Lean leaders inspiring employee engagement in a healthcare setting

Leaders are assumed to play a key role in sustainability of lean work practices. This study focuses on the leaders' impact on employee engagement during the implementation of lean practices. The first part of this exploratory longitudinal study within a Dutch primary healthcare facility is reported. The employees of one team completed a survey and noted, during eight weeks, their sources of engagement in a diary. Additional site visits and interviews were held. Preliminary findings indicate that leaders may strengthen engagement by reducing non-medical workload via lean work practices. The resulting three propositions may guide future research in this field.