2023 Jul-Aug RETA Breeze

Charles Osgood, the radio and television commentator wrote a poem entitled “Responsibility”, and it provides a lesson that is relevant to managers who are trying to Sustain a 5-S program.

“EVERYBODY’S JOB” IS NOBODY’S JOB

Responsibility There was a most important job that needed to be done, And no reason NOT to do it, there was absolutely none. But in vital matters such as this the thing you have to ask, is WHO exactly will it be who’ll carry out this task. ANYBODY could have told you that EVERYBODY knew, that this was something SOMEBODY would surely have to do. NOBODY was unwilling, ANYBODY had the ability, but NOBODY thought he was supposed to be the one. It seemed to be a job that ANYBODY could have done, If ANYBODY thought he was supposed to be the one. But since EVERYBODY recognized that ANYBODY could, EVERYBODY took for granted that SOMEBODY would. But NOBODY told ANYBODY that we are aware of, That he would be in charge of seeing it was taken care of. And NOBODY took it on himself to follow through and DO, What EVERYBODY thought that SOMEBODY would do. When what EVERYBODY needs so did not get done at all, EVERYBODY was complaining that SOMEBODY dropped the ball. ANYBODY then could see it was an awful crying shame, And EVERYBODY looked around for SOMEBODY to blame. SOMEBODY should have done the job and EVERYBODY would have, But in the end NOBODY did what ANYBODY could have.

Keith Harper, RETA National Chairman

In my last article I wrote about the 5-S, and of course I wrapped up with the final “S”: Sustain. Now I would like to expand on that concept. Sustaining the progress made in implementing a 5-S system is easier said than done. It can be done. However, it takes persistence, leadership, discipline, and common sense on the part of management. If the new state of things is not important to the manager, the engine room, and the department, will inevitably return to the previous state. If you have implemented a 5-S program, take a moment to reflect on the previous state of your workspace. You may recall a filthy engine room that was dimly lit, and floors slick with water and oil. Perhaps the corners were stacked with junk, and the aisleways cluttered with hoses, ladders, and mislaid tools. Certainly, you don’t want to return to that previous state. Sustain is a deceptively simple word. How do we as managers sustain what we have gained?

24 RETA.com