Some of you might be familiar with the internet meme, spreading on Facebook especially, about “what people think of my profession” (as described in this Washington Post blog post). For example, see “what a contemporary artist does.” It's all a bit tongue in cheek and it's good fun.
Here is my take on how people view what a Lean Healthcare Consultant does (click for larger view):
Now, they say if you have to explain the joke, then it isn't much of a joke… but my thoughts behind the six images:
- Friends: When people hear about “lean,” they often think it's a diet or exercise program
- Mom: This is just supposed to represent the general view that a mom might have, exaggerating their kid's work in their own mind (I'm not saying my mom thinks I'm scrubbing into surgery).
- Doctors: Yeah, I wear karate gear and a black belt, spouting lots of Japanese terms.
- Executives: Now, not all execs think I'm there to “cut heads.” That's certainly not what I do (see my article on the “no layoffs due to Lean” policies). Nurses and front-line staff might also be afraid I'd be there to cut heads.
- Me: Going with the meme, this is supposed to represent one's inflated view of what they do (a “Lean as superman” image that I created to mock the idea that “Lean is here to save the day” as if it's an easy answer and a quick fix.
- Really do: Â This is a picture I took visiting a team that was creating the most complex value stream maps I've ever seen (maybe too complex).
What images would you choose for different stakeholder groups?
Facebook users can easily share the picture from this page.
What do you think? Please scroll down (or click) to post a comment. Or please share the post with your thoughts on LinkedIn – and follow me or connect with me there.
Did you like this post? Make sure you don't miss a post or podcast — Subscribe to get notified about posts via email daily or weekly.
Check out my latest book, The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation:
Mark,
I was thinking about this last night when I was checking out my friend’s Facebook posts. This is what I came up with.
*Friends: Labor Reduction Expert. You Tube “the bobs from office space”
*Mom: A big question mark “?”. She probably tells people I am a senior executive big wig at a hospital.
*Doctors/Nurse: Picture of a patient going down a dirty manufacturing line.
*Executives: “Trim the Fat”, Look for the big cost savings not small daily improvements.
*Me: I like your picture. Trying the save healthcare!
*Really do: Picture of a school teacher.
Yes, “The Bobs” from Office Space would be a good visual, if people know the movie. LINK TO PIC.
Mark – I really like your friends, doctors/nurse, and executive descriptions. So will you create a picture of this to be part 2 of the lean healthcare consultant description?
Genius!! I love this!
What about “What patients think I do?” I’m sure there are a variety of views on healthcare consultants from the patient’s perspective.
What image or picture would you suggest, Nick?
Well, if we are doing our jobs right, perhaps an angel with a halo? Or how about Neo from The Matrix with some sunglasses on. They see the benefits and receive better care, but don’t know who we are or how we helped. I think it really depends on the interactions we have with the patients.
I’d hope that Lean people are able to do the type of work that leads us to be seen as heroes or angels. Lean work done to improve patient safety and quality may or may not been seen by all of the patients.
I had an older patient say once, “oh, you’re the time study man!” which brings up this outdated image:
Picture Link
And see my blog post about that:
https://www.leanblog.org/2007/11/youre-time-study-man/
I would add a category called “what my boss thinks I do”. Pick a Dilbert frame with the boss’s take on Lean and call it good.
Facebook users can easily share the picture from here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150559893694492&set=a.190034329491.130239.9211559491&type=1
Here’s a more general management consulting version that’s pretty funny (link to a Facebook image, so this might work):
http://bit.ly/yjfEWI