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Norman was a great man. Always teaching. He is missed.
Norman Bodek: The Man Who Brought Lean to America It has been just over 4 years since Norman's passing. A group of Harada Coaches, Noriko Hosoyamada, and I were discussing Norman yesterday. In a sense he is still alive in us. He was a personality, that's for sure. He always mentioned that in highschool his teachers voted him as "Most Likely to get ahead," he followed up with... "because he needs one!" He was modest, creative, and he discovered talent. In 1979, Norman Bodek was running a small publishing company when he stumbled upon a life-changing discovery. During a business trip to Japan, he witnessed manufacturing excellence that would forever change Western industry. He saw factories operating with unprecedented efficiency, where workers were deeply engaged and constantly improving their work. This was his first encounter with what we now call Lean manufacturing. Norm's genius lay in recognizing that the true power of Japanese manufacturing wasn't just in the tools and techniques, but in the people. He began publishing English translations of works by giants like Taiichi Ohno and Shigeo Shingo, introducing concepts like Kaizen, Quick Changeover, and the Toyota Production System to the Western world. His most profound contribution came later when he discovered the Harada Method, developed by Takashi Harada. This method focused on developing people to their fullest potential, teaching that true organizational excellence comes from human development. The Harada Method showed how every person could become excellent at what they do through self-reliance, goal-setting, and methodical skill development. Norman didn't just translate concepts; he lived them. He conducted countless study missions to Japan, bridging cultures and mindsets. His work helped thousands of companies and individuals understand that Lean is fundamentally about respect for people and continuous personal growth. Norman, you are missed.
