The term ‘fake lean’ is useful as it points to the various ways in which lean is put into praxis. At the same time, ‘fake’ in this expression condemns particular uses. Against the background of literature on organization concepts, we discuss the notion of ‘fake lean’. This essay centers around the tenability of the essentialist norm inherent in ‘fake lean’. We encourage users of ‘lean’ to reflect on how they put it into practice, and whether or not they decide to ‘fake’ this organization concept.