id: japanese-hansei
title: Hansei Reflection
description: >-
  A Japanese practice of deep self-reflection on one's actions and
  shortcomings, performed individually and sometimes collectively after a
  project or event. Originating in Japanese cultural and Buddhist-influenced
  traditions and central to Toyota's improvement practice.
source: Japanese cultural tradition / Toyota hansei practice
source_url: https://www.lean.org/
tags: [japanese, hansei, reflection, improvement]
forked_from: null
image: null
steps:
  - headline: Identify what fell short
    description: >-
      The person or team identifies specifically where they fell short of
      the standard or their own intentions — not to assign blame but to
      see clearly.
  - headline: Take personal responsibility
    description: >-
      Each person names their own contribution to the shortfall, without
      deflecting to circumstances or others. Hansei is owned, not assigned.
  - headline: Identify the root in oneself
    description: >-
      The person reflects on what within their own habits, assumptions, or
      skills led to the shortfall, going beneath the surface action.
  - headline: Commit to a concrete change
    description: >-
      The person commits to a specific change in practice or mindset and,
      in a team context, shares it so others can hold them accountable.
outcome: >-
  A clear-eyed reckoning with one's own shortcomings produces a concrete
  commitment to change, owned by the person themselves.
practice: >-
  Hansei is not self-flagellation. It is honest seeing. If the reflection
  does not lead to a specific change, it is incomplete.