Do This and Lean Success Is Far More Likely

Getting started with continuous improvement is hard.  But, I think it’s safe to say that sustaining continuous improvement over the long run is even harder.

At Gemba Academy we mentor and coach hundreds of lean and six sigma practitioners on an ongoing basis.  As such, we’ve learned a few things about what works and what doesn’t work.  And over the last few months I’ve personally experimented, and seen massive success, with one simple method.

I use a scheduling tool called Calendly.  I simply share my Calendly link with the folks I coach.  This allows them to schedule 15 to 30 minute meetings with me.  I also encourage these folks to schedule meetings with me every week or every other week.

I’ve lost track of how many folks have told me how helpful these short meetings are.  They also mention that seeing that pending meeting on their calendar each week drives them to action since they don’t want to come onto our call with nothing to report.  Of course, if they have a tough week and don’t accomplish their continuous improvement goals my message is usually the same… “Today is a new day.  Let’s look forward and make things happen.”

So, if you coach or mentor people I’d encourage you to find a way to schedule regular meetings or coaching sessions.  I’d also encourage you to find a way to make these meetings official and planned.  Perhaps they are the same time and place every week.  Perhaps you use a tool like Calendly to get these sessions on calendars.  Whatever you do make the process intentional.  Don’t expect these things to happen on their own.  They won’t.

 

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