The Power of Discovery: Lessons from Columbus Day

On the second Monday of every October, the United States observes Columbus Day — a holiday rooted in the voyages of Christopher Columbus, who in 1492 set out across an uncharted ocean and sighted land after two grueling months at sea. While his journey is remembered in classrooms as the one that “sailed the ocean blue” aboard the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María, the real legacy worth honoring lies in the spirit of discovery his voyage represents.

From its earliest observances, Columbus Day was about more than the man himself. In October 1892, President Benjamin Harrison proclaimed the first “Discovery Day,” asking Americans to “cease from toil” and honor both the achievements of exploration and the opportunities it had unlocked. The celebrations of that era recognized a uniquely American spirit — one of risk-taking, pioneerism, and relentless improvement. It was the same mindset that transformed a sparsely populated wilderness into a thriving, ever-evolving nation.

That spirit is just as relevant today in our workplaces as it was on the high seas in 1492. In Lean manufacturing, discovery is the act of finding something new — or uncovering something long present but previously unseen. It is about asking questions that challenge the status quo, provoke thought, and push us deeper into the “why” behind our processes.

Thinking is not driven by answers but by questions. Answers often bring thought to a halt; only when an answer sparks another question does true thinking — and improvement — continue. Deep, purposeful questions help us navigate complexity, clarify our objectives, and evaluate the quality of the information we rely on.

In this way, Lean improvement mirrors exploration:

• Questioning is our compass. Asking “Why?” multiple times digs to the root causes of problems.
• Risk-taking fuels progress. Just as Columbus ventured into the unknown, organizations must step beyond familiar routines to uncover better ways of working.
• Learning drives advancement. Every discovery should lead to shared knowledge, so improvements ripple across the organization.

Without questioning, there is no discovery. Without discovery, there is no improvement.

So, this Columbus Day, consider honoring that legacy not just with a history lesson, but by reigniting the spirit of exploration in your own sphere. Take the time to discover — your company, your employees, your processes, your problems, and your customers. Embrace curiosity. Encourage bold questions. Chart the course for improvements that will move you, your team, and your organization forward.

After all, Lean success, like great voyages, begins with the courage to set sail toward the unknown.