Top 15 quotes for Lean and Continuous Improvement

Embedding a culture of Lean and Continuous Improvement (CI) in your organisation requires commitment and vision. Sometimes you need a little spark of motivation to keep yourself and your people on track. Keep pushing for operational excellence so you can make a real impact on your mission for the ones you serve. Here are a few of our favourite quotes at Ad Esse for harnessing the power of Lean and CI.

1. “Data, of course is important, but I prefer facts.” - Taiichi Ohno

Is your data giving you an accurate account of what’s really happening? Relying solely on data can lead to misinterpretation, so it's essential to observe your processes directly to understand the real issues. Base your decisions on firsthand facts from observing processes in action for a full picture, not just numbers on a report.

2. “If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it.” - Lord Kelvin

Without clear metrics, it's impossible to know whether a process is getting better or worse. Measuring performance allows your team to track progress, identify problems, and make informed decisions that drive continuous improvement.

3. “A correct diagnosis is three-fourths the remedy.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Accurately identifying the root cause of a problem is the most critical step toward solving it. When you take time to properly diagnose issues, the path to improvement becomes clearer and more effective, saving time and resources.

4. “The most dangerous kind of waste is the waste we do not recognise.” - Shigeo Shingo

Unrecognised waste, like inefficient processes or unnecessary tasks, can quietly drain resources and hinder performance. Actively seek out and identify hidden waste so you can eliminate it and continuously improve operations.

5. “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.” - Peter F. Drucker

Doing a task efficiently doesn’t make it valuable if the task itself is unnecessary. Question whether a process adds real value before improving it. Eliminating waste starts with doing the right things, not just doing things right.

6. “When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just hacking at the leaves.” - Anthony J. D’Angelo

Solving problems superficially may offer temporary relief, but lasting improvement comes from addressing root causes. Dig deep into issues, using tools like the 5 Whys to eliminate the source of waste rather than just treating symptoms.

7. “Lean isn’t lean if it doesn’t involve everyone.” - John Shook

Lean only works when everyone is involved, from leadership to frontline teams, because improvement depends on shared ownership and collaboration. When people are excluded, opportunities for innovation and problem-solving are missed, weakening the impact of Lean initiatives.

8. "Practice the philosophy of continuous improvement. Get a little bit better every single day." - Brian Tracy

Continuous improvement means making small, consistent progress every day rather than waiting for big changes. This mindset builds momentum, strengthens team habits, and leads to lasting results over time, just like Lean encourages steady, incremental gains.

9. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle

Excellence isn’t achieved through one-off efforts; it’s built through consistent habits and daily actions. Embed continuous improvement into your routines, making excellence a natural outcome of how work is done.

10. “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” - Vince Lombardi

Striving for perfection sets a high standard that drives continuous improvement, even if perfection itself is never fully reached. Aim high, because in the pursuit of perfection, you often achieve excellence.

11. "The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency." - Bill Gates

Automating a broken or inefficient process only makes the problems worse, while automating a well-designed process boosts productivity. Improve workflows first, so technology enhances value rather than amplifying waste.

12. “If you can’t describe what you are doing as a process, you don’t know what you’re doing.” - W. Edwards Deming

If you can’t clearly define your work as a process, it’s likely that you lack full understanding or control over it. Be clear on your process because only well-understood workflows can be measured, improved, and consistently repeated.

13. “Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets.” - W. Edwards Deming

The results you get (good or bad) are a direct reflection of how your systems are designed. Examine and redesign processes intentionally, because lasting improvement only comes from changing the system that produces the outcomes.

14. “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” - Japanese proverb

Having a clear vision without taking action leads to missed opportunities, while taking action without direction causes confusion and wasted effort. Align purposeful action with strategic goals so your team can move forward with clarity and impact.

15. “Without standards, there can be no kaizen.” - Taiichi Ohno

Without clear standards, you have no baseline to measure or improve against, making continuous improvement impossible. Standardised your processes to identify gaps, track progress, and build sustainable improvements.

Inspired to dive deeper? Book onto our online Introduction to Lean and CI course and learn at your own pace. If you’d like more hands on support with embedding these principles in your organisation, ask Ad Esse. Email hello@ad-esse.com. We’re here to help you reach operational excellence for the ones you serve.