The Harada Method the Spirit of Self-Reliance

I would like to say I had the opportunity to listen to one of Norman Bodek's webinar 's and found it to be exactly what I have been looking for. As a result of that webinar, I purchased The Harada Method book. It is a perfect place to start in becoming Self-Reliant in the workplace and personally.I have been in a number of industries through the years and a victim of down-sizing, right-sizing etc. implementing “Lean” and it always struck me that it was all about money no matter what your contribution was as an employee. I learned in my college days about "Social Responsibility" - that concept is totally foreign to Companies and Corporations today. I have also found that most organizations do not take the time to 'invest' in their employee's that in turn build strong employees, teamwork, higher and more effective productivity, creativity etc. Training is the last item to consider with most American companies. The various interviews in the book provide insight into the differences between American and Japanese management philosophies especially with respect to the individual. The concepts provided seem to be common-sense but are taken to another level in terms of discipline and execution (the method involving answering 33 questions for Self Reliance, setting Long Term Goals, using the Open Window 64 chart, setting up your Daily Diary, and setting up your Routine Check Sheet) and with the assistance of a trusted coach.The book discusses the philosophy of Mr. Takashi Harada in relation to Taiichi Ohno (the Toyota Production System), Dr’s Shiegeo Shingo SMED / Poka Yoke), and Joji Akao (Hoshin Planning / QFD). The book compares American and Japanese Lean Manufacturing with interviews with Dr. Jeffrey Liker (The Toyota Way) discussing the relationship between the Toyota Production System success and developing employees.One of the concepts that made an impression on me was the concept of becoming a Master; i.e. learning by watching in a master / apprentice relationship reverting to what was done in the past in America. The other item of interest was the Ohno Circle involving deep observation of processes to understand problems and identify waste. I also found it interesting about a comment: “Too often the idea of mastery is the if we understand the concept intellectually to the point where we can define it, we have mastered it…. if we understand something intellectually, we out to be able to do it. … there is no connection between what we understand intellectually and what we have the capacity to do.”If you are interested in the Human Side of Lean and if you are looking for a place to start in becoming self-reliant as well as contributing to your work, to society, and to yourself and family; The Harada Method is the foundation for that rewarding journey.

I love to study goal setting and habit forming. This book combines that and other great techniques into one system. I love it! I'm not much of a reader, but I couldn't put this book down. I read it in one day. There were one or two concepts I had questions on and so I reached out the to author and he was very responsive and helpful.

When I was a very young man and hoping to set out on a journey to seek my fortune I read W. Clement Stone and Norman Vincent Peale and other early gurus of self help and self-discipline. It was all good and inspiring, but it was mostly anecdotal. There was no real method or discipline to it. The Harada Method changes that. It is a disciplined, well thought out method of self-discipline and self-development.About twenty or twenty five years ago Norman Bodek was taking executives to Japan to see the Japanese discipline of management, and he brought Taiichi Ohno and Shigeo Shingo to the U.S. to teach at his Productivity conferences. Honestly, most folks didn't get it then. But, Norman kept translating their books and preaching the new discipline of management.Now Norman Bodek has discovered the Harada method and has given us this latest gift of the Japanese mind. You have to listen when Norman Bodek speaks. He has been too right for too long to be ignored. His book on the Harada method presents not only a disciplined process of self-development, it is a process that can be applied on an enterprise scale. The benefits of everyone achieving a higher level of discipline and development across and enterprise should be obvious.This is worth reading, either for yourself or for your organization.Lawrence M. Miller[...]

After reading "Kaikaku" I was keen to read another book by Norman Bodek. This looked the most interesting of his other books so I ordered a copy. I enjoyed the book so much that I ended up attending five days of training on the Harada Method with Norman as well!The Harada Method is a proven set of tools and techniques to get the most out of your capabilities, to achieve your goals, and to set you on the path to self-reliance. Many of the components of the Harada Method may already be familiar to you, but it is the complete system that has brought success for the students of Mr Harada.If you want the tools to create the future you want, this book is a great starting point. Importantly, you MUST put into practice the Harada Method, not simply read the book. Another gem from Norm Bodek!

Takashi Harada's proven methodology for achieving personal and professional success is wonderfully presented by Norman Bodek. The approach requires you to thoughtfully determine what it is you want to achieve in your life and your career. Then it provides you with the tools and a process you can use to create your success and achieve your goals.The focus is on self-reliance. You determine the goals and what you need to do to be successful and of course you have to do the work. However the process and tools provide the structure you need to create your future.Robert Fritz in the Path of Least Resistance taught us about the need to change the underlying structures that lead us in directions we don't want. The Harada Method teaches us how to bring about those changes. As an Organization Development Consultant I also see how Harada's tools and process can be adapted to help an Organization clarify it's goals and achieve success.

Was told about the book by a retired VP of Manufacturing for a sizable international firm in upstate NY. Found the book very interesting and the spread sheet concept intriguing. It is not necessarily a paradigm shit, but it does give plenty of food for some new thoughts. The thing I most enjoyed about the Harada Method is that it can be applied to many things beyond even what he points out in the book. It was well worth the read if for no other reason than to recharge my brain and how I think.

As an agile coach I have worked on large-scale business transformations using agile and lean methods. We often approach business transformations from the process side, look at data and cost-savings but what gets often forgotten is the people who work in that company. Research by Gallup shows how badly our people management practices need to transform - only 13% of our employees feel engaged at work.I highly recommend this book for any manager, HR professional, coach or agile, lean coach as a practical way to re-engage their employees and to help develop them to their fullest potential.The Harada method described in this book is an important piece of the puzzle to transform the way we run our companies from the human aspect and shift our mindset about management. Instead of telling people what to do and paying them to do it, we invite people to contribute to our company using their full self, their strengths, motivations and talents.The Harada method develops self-driven, self-reliant qualities in people so that they can understand their life purpose, their goals, define their own definition of success and gather enough support and motivation through daily activities to achieve those goals.By reading this book, you can apply a various set of exercises to your own personal and work life to achieve any goal that is important to you. A few exercises among others are - the purpose chart, which helps you clarify, what benefits achieving your goal will bring you, such as material wealth, immaterial, intangible benefits - such as mental health or physical health, for example, as well as how your goal can help others, your family, your community and society. Another exercise is the 64 chart, which helps to break down a longer term goal into 8 areas of competence/development where you need to focus, and brainstorm 8 tasks, actions you can do within each area. From this, you can build a backlog of prioritised tasks to perform in your next few weeks. A great practice described in the book is a daily journal and Calendar with your tasks planned in, and reflection exercises at the end of the day to hold yourself accountable. "Did I do this task?" "Why not? What have I learned? What can I do better?"Coupled with coaching, the Harada method is a truly powerful way to help you achieve your goals whether in personal or professional life and to develop your confidence and talents to your best potential.

the method started to change my life forever, just love, thanks Norman for bringing the wonderful practice to English world. Kennie

Excellent principle for coaching people and getting them focussed on achieving their goal.

Die Harada-Methode ist Zielsetzungstool, Hoshin-Werkzeug und Zeitplanungstool in einem. Sie umfasst Motivationsaspekte und ist ein erprobtes Mittel im Change-Management. Soweit mir bekannt ist, soll bald eine deutsche Fassung erscheinen. Wirklich komplett, wenn es um die (Selbst-) Verbesserung einzelner Leistungsträger, Arbeitsgruppen oder ganzer Unternehmen geht.

It’s a good overview however I would have liked more instructions on developing the chart, setting goals etc