Managers can powerfully combine Gemba Walks with their facilitation of Square Wheels images to drive insightful, open discussions about performance issues and process improvement.
These two approaches neatly overlap and mutually reinforce better communication and engagement over the long term, with the theme of generating more active involvement in the implementation of ideas for improvement.
A Gemba Walk is a focused form of Managing by Wandering Around (MBWA), a practice I first understood in reading and listening to Tom Peters back in the early 80s. The primary goal is to observe specific work processes in their actual environment (“the real place” or Gemba) to identify inefficiencies, waste, and opportunities for continuous continuous improvement. Gemba Walks are a deliberate, process-focused activity rooted in Lean management, designed to drive operational excellence and problem-solving. But they occur “on the shop floor.”
Square Wheels® are an expansive series of my illustrations and metaphors designed to generate group discussions about the things that work but do not work smoothly in order to generate ideas for improvement, called Round Wheels. It is a Rorschach Inkblot kind of experience, where the unique visual images serve to get people focused on the issues and opportunities in the workplace, among other issues underlying engagement and innovation.
Using Square Wheels® generally starts with a simple illustration and the question of, “How might this represent how organizations really work?” It is a simple and bombproof tool to generate discussions and solicit ideas about current issues, along with a framework to share best practices and other improvement ideas from the people actually doing the work. I’ve collected over 600 different responses to this image! It begins like this:
From this initial discussion, people see a variety of themes including the reality that the round wheels are already in the wagon, that leadership pulls but is isolated from the hands-on reality of the people at the back, and the thought that things work, but they do not work smoothly. YOU will probably get 5 or 6 ideas — it is why the collaborative group processing is so amazing!
Square Wheels® One – the main image we use to get the wheels rolling…
How to Integrate Square Wheels into a Gemba Walk Meeting Framework
1 – Start with your Direct Observation:
Begin your Gemba Walk by visiting the actual workplace, observing processes, and interacting with employees to understand how work is done and where challenges exist. The focus should be on the process, not on individual performance, and questions should be open-ended, such as, “What’s working well?” or “Where do things slow down?”
2 – Introduce Square Wheels Images in the Meeting:
After the walk, gather the team for a discussion and introduce the Square Wheels One image. These images use the wagon with Square Wheels metaphor (inefficient processes) and round wheels (better solutions) already available in the wagon-to spark discussion without defensiveness. Ask team members to relate what they observed or experienced during the Gemba Walk to elements in the image:
- What are our “Square Wheels”?
- What “round wheels” (solutions or ideas) do we already have that we could use?
- What is our shared vision and our goals?
- How are we communicating as a team?
3 – Facilitate Open Dialogue:
The visual metaphor lowers barriers, making it easier for people to speak candidly about problems and opportunities. Humor and simplicity help participants step back and see their work from a new perspective, minimizing resistance to change. Encourage everyone to share their insights and propose ideas for improvement.
There are MANY different approaches you can use for generating and collecting ideas, including many of the new tools like Miro and Stormz and others using AI tools for collection and processing. If you would like more information, drop me a comment.
4 – Connect Insights to Action:
Use the group’s input to identify actionable steps. Document the “square wheels” and “round wheels” discussed, and develop a plan to test or implement the best ideas. This collaborative approach ensures that solutions are grounded in real-world experience and collective wisdom. I have dozens of articles around these ideas for implementation on other blog posts. For example, you can see my post on Disruptive Engagement by clicking here.
A couple of AI Square Wheels Gemba Walk Haiku’s:
Square Wheels wagon rolls
Leaders walk the floor asking
Round Wheels await talk.
Gemba footsteps sound,
Noticing what slows your team
Ideas really close
How the Approaches Overlap to Improve Communication
| Gemba Walks | Square Wheels Images | Overlapping Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Direct observation of work processes | Visual, metaphorical representation of work | Both make problems visible and discussable |
| Dialogue with frontline employees | Engages everyone in storytelling and ideas | Both foster open, non-defensive dialogue |
| Focus on process, not blame | Humor and metaphor reduce resistance | Both create psychological safety and encourage open engagement |
| Action-oriented, continuous improvement | Encourages creative problem-solving | Both generate actionable improvement ideas and cognitive dissonance |
| Builds trust and engagement | Builds shared language and understanding | Both strengthen team alignment, morale and buy-in for active ownership |
Why This Process Works so Simply
Visuals Drive Engagement: Research shows visual aids like Square Wheels images can increase information retention by up to 65% and rapidly engage over 90% of participants in meaningful discussions.
Common Language for Change: Both methods create a shared vocabulary for discussing issues, making it easier to talk about “square wheels” instead of blaming individuals for problems. The images focus on the things that need to change, not the people; there are no blame frames or other negatives around discussing possibilities.
Employee Voice and Ownership: Employees are more likely to contribute ideas and feel ownership over solutions when they see leaders actively listening and using their input to drive change. This helps drive engagement and active ownership involvement.
Continuous Continuous Improvement Culture: The combination of observing reality (Gemba) and visual storytelling (Square Wheels) nurtures a culture where improvement is ongoing, and everyone’s perspective is valued. And, people will also note that, “The Round Wheels of Today will become the Square Wheels of Tomorrow.”
In Summary
By blending the structured, respectful observation of a Gemba Walk with the creative, non-threatening group discussions enabled by Square Wheels images and metaphors, managers can dramatically improve communication and active engagement around performance issues.
This approach not only surfaces hidden problems and practical solutions but also fosters a culture of openness, engagement, and continuous improvement-turning every meeting into a catalyst for positive change.
There are LOTS of other blogs around the application and effectiveness of the Square Wheels images on the PMC blog and, if you are interested in developing some tools around these images, let me know,
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For the FUN of It!
Dr. Scott Simmerman is a designer of team building games and organization improvement tools.
Managing Partner of Performance Management Company since 1984, he is an experienced presenter and consultant who is trying to retire!! He now lives in Cuenca, Ecuador.
You can reach Scott at scott@squarewheels.com
Learn more about Scott at his LinkedIn site.
Square Wheels® are a registered trademark of Performance Management
and cartoons have been copyrighted since 1993,
© Performance Management Company, 1993 – 2025
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