Learning to Be Innovative ◾ 61
back half of the innovation process, is likely to go smoother because the ideas are
already jointly sponsored by the managers and physicians. While the practice of
joint training and operational leadership is not unique to Virginia Mason—Kaiser-
Permanente and others have well- developed systems of physician– management
partnerships throughout their organizational hierarchy—it is an important con-
tributor to the organization’s success at integrating lean and innovation.
Standard work for leaders. Another practice that supports innovative thinking
is one that might seem counterintuitive. While further development and deploy-
ment is ongoing, departmental leaders are establishing standard work to guide what
the ...