

For this reason, possessing the skills of solving problems and the ability to continuously improve are crucial to survival.

The choices presented then are to either remove the obstacles or to fail. The Toyota philosophy relies on the “system,” and adhering to its concepts will force people supporting the system into uncomfortable situations. The Toyota Way is not a natural behavior. Human beings tend to seek comfort and avoid discomfort. As we discussed earlier in the book, the Toyota Way is a cyclical process of achieving stability, standardizing practices, and then continually squeezing the process in order to expose the obstacles (seen as system weakness). This philosophy is rooted in the Japanese cultural desire to seek perfection in every activity. The Toyota Way seeks to identify and remove obstacles on the path to perfection. Every Problem Is an Improvement Opportunity.
