By Eric Whitley – Productivity, Inc.
Q.: What key activity continues to be undervalued when implementing improvement efforts?
A.: Leadership.
Generally, organizations introduce lean and continuous improvement initiatives with a somewhat clear understanding of the technical side of the equation, but the actions needed to sustainably lead the effort are consistently overlooked as a vital part of the plan.The role of leadership in that plan is really nothing new; examples are everywhere.
Some fundamental lessons can be found in history. Five foundational ones emerge from stories of leadership during key battles in two different American wars. And they all point to daily leadership behaviors that build the capability to move an organization over time, especially during adversity.