Lean Quote: Don't Watch the Clock; Do What it Does. Keep Going

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going."   —  Sam Levenson   

Time is the one thing that everybody on this planet has in common. This quote offers a powerful reminder: stop stressing about the passage of time, and focus on steady, consistent progress. Just like the clock ticks forward without pause, we too can keep moving, even when things feel slow or challenging. If you are struggling, keep going, if things are great, keep going, the clock will never stop and neither should you.

Determine one thing that you have put off because you told yourself you don’t have time and get going on it right away.  Sleep a little less, be more efficient, say no to something else, but stop using time as an excuse.  We all have the same amount of it, the only variable is your ability to master it.

When faced with adversity, it is easy to become disheartened and lose sight of our goals. But by staying committed, resilient, and dedicated to our aspirations, we can overcome any obstacle that stands in our path.

Consistency is key in any endeavor we undertake. It is the act of repeatedly showing up and putting in the effort, even when the results may not be immediate or apparent. Just as the clock continues ticking, we too must persistently work towards our goals, regardless of external circumstances or setbacks. Consistency builds discipline, strengthens our resolve, and ultimately propels us towards success.

"Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going," serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of persistence and perseverance in achieving success. By shifting our focus away from the passing time and aligning our actions with the clock's constant movement, we can harness its energy to propel us forward. Embracing patience, consistency, and resilience we can overcome challenges, stay committed to our goals, and ultimately achieve the success we desire. So, let us heed Levenson's wise words and continue to move forward, unwavering in our pursuit of greatness.

Lean Quote: Acknowledge The Importance of Other People

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated."   —  William James - American Philosopher & Psychologist   

If you want your employees to be happy and productive, you need to give them recognition for a job well done and let them know their work is appreciated and important. In a workplace committed to creating an attitude of gratitude and employee recognition on a daily basis all employees are engaged.

Research has shown that recognition and appreciation is the top driver of employee engagement. Perhaps it seems elementary, but if you want employees who are fully engaged, you need to ensure they are recognized when they do great work and that they know you appreciate their contributions to the organization. Motivated employees do a better job of serving customers well. Happy customers buy more products and are committed to using your services. More customers buying more products and services increases your company's profitability and success.

Showing appreciation to employees begins with simple acts. The impact of recognition magnifies when it carries a personal touch. Personalized recognition speaks directly to the individual, acknowledging their unique contributions and qualities. This customization can transform a generic gesture into a powerful message of appreciation, making the recipient feel singularly valued. The goal is that employees realize the thanks and appreciation are genuine and know that their employers are paying attention to their individual work and efforts. This also serves as a positive reinforcement of the employees’ specific work behaviors.

Other ways for employers to show appreciation to employees are: recognizing an employee’s good work in a meeting; planning periodic social activities (e.g., ordering in lunch, a holiday party); and providing training/progression/promotion opportunities. Employers may also consider implementing formal reward and recognition programs to facilitate sustained employee appreciation. Thoughtfully designed awards that incorporate elements that reflect the recipient’s achievements and personality resonate on a deeper level. They become not just tokens of appreciation but cherished symbols of a moment in time when their efforts were recognized and celebrated.

There are numerous other ways for employers to demonstrate their appreciation to employees, ranging from low-cost actions (i.e., formal employee recognition letters) to those actions and programs that have a more significant financial impact on the organizations (i.e., annual bonus programs).

Regardless of the method used to show appreciation, employers should remember that to positively impact employee engagement, motivation, productivity and retention, the “thanks-giving” should be regular, timely, sincere, applied equally and consistently throughout the organization, and tied to employee performance.

Lean Quote: Enthusiasm is One of those Rare Highly Desired Qualities that’s so Contagious Once Found

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"Enthusiasm is by far the highest paid quality on earth, probably because it is one of the rarest; yet it is one of the most contagious."   —  Frank Bettger - Self Help Author   

A positive and enthusiastic attitude is a critical component of workplace success. Passion is the driving force that enables people to attain far more than they ever imagined.

There are people who manage to remain consistently happy and engaged in their careers, and they’re usually the ones who stay at the top of their professional game. They motivate themselves to meet each challenge and approach every project with a high level of integrity, enthusiasm and professionalism. Their positive attitude and resilience distinguishes them as top performers in their companies.

