With Thanksgiving just past and the rest of the holiday season ahead of us, this is an ideal time for thoughtful leaders to show their gratitude not just for what their employees do, but for what they are capable of doing beyond the limitations of their “job boxes.”

Just as the first Thanksgiving celebrated the collective efforts of an entire community to strive for a better life, companies need to recognize the power of engaging their entire workforce in a mutual effort to always become better than before. 

Getting the most from that extra effort takes more than just getting the job done. More than the well-intentioned, but fruitless open-door policy. More than fleeting awards and incentive programs. More than gym memberships, free food and pizza Fridays.

There’s nothing wrong with most of those activities, but for sustained, superior performance that keeps companies ahead of the competition, it takes more.

By implementing structured routines for continuous improvement, companies can leverage the untapped wealth of knowledge and experience their employees have to offer. Beyond the impact it can have on team performance, improvement processes also help to foster a greater sense of ownership and pride in people's work.

This holiday season, let’s reimagine the possibilities and deepen our appreciation for the insights and innovations that can flourish when employees are immersed in an idea-generating culture. It will acknowledge that every employee was meant for more, and it will show how grateful we are for all they do and how committed we are to helping them realize their full potential.

6-Week Program for Systematic Continuous Improvement

“Great is the enemy of better”

Tell Us Your Stories!

If you have a story that illustrates the power and potential of employees engaged in continuous improvement, we’d love to hear it – and share it with our readers.