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Welcome to Business Process Improvement Critical Leadership Qualities
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A company’s success depends on its leader’s ability to improve its business processes. The leader must be able to identify areas of improvement, develop plans to address those areas, and execute the plans effectively.
There are several critical qualities that a leader must possess to be successful at business process improvement. First, the leader must have a clear vision for the company and where it needs to go. Without a clear vision, it will be challenging to identify areas of improvement and develop effective plans.
Second, the leader must communicate the vision clearly to others in the organization. If the vision is not communicated effectively, it will be difficult for others to understand what needs to be done and why it is essential.
Third, the leader must be able to inspire others to buy into the vision and work towards achieving it.
Before creating and implementing a solution, it is beneficial to cover some soft skills and leadership qualities essential for a Process Improvement Initiative to succeed.
So far, we have analyzed and documented the processes, but if this step is not considered, unfortunately, that is as far as a project may go. In DMAIC terms, we have completed the Define & measure steps but still must complete the analysis, implementation, and control steps.
Table of Contents
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Welcome to Business Process Improvement Critical Leadership Qualities
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Business Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Who Wants to Change?
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Business Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- How to Lead an Improvement Initiative
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Business Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
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Business Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Perspective
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Business Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Lead by Example
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Business Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Active Listening
Business Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Who Wants to Change?
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An organization’s ability to improve its processes depends on the quality of its leadership. The best leaders are those who are willing to change themselves first. They see the need for improvement and are willing to take risks to make it happen. They also dare to face opposition and have the perseverance to keep going when things get tough. These leaders inspire others to follow their example and make changes too. As a result, the whole organization benefits from better processes and improved performance.
When it comes to business process improvement, leadership qualities are essential for those who want to enact change. After all, it takes a strong leader to overcome resistance, rally others to a common cause and ultimately see the implementation of new ideas through to completion.
But what specific qualities does a leader need to be successful at driving business process improvement? First and foremost, they must be able to communicate effectively and inspire others to follow their lead. They must also be able to think strategically, identify opportunities for improvement and develop detailed plans for implementing change.
Finally, a successful business process improvement leader must be able to execute their plans flawlessly. This means having the project management skills necessary to keep projects on track and ensuring that all team members are aligned with the initiative’s goals.
The cartoon above brings a little bit of humor to change management. Often, employees and process owners know that a process could be improved. Still, many people are intimidated and hesitant to change something they are comfortable with compared to something new and different.
The key is understanding and addressing your employees’ and teammates’ feelings. This section will learn the critical components of effective change management.
Business Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- How to Lead an Improvement Initiative
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Regarding business process improvement, certain leadership qualities are essential for leading a successful initiative. Here are four key qualities that every business process improvement leader should possess:
1. Passion: A true leader is passionate about what they do and believes in the cause wholeheartedly. This passion is contagious and will inspire others to buy into the initiative.
2. Drive: A successful business process improvement leader is driven to see the initiative through to completion, no matter how challenging it may be. They have a can-do attitude and refuse to give up.
3. Communication: Communication is crucial for a business process improvement leader. They need to be able to articulate the vision for the initiative and rally others around it.
When it comes to business process improvement, leadership is key. Without strong leadership, an improvement initiative is likely to fail. So, what qualities make a good leader in this arena?
First and foremost, a good business process improvement leader is someone passionate about making things better. They are constantly looking for ways to streamline processes and make them more efficient. They are also willing to take risks and experiment with new ideas.
Another vital quality of a good business process improvement leader is excellent communication skills. They need to clearly articulate the initiative’s goals and get buy-in from all stakeholders. They also need to be able to keep everyone on track by providing regular updates and soliciting feedback.
Finally, a good business process improvement leader is someone who knows how to delegate tasks and build teams.
When you want to lead an improvement initiative, there are four main steps that you should take.
First, focus on a problem that everyone can easily understand and see. This problem should impact several business areas people are eager to see fixed.
1. Focus on addressing an apparent, shared business frustration.
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Second, you want to create a team of people from different business areas. Having a diverse group will allow you to benefit from a variety of perspectives and will help you sell the solution. When people feel no us vs. them, they buy into the change management initiative. Taking actions that will not push people into passive resistance, deception, and dissent is critical.
2. Engage cross-functional teams formed of employees from across various specializations.
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Third, create an environment where your people feel empowered to achieve. This should involve trusting people and not micromanaging how the problem is solved. Let people be free to work creatively, and you will be pleasantly surprised.
3. Challenge and empower the team to achieve the goals set forth.
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Fourth, be authentic in what you do. Be honest with your people and state that a complex problem affects the business. Describe what you think the future could look like if your team is successful and relate it to growing professionally.
