Not too long ago, while looking for some light entertainment during a long flight, I decided to watch the action-comedy film Central Intelligence, starring the dynamic duo, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart. The movie was entertaining and had its funny moments, making the flight time pass by quicker. However, one particular scene sparked an unexpected thought about Lean methodology and organizational transformation. It’s funny how movies starring Kevin Hart and The Rock can sometimes offer surprising insights into real-world concepts.
In Central Intelligence, we see Dwayne Johnson in his now-iconic physique – muscular and imposing:
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson in Central Intelligence, showcasing his muscular physique
The comedic premise of the film reveals that Johnson’s character, Bob, was once severely overweight in high school and faced bullying because of it. The movie attempts to derive humor from this, though the bullying aspect itself is certainly not funny.
Early in the movie, through CGI, we see Bob’s appearance during his high school years:
A CGI depiction of Dwayne Johnson's character, Bob, as an overweight teenager in Central Intelligence
Interestingly, in reality, The Rock was a college football player and wasn’t significantly lighter than his current weight even back then.
In the movie’s narrative, Bob returns to his hometown after two decades, having undergone a complete physical transformation. Kevin Hart’s character is naturally astonished and inquires about his transformation.
Bob’s response is simple yet profound:
“I just did one thing… I worked out for six hours a day, every day, for the last 20 years.”
While I couldn’t find the exact movie clip online, I recall a humorous exchange where Kevin Hart’s character, or perhaps Bob himself, jokingly adds:
“I mean, anybody can do it, right?”
Technically, yes, anybody could dedicate six hours daily to working out. But realistically, who has that much time? More importantly, who possesses the drive and energy for such a demanding routine? And genuinely needs to?
This movie scene and the incredible transformation of The Rock’s character made me reflect on how organizations, much like individuals, approach improvement. When we look at highly successful organizations like Toyota or ThedaCare, we often see the impressive “after” picture, the result of years of dedication. Just as Dwayne Johnson needs to maintain his workout and diet to stay in shape, successful organizations must continuously improve and uphold the practices that led to their success.
The desire for quick fixes and instant results is common. People often seek shortcuts, “silver bullets,” or “instant pudding.”
Mmmmmm… instant pudding does sound appealing.
Similarly, many organizations aspire to emulate the success of ThedaCare or Toyota, but they often desire the outcome without committing to the necessary effort.
It’s akin to individuals who go to the gym and merely pretend to exercise. Some organizations adopt “Lean boards” and hold superficial “huddles,” mistaking the appearance of effort for genuine improvement. Wearing workout clothes and carrying a water bottle (or having a Lean board) doesn’t automatically translate to effective improvement initiatives.
Organizations like Toyota and ThedaCare maintain a humble approach. They don’t claim to be inherently smarter than their competitors. Their success stems from their unwavering diligence and consistent effort over time – Toyota for approximately 70 years and ThedaCare for about 15.
Franciscan St. Francis Health, another example, has been dedicated to daily improvement for around 10 years. They would likely echo, “anybody can do it.” But the real question is, are you truly willing to put in the consistent effort?
It doesn’t even necessitate six hours a day.
Consider visiting Franciscan to witness a culture of continuous improvement firsthand. The commitment required isn’t as daunting as a six-hour daily workout. The challenging yet achievable aspect is the “EVERY DAY” part – the consistent dedication to improvement, day in and day out.
What are your thoughts on this analogy? Share your perspective in the comments below.
