One of our VOS core principles is Leadership Engagement. Active participation and support from leaders to drive the culture of continuous improvement, setting clear goals, providing resources, and inspiring employees to embrace change is critical.
The first step to improvement is realizing and admitting that improvement is possible. This demands a sense of humility. Leaders must be willing to seek input, listen, and learn. When we lead with humility, there is correlation between engagement and improvements. Our VOS Leadership Fundamentals outline the key elements that our leaders must encompass to drive operational excellence.
Seek Perfection
While perfection is an unattainable goal, relentlessly pursuing it creates the environment for a culture of operational excellence. Notions of what is possible can alter points of view and therefore the opportunity to improve is unlimited.
Focus on Process
While it is common to blame people when something goes wrong, the problem is usually related to a failed process design, never the person doing the work.
Assure Quality at the Source
Excellence can only be achieved when every element of work is performed correctly the first time.
Flow & Pull Value
Maximizing customer value means creating it in response to demand and maintaining an uninterrupted flow. When the flow is disrupted, waste is produced and opportunities for error increase.
Think Systemically
Processes are interrelated and the most challenging problems often occur when work these processes are not understood.
Create Value for the Customer
Only the customer defines value by conveying what they want and for what they are willing to pay. Therefore, long-term success is achieved when we deliver customer value effectively and efficiently, consistently.
Reduce Top-Down Thinking
Front-line employees are empowered to recognize and respond to interruptions in the flow of value. The upper levels of the hierarchy exist to manage the organization’s strategic direction and provide the resources employees need to succeed in a constant feedback loop.
Implement Standard Work
Without a standard, there can be no improvement. Everyone will do things differently, affecting a consistent result. Standard work is also essential for consistency and reliability.
Align Objectives and Accountability
Part of strategy deployment within our operational excellence program is ensuring that everyone knows how to best contribute to achieving the most important goals. Performance evaluation is based in part on engagement and improvements.