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News, articles, books, podcasts, and videos about how to make the workplace better.
Operational Excellence, Improvement, and Innovation
Standardizing Across The Organization
Most organizations claim to value consistency, and operational excellence experts understand that standardization is essential for driving improvement. However, anyone who has attempted large-scale standardization knows just how challenging it can be–especially in today's fast-paced, highly complex organizational environments. According to Jamie Flinchbaugh, the real key lies in fostering a culture that embraces the benefits of standardization.
Chick-Fil-A Isn't Just Winging It
Truly observing a process is harder than it seems. We're often too close to it, bringing our own biases that cloud our understanding. Gaining real insight requires distance, fresh perspectives, and objectivity. That's why Chick-fil-A uses cameras and drones–to take a step back, analyze operations with a clear eye, and continuously improve both processes and working conditions.
Don't Get Surgery On A Friday
When it comes to standardization, identifying the root causes of variation is essential for achieving consistency and driving improvement. In healthcare, this challenge is particularly complex, as numerous factors can influence patient outcomes–including something as simple as the day of the week. A large study conducted in Canada and the U.S. found that patients who undergo surgery just before the weekend face a higher risk of complications, largely driven by the variation in staff experience and availability of services.
Bad Process Defeats Fancy Tech Every Time
Why do leaders keep slapping fancy tech onto broken processes like a Band-Aid on a bullet wound? No clue–but they do it anyway. Don't fall for the shiny-object syndrome. Fix your processes first, then bring in the tech. Otherwise, you're just automating chaos.
Creating a Culture of Improvement
Silos–they're great for building expertise, but terrible for fostering cross-functional accountability and problem-solving. Before you start tearing them down, it's important to understand the types of silos you're dealing with:
- Systemic silos: Departments that put their own goals ahead of the organization's larger objectives.
- Elitist silos: Teams that see themselves as the “chosen ones” and operate from a place of superiority.
- Protectionist silos: Groups that withhold information to maintain power, status, or control.
Some organizations? They've got all three. 😬
Want to learn how to break these down? Check out the full breakdown on the 3 Types of Silos That Stifle Collaboration–and how to dismantle them.
Does AI-Teamwork Makes the Product Design Dream Work?
When it comes to innovation, cross-functional teams usually outperform lone wolves. But what if you gave hundreds of Procter & Gamble product designers their own GenAI “teammates” for a one-day virtual design sprint? The results were surprising–individuals using AI performed just as well as teams and even created more balanced designs than those working solo without AI. Maybe GenAI is the secret to collaboration without the endless meetings and mountains of sticky notes.
When Psychological Safety Has a Seat on the Board
The benefits of psychological safety in workplace teams have been widely discussed over the past five years–but what about Boards of Directors? These leaders make some of the most critical decisions, yet the same principles apply.
However, can there be too much psychological safety? Board directors suggest that while a culture of trust is essential, it must be balanced with individual accountability to drive effective decision-making.
Coaching – Developing Self & Others
Decisive or Doubtful? Why the Best Leaders Are the Ones Who Question Everything
We've all heard the old-school belief that “decisive” leaders make the best managers–they look confident, sound smart, and seem to have it all figured out. And let's be honest, we've also seen plenty of these so-called decisive leaders climb the ladder, even when their decisions are awful and they have no real expertise. But research tells a different story: ambivalent leaders–those who embrace nuance and listen more–actually drive better outcomes. Turns out, questioning yourself beats confidently charging off a cliff.
Getting Unstuck
Whether you're writing, tackling a tough problem, or just trying to get started, we all hit roadblocks. Even coaching expert Michael Bungay Stanier (MBS) faces moments of being stuck. He uses Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies deck to use prompts to help break through the mental fog and regain momentum.
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