Throughout my career, other lean practitioners, leaders, and organizations I observed have opened my eyes to new ideas, methods and tools. Going to the gemba and hearing others’ experiences have been transformative for how I learn and grow.
Before becoming AME’s president and CEO, I was a member like many of you. At AME events and in Target articles, I’d often hear the mantra, “Share, Learn and Grow.” I’ve been reflecting on why those three words make the community we all inhabit so important.
Each of those words is vital to the continuous improvement process. On the micro level, in your departments, facilities and organizations, knowledge sharing should be prevalent so that everyone is on the same page. When people share, learn and grow in an organization, operations hum, the company fulfills its mission and prospers, and individuals feel a sense of purpose and joy.
On the macro level in the AME member community and larger lean community, I have always been inspired by practitioners’ willingness to share ideas and information so that others may learn and grow. So often those doing the sharing also learn and grow in the process because feedback and questions they hear allow them to see things in a new light.
As you may know, “Share, Learn and Grow” isn’t just a mantra for AME. It is also part of our mission “to inspire a commitment to enterprise excellence through experiential learning by bringing people together to share, learn and grow.” Thank you for being part of this journey and for embracing this mindset. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect you to greater knowledge, a rich network and a larger purpose.
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I have been discussing the optimism and hope of spring in recent messages. With the spring season comes several holidays that bring families and faith communities together. For those who celebrate, AME wishes you a happy Easter, Holi, Ramadan or Passover. The close timing of these four holidays is a reminder of our diverse lean community and the importance of celebration and tradition.
As always, please stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
