As I reflect on all the wonders of 2024, I am more excited than ever for 2025. We have a talented and influential new AME Board of Directors, which I will be announcing next week. Additionally, get excited for the rollout of AME 2.0, coming soon. This will be a truly transformational year, and I am so grateful for all of you.
Whether you are a board member, volunteer, coach, active member or passive member, you all contribute so much to our AME community. We would love for you to become even more involved this year. You can volunteer – dip your toe, wade in or even deep dive! We are also looking for practitioners to join our AME Regional Boards.
The other day, a friend asked about the difference between practitioners, consultants and a new term I learned – principled peers.
Practitioners are the bones of AME. They are the individuals who actively engage in the practice of a particular profession, skill or activity. They are the doers – the ones on the ground doing all the important work.
Practitioners imagined and built AME and continue to improve us every day. Year after year, continuous improvement practitioners return to the AME International Conference to share and learn from others in the thick of their own enterprise excellence journey. Conference participants count on AME to deliver leading-edge examples and practitioner-based ideas that fit their needs. They know they’re in good company with those who have walked the same path they are travelling, and they share proven know-how guidance to help organizations improve and prosper.
Consultants are independent specialists who provide expertise, advice and external perspectives. They help us address specific challenges or seize opportunities by offering focused expertise and objective perspectives. Our consultants are diverse experts, and many come from our practitioner base. They provide much-needed subject matter expertise to our community.
Principled peers can also be consultants – however, they are those who walk beside us, grounded in shared values and integrity. They challenge us to hold ourselves accountable, not only to work toward our goals but also to adhere to the principles that guide our actions. These individuals inspire trust and respect diverse perspectives but remain steadfast in their commitment to doing what is right. They provide feedback rooted in care and mutual respect. They tell us what we need to hear, not what we want to hear. They operate from a shared value perspective and encourage mutual growth. Peers challenge us to stay true to our principles and grow holistically.
AME values our practitioners, consultants and principled peers. The real strength comes in recognizing when we need the steadfast partnership of principled peers and when the specialized guidance of consultants is essential.
As we move forward, let us embrace the insights and strengths that practitioners, principled peers and consultants bring to our lives. Together, they help us navigate complexity with clarity, purpose and effectiveness. Thank you for your dedication and the role you play in this journey. Through this dynamic balance, we achieve both personal fulfillment and collective success.
If you want to start 2025 with exciting learning opportunities, AME is offering the Goldratt (The Goal) Theory of Constraints flow solutions: Your path to operational excellence in Cleveland, Ohio on January 21 and January 28, 2025. And how about starting your year off earning your yellow belt certification while you’re at it? The online course Lean Boot Camp: Lean yellow belt certification (2-half days) is offered on January 23-24 and February 20-21. Both are filling up fast. Sign up now to secure your spot!
Finally, the AME Home Team sends our love, thoughts and prayers to all our members and friends experiencing devastation, fear and loss from the California wildfires. With multiple ferocious fires burning in the Los Angeles area, the Palisades Fire is one of the most destructive wildfires in LA history.
You can stay aware and up to date on California’s fires here. If you feel inspired to give, you can donate to incredible programs like the California Fire Foundation to help provide immediate relief to the survivors and communities affected.
Here’s to a prosperous and rewarding 2025 filled with health, happiness and success. As always, please stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
