Embracing Failure: Insights Into Continuous Improvement
Continuous improvement (CI) is the backbone of sustainable success. It’s what keeps us innovating, streamlining and staying ahead of the curve in our industries. But let’s be honest, the journey to excellence is more like a rollercoaster ride than a smooth sailing on calm seas! As someone who’s navigated the trenches of various organisations, I’ve experienced first-hand the exhilarating highs of progress and the gut-wrenching lows of setbacks. But it’s not about avoiding falls, it’s about learning to bounce back stronger each time, armed with valuable lessons that propel us forward like a well-executed slingshot manoeuvre around Saturn on NASA’s 1980 Voyager mission to reach Jupiter (if you know, you know).
One major stumbling block we often encounter is the lack of unwavering leadership commitment. Without leaders fully invested in CI, initiatives are like ships without captains, directionless and vulnerable to storms and pirates (I made up the pirate bit). It’s not just about talking the talk, it’s about leaders rolling up their sleeves and walking the walk, embedding a culture of CI into the very fabric of the organisation. It takes time and persistence, but it is totally worth it!
Then there’s the elephant in the room, resistance to change. Change can be as uncomfortable as breaking in a new pair of shoes – it’s unfamiliar, and it might pinch a little at first (just like the ones we buy just before attending a wedding. Totally overlooking the fact, we will be wearing these shoes for twelve hours!). Studies have shown that a staggering 73% of employees see resistance as the biggest obstacle to change initiatives. Fear of the unknown and a longing for the comfort of the status quo can create formidable barriers to progress.
But that’s only one piece of the puzzle, clear communication and adequate resources are like oxygen for CI efforts. Without them, our initiatives are like fish out of water – gasping for air and struggling to survive. I’ve seen first-hand how ineffective communication and scarce resources can breed confusion and apathy among employees, derailing even the most well-intentioned efforts. There is no substitute for honesty, transparency and authenticity.
Setting clear objectives and identifying metrics is crucial too. We need a roadmap to guide us through the twists and turns of the improvement journey. SMART objectives aren’t just a buzz words that we roll out once a year during an appraisal, they’re our North Star, keeping us on course and showing us how far we’ve come.
But let’s not forget the human side of the equation. Recognising when things aren’t going as planned is can be challenging to admit, but is an important milestone in the journey. Stagnant metrics and disengaged employees are like red flags waving in the wind, they demand our attention and prompt us to take action. It’s about being proactive in assessing our CI initiatives, involving people, people that are impacted by CI at every step of the way, and being open to feedback and being agile enough for some course correction. I often joke that a CI roadmap is like a Mother’s Day card, you write it as you’re going. What I really mean by this is that we often know our starting point, and our largely our destination, but the route to it is undefined and unknown. We uncover the best route along the way, as we overcome obstacles and barriers that we come across.
And finally, let’s talk about the power of a learning culture. Celebrating wins and learning from losses keeps the fire of improvement burning bright. It’s about embracing a culture where failure is seen not as a setback but as an opportunity for growth and innovation.
The journey to excellence is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about embracing the highs and lows, learning from our experiences, and always striving to be better than we were yesterday. And remember, it’s not about reaching the finish line, it’s about enjoying the journey and the growth it brings along the way.
Did you find this interesting? Is there a spark of interest in exploring continuous improvement methods that will provide growth for you and your organisation? I offer a number of certificated learning opportunities, workshops, on site, virtual or self-guided e-learning though the Ever-So-Lean Learning Series.
To learn more about how I can support you on this journey and more, visit www.eversolean.com or email me matt@eversolean.com. Let’s connect and explore how we can work together to create a brighter future.
