Want to lead real change? Start where the work happens. Nine questions to take with you on your next Gemba walk.
Want to lead real change? Start where the work happens. Gemba, a core Lean principle, means “the real place.” It’s more than a walk-through. It is about showing up with curiosity, asking the right questions, and learning directly from the people who know the process best.
When leaders “go Gemba,” they see inefficiencies with their own eyes, hear from those closest to the work, and spark improvements that are shared and owned by the team. It is about trust, insight and daily action rather than audits or fixes.
Gemba questions to get you started
- “Can you walk me through what you are doing?”
- “Where do delays or rework tend to happen?”
- “What’s the biggest frustration in your day?”
- “How do you know this process is in control?”
- “What’s changed recently, and how has it impacted your work?”
- “If you had a magic wand, what’s one thing you would improve?”
- “What support, tools or information would make this easier?”
- “How do you know you are meeting customer requirements?”
- “What would you change if you were in charge?”
These questions encourage reflection, spark ideas, and create the kind of safe, curious space where continuous improvement can thrive.
Get in touch for our free Gemba Walk Guide for Leaders and Gemba Questions one-pager, to help bring this practice to life in your workplace.
Want to go deeper?
The Gemba mindset is just one tool in our Culture of Continuous Improvement course, part of the Productivity Excellence Academy, our online platform packed with practical learning for real-world impact. Find out more at productivityexcellenceacad.com.