Here are some suggestions for regaining your enthusiasm:

Whenever possible, focus on what you love. There are probably parts of your job that you like better than others. One easy way to revitalize your enthusiasm is to approach your manager with a number of ways you could spend more time on those activities that interest and challenge you and, alternately, find methods to minimize the frustration and boredom you associate with the less appealing ones.

Take responsibility for your own advancement. If you want to be satisfied with your work, you need to continuously improve your skill set and grow in different directions. It’s the only way you’ll really feel challenged over the long term. But don’t wait for your manager to come up with professional development opportunities for you. Remember, it’s your job to guide your career into new territory.

That means always keeping an eye out for ways to expand your knowledge and skills, especially in areas that will enhance your long-term career prospects, and then approaching your boss about any learning opportunities you want to engage in.

Get outside of your comfort zone. It’s easy to get in a rut at work, completing the same tasks over and over again. It may feel safe, but eventually, it’s going to get dull. Don’t let a sense of apprehension hold you back from trying something new and daring at work. If you start to fear failure, remember that taking risks – such as making a presentation, leading a high-profile project or finding a more efficient way for your department to operate – can often help advance your career, if you’re successful.

Maintain work/life control. Peak performers tend to be steady and centered. They can be passionate without being control freaks, on top of things without seeming obsessive. They typically have one thing in common: a healthy balance between their personal and professional life.

Enthusiasm is literally the fuel that propels you toward success. Passion allows you to think, feel, focus, act, attract and create the events’ conditions and circumstances that you most desire to see you through difficult times. Enthusiasm is what propels you to begin taking the necessary action steps that will allow you to begin changing your current situation.

Lean Quote: Liberty is the Breath of Life to Nations and Businesses

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"Liberty is the breath of life to nations."   —  George Bernard Shaw   

George Bernard Shaw famously emphasized that liberty entails responsibility, highlighting that the freedom to act also carries the burden of consequence. He believed that most people dread this aspect of liberty, as it demands accountability for their choices. 

This quote emphasizes the importance of freedom and liberty, key themes of the holiday, and extends to the business world, where a culture of freedom and empowerment can be crucial for success. Liberty’s impact on business includes: 

• Empowerment and autonomy: When leaders foster an environment of freedom within their organizations, it empowers individuals at all levels to take initiative, make decisions, and contribute meaningfully. 
• Increased innovation and adaptability: Independent leaders who are free to make decisions based on their insights and experience can drive innovation and adaptability, which are crucial for success in dynamic industries. 
• Enhanced creativity and job satisfaction: When employees feel trusted and valued, they are more likely to be creative and satisfied with their work. 

• Improved performance and engagement: Research suggests that moral leadership, which promotes freedom from unnecessary constraints and the freedom to act in alignment with shared values, correlates with increased employee engagement and productivity.  

To foster workplace freedom and liberty, leaders can implement several strategies:  

• Reduce Bureaucracy: Review and streamline policies to eliminate unnecessary rules that hinder productivity. 
• Encourage Open Dialogue: Create safe channels for employees to voice concerns without fear of retaliation. 
• Empower Decision-Making: Trust employees with autonomy in their roles, minimizing micromanagement. 

• Foster Collaboration: Encourage communication and collaboration across departments to break silos. 

By embracing liberty and freedom in the workplace, businesses can cultivate a culture of trust, innovation, and engagement, contributing to growth and success. 

Lean Quote: A Relentless Bias for Action Pushes Ideas Forward

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done."   —  Bruce Lee   

Perfection is futile.  To be sure, perfection is the goal but it can not be achieved in one single initiative.

If we all waited for perfection, we'd still be reading by candlelight and riding horses to work. The problem in the real world is that nothing is perfect. It sounds obvious, but it is not quite as obvious.

It doesn’t matter how much you learn if you don’t take action. Don’t get caught up in analysis paralysis. The best way to learn is by doing and to embrace failure—it’s the stepping stone to success for all successful people and their long-term goals.

Often managers spot a chance to do something valuable for their company, but for some reason, they cannot get started. Even if they begin the project, they give up when they see the first big hurdle. The inability to take purposeful action seems to be pervasive across companies. Managers tend to ignore or postpone dealing with crucial issues which require reflection, systematic planning, creative thinking, and above all, time.

