Lean manufacturing is often misinterpreted as an austerity program, but its core principles tell a different story. True Lean emphasizes customer value, waste elimination, flow, pull, and continuous improvement, all grounded in respect for people. It’s a management philosophy for creating value, not simply slashing expenses. When companies equate Lean with layoffs or one-time cost cuts, they undermine employee morale, stifle innovation, and derail the very improvements Lean was designed to achieve.