“Kantoku.” This word appears quite frequently in Japan. A movie director is “Eiga Kantoku.” In sports, head coach is translated as “Kantoku.”
“Kantoku” is made from two symbols.
The first symbol, Kan 【監】, means to observe, to observe against a model. Therefore, it also means a role model. This symbol consists of the top left, meaning to see, the top right, representing a man looking down, and the bottom part, representing the mirror. Therefore, this symbol is looking down with self-reflection. We have a saying that “Genba is a mirror of management,” but this is a good symbol that represents such thinking.
The second symbol, Toku 【督】, also means to observe. It also means to correct, prompt, recommend, and to lead. The top part of this symbol represents neutral or balanced, and the bottom means to see. This symbol represents observation with a fair attitude.
So is this word, Kantoku, used in business? In the Toyota Production System (TPS)?
Yes.
Following is the paragraph from “Toyota Production System” by Taiichi Ohno (1978).
In Japan, it is said that “time is the shadow of motion.” In most cases, delay is generated by differences in operator motion and sequence. The job of the field supervisor, section chief, or group foreman[1] is to train workers. I have always said that it should take only three days to train new workers in proper work procedures. When instruction in the sequence and key motions is clear, workers quickly learn to avoid redoing a job or producing defective parts. To do this, however, the trainer[2] must actually take the hands of the workers and teach them. This generates trust in the supervisor[3].
Ohno, Taiichi. Toyota Production System: Beyond Large-Scale Production (p. 22). (Function). Kindle Edition.
The red underlined part with numbers is edited. In the Japanese version, these three parts are all “Kantoku-person.”
At [1], it is written as “Kantoku-person (team leader & group leader).” Therefore, “Kantoku-person” in TPS should always be translated as team leader and group leader. To understand why such a category exists is because of the Japanese labor law. The labor law divides workers into managerial and labor. Labor has their rights protected. Team leaders and group leaders are part of labor by law. For example, they will get paid for overtime. The work of the team leader & group leader is somewhat between or both labor and management. It’s hard to draw a line between the two.
The word “trainer” was added to the English translation in [2]. According to Ohno’s original writing, the team and group leaders are responsible for training the standardized work. That doesn’t mean the “trainer” doesn’t exist. The trainer is responsible for teaching the essential skills required for factory work. Once such orientation is completed, the team and group leaders train the standardized work.
The third [3] point also uses “Kantoku—person.” In this case, it was translated as supervisor, but it should be team leader and group leader.
This “Kantoku” is not just about translation. It emphasizes activities that Toyota saw as critical between management and labor. Many talk about the importance of the team leader & group leader in TPS. As a result, the job title “team leader and group leader” exists in many places. Yet, the soul is missing. Some interpret as close to labor. Therefore, team leaders work like “an extra labor.” Many places call such a position as “floater.” Typically, such positions are slightly more evaluated and have the privilege of doing only easy tasks. The others interpret it as a more managerial position. As a result, they spend all day in front of computers. Some claim they are working on daily reports, ending in three sentences. Doesn’t make any sense.
Note that both symbols of Kantoku have meaning to observe. Toyota pays enormous respect for allowing team and group leaders to observe Genba directly. That means during the work hours, they will not be interrupted from direct observation of Genba. No one should set up meetings, that pulls them away from Genba during work hours. If we need to ask them something, do it in the Genba and talk to them when they have time. This is a fundamental form of respect. This exists in many places. No head coach will be pulled to a meeting during the game in sports. During the movie shooting is the same. Somehow, we developed many bad habits in production.
Taiichi Ohno used a lot of old Japanese and didn’t hesitate to change it. Yet, he kept using those meanings he liked. Kantoku is such a word.
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