For leaders, action is one of the most important traits they can embody. Taking action means getting things done.  It means seizing the initiative.  It conveys momentum, and energy, and creating something new, something that didn’t exist before.  And this excites followers and others who understand that going towards something is always better than sitting around staring at the wall. Everyday actions don’t have to be big. You simply need to take one small step in the right direction.

A relentless bias for action pushes ideas forward. Most ideas come and go while the matter of follow-up is left to chance. That’s why the first step in creating a successful culture of execution is creating a bias toward action. People who make things happen need to be praised and rewarded. People who don’t should be coached to change, or weeded out. Failure cannot be unduly punished. Unless people feel free to make mistakes, they will not feel free to take bold actions.

Lean Quote: Courage in a Leader Inspires Commitment from Employees

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others."   —  Robert Louis Stevenson   

Leadership takes making bold and often unpopular decisions. Effective leadership requires courage - to stand up for what is right, for what we believe in, and to take the necessary risks to be innovative and creative.

The courage of true leadership is revealed while still standing in the midst of controversy and challenging circumstances. It is relatively easy and requires little effort to stay in your comfort zone or to do what is convenient. Courage is not required to stay comfortable. Leaders need essential people skills to get people to work together smoothly even if some compromise may be needed. However, it also takes courage to make a stand on what you believe to be right.

When things are difficult, unknown, and perhaps unattainable we may turn the other direction. We must find the inner strength to overcome these perceived barriers. History has proven time after time that the power of a thought is the beginning for actions that will alter the future positively. Understanding this, and having the courage to keep going even in the face of all obstacles, allows us to accomplish anything we want.

Recognizing these truths about courage will assist you in overcoming any challenge that you face:

1. Courage Begins with an Inward Battle - Courage isn't an absence of fear. It's doing what you are afraid to do. It's having the power to let go of the familiar and forge ahead into new territory.

2. Courage Is Making Things Right, Not Just Smoothing Them Over - Courage deals with principle, not perception. It's knowing when to stand up and having the conviction to do so.

3. Courage in a Leader Inspires Commitment from Followers - A show of courage by any person encourages others. But a show of courage by a leader inspires. It makes people want to follow them.

4. Your Life Expands in Proportion to Your Courage - Fear limits a leader. But courage has the opposite effect. Courage not only gives you a good beginning, but it also provides a better future.

Courage means trusting yourself to overcome your fears and doing what you are afraid to do. Courage increases conviction and inspires others to confront their fears.

Lean Quote: Good Leaders vs Great Leaders

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"Good leaders build products. Great leaders build cultures. Good leaders deliver results. Great leaders develop people. Good leaders have vision. Great leaders have values. Good leaders are role models at work. Great leaders are role models in life."   —  Adam Grant   

What differentiates a great leader from good leader?

Great leaders are not just ‘better’ than good leaders. They are a class apart. They inspire to learn and grow, spread positive energy, uproot complacency, and can turn an unproductive group into a blooming one with their effective and powerful personality.

Being a good leader requires you to have your own set of qualities that give you the ‘good’ title.

Good leaders often work toward protecting the current state of affairs. They keep the good ideas going, work around them, and witness gradual growth.

Great leaders, on the other hand, are game-changers. They innovate, generate ideas of their own, and make them work.

You will be lucky to work with great leaders as they motivate you to become one. Talking about the differences, the following are the stark differences between a good and great leader:

Good Leaders Tell You What They Can Do and Great Leaders Make You Realize What You Can Do

Great leaders have magnetic personalities. They make you feel better about yourself, and who does not like to be accompanied by people of this nature?

Leaders who impress you with their capabilities and knowledge are good. The ones who have the ability to make you feel better are considered to be great.

Good Leaders Will Have the Right Attitude, and Great Leaders Make Friends

A good leader comes out to be bigger than life, having huge responsibilities and a different lifestyle.

On the other hand, you will be able to relate to a great leader. They will be someone you can trust and call your friend and do not show the difference between themselves and you, and they work towards diminishing the gap between them and their team.

Good Leaders Say, Great Leaders Make You Believe

Good leaders will tell you that you are doing great, and a great one will appreciate you and motivate you to do even better.

There is no learning limit with great leaders. They are focused on your growth, learning, and efficiency, along with the company’s targets.

Actions of trust and respect by a great leader make people feel included and important.

A great leader goes beyond just managing the team—they inspire, motivate, and create a high-performance culture that drives lasting success.