The first objective can be met with many means. It often is done using lean methodologies and tools, but in a way that doesn’t meet the second objective. Not only is this approach not respectful to the people who do the work,  but the improvements are also highly unlikely to be sustained.

The objective of developing people can be achieved through solving the (business) problem in a way that supports a problem solving culture. How do you approach the work in a way that supports a problem solving culture?

• Coach / support improvement work in the same way you desire the improvement work to be done. (Model the behavior / thinking you desire):

1. Where are we?
2. Where do we need to be?
3. How do we understand what is preventing us from getting where we need to be and learn our way there.

It is frequently assumed that the two objectives noted above are the purpose of lean. If we aren’t explicit about the objective to develop problem solving capability are we surprised that our approach might not support it?