A few days ago I got into a discussion with a colleague about how to gain engagement for a Continuous Improvement (CI) project from someone who is less than enthusiastic about CI. While we discussed several ways to attempt forced participation (i.e. as part of their annual performance management plan), it became apparent that a carrot works much better than a stick.
While there are several ways to encourage CI involvement, a positive result is always a good way to help reduce resistance. This can often be demonstrated through the use of quick wins. Many times during a project, a team identifies one or more aspects of the problem under study that can be addressed and corrected quickly. Often these quick wins, identified as actions that require little if any approval, are referred to as “just do it.” Even quick wins performed in other departments can often motivate participation in CI activities.
Another technique that can be used to motivate CI participation is the use of process mapping. By engaging several members of a group or department, it is possible to develop one or more process maps of the activities in that area. Throughout this exercise, areas of potential improvement can be identified and provoke CI engagement.
While it is generally easy to obtain CI participation from early adopters, not everyone is guaranteed to be enthusiastic about the cultural change involved in an effective CI implementation. Activities such as quick wins and process mapping can help encourage CI participation and help gain program acceptance throughout the company.
How are you helping your employees to work smarter by reducing the amount of time they spend on non-productive activities? If your business processes need a “check-up,” please email me at michael@leadingchangeforgood.com! I’d love to help you get back to a healthy, productive workplace!
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