Simplicity is really at the heart of continuous improvement:

Simple ideas and simple ways to reduce costs, improve efficiency, increase productivity or maximize quality.

Focusing on continuous improvement raises our consciousness of the thousands of tiny improvement opportunities that literally surround us each day.

It is mathematically obvious that one thousand improvements each contributing a 1% gain in performance benefits as much as one improvement contributing a 1000% gain.

Of course, the 1000 improvements are often of far more significance, because they give more people a chance to feel ownership in the process, which then results in other benefits usually not counted in the analysis of benefits.

Good leaders must become enthusiastic cheerleaders for continuous improvement concepts, encouraging people to look around their workspaces with a new perspective, seeing opportunities previously invisible.

Leaders really need to ask questions about it, show interest, and create an expectation that this is what the organization needs and wants. We must encourage idea generation from the front lines.

Most people tend to underestimate their capabilities. Somewhere in our early learning, many of us failed to develop high levels of confidence in our ability to excel.

As children, we were imaginative and creative in our play, but as we aged and moved through our cultural system, we were generally encouraged to think and act more logically/conventionally and less imaginatively.

In school and business, off the wall and unique thinking was historically shunned. As a result, we tended to become more cautious when expressing ourselves, not wanting to expose ourselves to criticism, ridicule, or embarrassment.

This environmental conditioning towards conformity is a powerful driver of behavior that holds us back from reaching our full potential.

Since our business culture has tended to reward large ideas, many employees feel incapable of contributing to the organization's improvement process.

How many of us have an idea every few days that would save the organizations tens of thousands of dollars? This is where continuous improvement adds value.

By changing the focus to small, daily improvements, confidence in one's ability to contribute is raised.

As improvements begin to flow, confidence will build and the process will feed on itself. 

Establishing a culture that expects continuous improvement at every level throughout your team and rewards it at every level can lead to significant gains throughout the organization.

Call Professional Teambuilding at 1-800-446-4742 and find out more about how our corporate teambuilding and motivational programs can help you build a more satisfied, motivated and productive workforce.

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