Whether you are to implement Lean or Agile, support from executive management is needed. Not only support is needed, also understanding, engagement and drive. Executive management has an interest in vision and strategy and what’s on the bottom line.
If you have support from your executive management: Congratulations!
For the rest of us: How can we get the attention and support from our executive management? Here are a couple of ideas:
- Speak their language
Address people in a language they listen to. - Identify what is troubling them
By understanding what is troubling management you can map that to Lean and Agile. Most people agree that it is easier to influence someone when you clearly show that you understand their problems and can show how your suggested solution address the problems. - Be inclusive
Thinking and acting in therms of “us” is IMHO much more successful than using the “we and them”-strategy.
These are some thoughts. Do you have opinions, thoughts and experiences to add? Please leave a comment.