

• Drives daily engagement: Leaders stay engaged with the team, continuously supporting improvements and identifying areas where processes can be enhanced.
• Encourages daily problem-solving: Leaders are encouraged to address problems as they arise and involve their teams in finding solutions.
• Supports Kaizen: Leaders are active participants in Kaizen (continuous improvement) events, providing the necessary coaching, resources, and support to ensure improvements are sustained.
• Improves team accountability: Leaders ensure their teams follow standardized processes and make corrections when necessary, helping to sustain improvements over time.

The effectiveness of Leader Standard Work (LSW) can be measured by:

• Achievement of goals: Leaders regularly track their performance against key objectives or KPIs, ensuring their activities are aligned with team or organizational goals.
• Employee feedback: Gathering feedback from team members about how well leaders are engaging with them, providing support, and removing obstacles.
• Process improvement outcomes: Evaluating whether the structured leadership activities have resulted in process improvements, such as reduced waste or increased efficiency.
• Consistency of leadership behaviors: Tracking how consistently leaders adhere to their standard work and whether deviations impact team performance or results.

To sustain Leader Standard Work:

• Make it part of the culture: Ensure that LSW is embedded in the organization’s daily routines and management systems, making it a natural part of leadership.
• Review and adjust: Regularly review and refine the leader’s standard work to ensure it remains relevant and effective as the organization evolves.
• Provide ongoing training: Train and re-train leaders on their roles and responsibilities, ensuring they understand the importance of standard work and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and support: Hold leaders accountable for maintaining standard work practices, and provide support when needed to help them stay on track.

Yes, Leader Standard Work (LSW) is highly adaptable and can be used in a variety of organizations, including:

• Manufacturing: Where leaders ensure that production processes are standardized, and performance metrics are met.
• Service industries: Leaders can use LSW to ensure high standards of service delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Healthcare: Leaders can use LSW to improve patient care and operational efficiency in healthcare settings.
• Retail: Store managers and team leaders can use LSW to improve operational processes and customer service in retail environments.
• Non-profits: Leaders in non-profit organizations can use LSW to ensure that organizational goals and community impact are consistently achieved.