Here’s a litmus test from the book Learning in Action, by David Garvin, to see if your company is committed to continuous improvement. (Don’t worry, if you aren’t ready yet, we have a leadership development program that can help. It’s called PowerTraining, and is available at www.powerwithinus.com.) You can also download a free leadership training eBook here. Anyway, here’s the short test:
Does your company encourage and support learning?
Companies that are trying to continually improve have a clear picture of their knowledge requirements. They know what they need to know, whether the subject is customers, competitors, markets, technologies or production processes. And they are actively pursuing the desired information. Even in industries that are changing rapidly, like telecommunications, broad areas of needed learning can usually be mapped with some precision. Once subjects are identified, they are pursued for understanding.Is your company open to contrary information?
In other words, “don’t shoot the messenger.” Employees should be encouraged, not discouraged, to let managers know what is working and what is not. The same can be said of customers and their feedback. In order to grow, a company has to know what the problems are so they can be fixed.How does your company handle mistakes?
Continuously-improving companies reflect on past experience and use this information to make decisions. They share the information so everyone can learn. They learn from mistakes. They know that managers must accept mistakes the first time around so they are not repeated.Does your company lose critical knowledge when key people leave?
If a key employee leaves your company would her information leave with her? This happens all too often. Crucial information should never be locked in the head of only one person. Learning organizations document and share essential knowledge through training manuals, formal policies, and stated procedures. This way knowledge becomes common property and is a shared asset.Does your company act on current information?
Companies that are continuously improving take advantage of learning. They are open to new ideas, experiments, and adaptation.Free Leadership Training eBook
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