Research Paper By Anne Avento-Krapf
(Life Coaching, FINLAND)
The intention of this research paper is to provide basic information of Kaizen and how it can be used in coaching. The paper will explain why Kaizen approach works, link it to other commonly used coaching tools and define some situations where it might be the most effective approach to use.
As Kaizen is only one of many well know and used techniques in corporate word (Kaizen being especially well known in manufacturing companies) this research paper will hopefully rise the question of is there some other tools, techniques, approaches we use routinely in different fields of life / business that could be used in coaching to make it even more efficient but also easier to approach for clients.
Kaizen
The word Kaizen is Japanese and it consist of two words Kai and Zen witch mean
Kai change
Zen good
together as Kaizen it is translated “Change for the better” or continuous improvement.
Once using Kaizen the change needed = large goal is cut to smallest improvement actions possible to make sure execution really happens.
Kaizen method is part of lean thinking, an approach where waste is minimized in favor to do more with less and provide the customer exactly what they want. Waste can be unnecessary use of any resources; materials, space, time, human effort. Once getting rid of waste work provides immediate feedback directly to the person who has done it witch is very satisfying and opens the way to new ideas and improvements.
Lean thinking was brought to USA during II WW and it proved it’s effects in boosting manufacturing industry to a new more productive level. After II WW it was anyhow forgot in USA, but introduced widely in Japan leading e.g to “Toyota way” of thinking. After Japanese consumer goods heavy in march in 1980s lean thinking was again introduced in west and it is continuously used in many businesses beyond manufacturing.
Braking the large goal into a small achievable steps is a method that is commonly used in coaching. Recently it has been introduced also in coaching arenas trough Kaizen, it’s Japanese equivalent.
Even tough the small step approach haven’t been unknown to coaches, using the word Kaizen when introducing it inside corporations will find many audiences that are immediately “on the same page” just by the use the well known concept. (i,ii)
Why Kaizen Works
To understand why Kaizen works it is required to understand a little how human brain works. Human brain consist of three separate parts; brain stem, midbrain and cortex, witch all have unique and important functions.
Brain stem (also called reptilian brain) in the bottom of the brain, takes care of the basic functions like waking up, falling sleep, heart beat etc. Mid brain (also called mammalian brain) houses emotions, regulates body temperature and governs “the fight or flight” response that is developed during centuries to keep a mammals alive in the face of danger. Cortex that wraps up the rest of the brain and is the part of brain that makes one human. Cortex is responsible of rational thoughts and creative impulses.
The three brain setting doesn’t always work on human beings best benefit. Once experiencing difficulties in proceeding in some tasks or projects the main culprit is the amygdala in midbrain. Amygdala is responsible of “the fight or flight” response witch was heightened every time human’s forefathers put themselves in danger by stepping outside their safe grounds. The problem with amygdala and “the fight or flight” response is that it activates even today every time a person wants to discover something new. Therefore every change; new challenge, opportunity, desire triggers some amount of fear and once amygdala is in action, cortex, the thinking part of brain, can not function.
There are a few people who seem to be able to turn their fear to excitement, but most people follow the equation, where;
large goal (change) -> fear -> restricted access to cortex -> failure
-> small goal -> fear bypassed -> cortex engaged -> success
large goal (change) -> small goal -> fear bypassed -> cortex engaged -> success
-> small goal -> fear bypassed -> cortex engaged -> success
Breaking the large goal to small goals as Kaizen advises bypasses the fear and amygdala response and leads to success. Once cortex is engaged the pace of progress towards the goal accelerates. The thinking process is now clear and focusing in small goals, quick wins results in achieving the ultimate large goal even faster than expected. Understanding how the brain works, being aware where one’s personal “fight-of-flight” response level lies and not entering there, ensure success. (iii)