Out on the Trails
I’m in beautiful Fernie, BC this week, and I’ve been spending as much time as I can out hiking and mountain biking. The weather has been cooperating, the Golden Larches are Larching (?) and everything feels a little more relaxed on a beautiful Fall day.
There’s something about being outside that clears your head and reminds you how much you miss when you’re just rushing from one thing to the next.
It’s easy to get caught up in the everyday rush and hustle and bustle, but I think we also need to give our nervous systems a chance to reset every once in a while. It’s also nice to get out for a walk, be free from distraction, and let your brain work on some creative concepts for say, this week’s newsletter.
All this walking and thinking has been bringing me back to the concept of a Gemba Walk. Other than being a 10/10 catchy name, the concept is also great - it loosely translates to “go to the real place.” In business, it’s usually the gap between what leaders/owners think is happening in the day-to-day operations of a business, and what is actually happening by the people doing the job.
The idea is that leaders should go on a “Gemba Walk” and see the work being done as it truly is - without assumptions.
Everyday Gemba Walks
Here are a few simple ways to bring the “go and see” principle into your own day:
Thought: “I didn’t move much today.”
Gemba Walk: Check your step counter or fitness watch. Sometimes you’ve done more than you realize (or, yes, sometimes less).Thought: “I haven’t talked to anyone in forever.”
Gemba Walk: Scroll your messages or call log. Odds are you connected with someone recently, even if it didn’t feel like it.Thought: “I never have time for myself.”
Gemba Walk: Open your calendar and scan for small gaps. A 15-minute slot may be hiding that you can reclaim. Bonus - try a five minute meditation to really slow down time!Thought: “I’m not making progress on my goals.”
Gemba Walk: Write down three things you’re proud of doing in the last month. You’ll often see that you have moved the needle - just in smaller steps.Thought: “The weather’s terrible.”
Gemba Walk: Step outside. It might not be as bad as it looks from the window - or the walk itself changes how you feel about it.
Less Guessing, More Seeing
The lesson from both the factory floor and the hiking trail is the same: you learn more when you go see for yourself. Whether it’s checking in on your goals, time management, activity level or best of all, your friends, a little real-world observation beats assumptions every time.