4. Lead in an authentic, direct, and matter-of-fact way to connect personally and practically to your future vision.
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Business Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
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An effective business process improvement leader must be an excellent communicator. They must be able to communicate the vision for change to their team and gain buy-in from all members. They must also be able to effectively communicate progress and setbacks to upper management.
An effective leader will also have excellent listening skills. They will be able to hear the concerns of their team and address them in a way that is both respectful and productive. A good leader will also be able to take feedback from their team and use it to improve the process.
Finally, an effective leader will be able to build relationships with all members of their team. They will create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. This type of positive environment is essential for a successful business process improvement initiative.
It is vital to add more detail about the importance of communication.
There is a great quote that I like by James Humes and would be helpful to include here that goes, “The art of communication is the language of leadership.” It helps drive home the importance of this lesson.
When you are communicating with others about process improvements, you will find it helpful to articulate the concerns of those who resist change that you might have picked up on. It would help if you planned to combat the negative aspects of implementing improvements from the point of view of your audience. You can reflect on their concerns in some way, such as:
· “I know that change is scary,”
· “Change will take time and effort,” or
· “With any change comes disruptions of our regular routines,” and be sincere about it.
It would help if you addressed these emotions so that your team feels like you are one of them. You want to foster collaboration, and building empathy should be a focus.
It would help to address the possible consequences of not improving your audience. Depending on your situation, these consequences can be from mild to severe, and it’s important to share these potential problems from your audience’s point of view. You want to create a sense of urgency that fuels your effort.
Third, seek to bring excitement to your team by explaining the future possibilities. Articulate your vision and goals and what help you will need from your audience to get from here to there. Find ways to link what your people want in their lives and careers to the company’s goals.
Finally, describe the transition plan you have developed to support the current and future state. Don’t undersell the effort and risks but be open and honest about what it will take to succeed. Your communication efforts with your team should help them feel that continuous improvement is something you do WITH people, not something you do TO them.
Finally, it’s essential to do everything you can not be seen as a jerk. No one will work for this type of person.
Business Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Perspective
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The phrase “business process improvement” (BPI) is used quite frequently in today’s business world. It is a term that describes the systematic application of management techniques to improve efficiency and effectiveness in organizations.
There are many different approaches to BPI, but all share some standard features. These include the identification of opportunities for improvement, the development of plans to address those opportunities, the implementation of those plans, and the monitoring of results.
Leadership is a critical component of successful BPI initiatives. Leaders must have the vision and commitment to see opportunities for improvement and then mobilize resources to make those improvements happen. They must also communicate effectively with all stakeholders involved in the initiative, including employees, customers, and suppliers.
You will aid your business process improvement initiative by learning about the qualities of an effective change leader. We will cover the three essential attributes: perspective, respect, and demonstrating active learning.
Having an open perspective is an essential collaborative trait. Perspective means having the ability to see things from different points of view. As you have learned by now, Business Process Improvement is a collaborative team effort, so you need to master the skills that lead to a high-functioning team.
There are several ways that you can learn to increase your perspective:
· One thing that you can do is ask questions well. More specifically, ask open-ended questions that lead to a sharing of knowledge.
· You will want to maintain an open mind about the evaluation process, the people operating in the process, and your team members.
· Don’t assume that you have all the answers and that other” opinions don’t count.
Embracing this attitude of seeing others’ views as valuable will sow the seeds for successful brainstorming sessions. A second goal of asking questions is to gather additional facts and ideas, which you will use to validate and adjust your perspective.
Your purpose should facilitate and guide your team towards achieving its objective. Leadership is not about doing the tasks for them; it is about developing their process knowledge and leadership skills and setting the stage so that the best perspectives will emerge and lead to a better solution.
Business Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Lead by Example
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Leaders must possess certain qualities to lead a successful business process improvement initiative. First and foremost, leaders must be able to lead by example. This means they must be willing to put in the hard work and dedication required to see the initiative through. Furthermore, they must be able to inspire and motivate others to do the same. Lastly, leaders must effectively communicate their vision for the initiative and ensure that all team members are on the same page. By possessing these qualities, leaders can set their initiatives up for success.
The second quality of a process leader is respect.
Respect is earned and is essential to your team, seeing you as a competent leader. There are a few things that you can do to foster this image:
1. Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Get your hands dirty.
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Do the work and know your trade. You don’t have to be the most advanced technician on the team, but you must have an in-depth understanding of your industry and your business. Leaders have many responsibilities, but it is vital to work alongside your team. This is a great way to build trust and develop your knowledge and skills.
2. Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Listen to the team.
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As leaders, sometimes we are so consumed with providing directives, giving orders, and talking that we forget to stop and listen. If the recruitment and training engine is functioning well, you should have a whole team of experts to turn to for advice. One sign of good leadership is that you don’t know everything. Listen and get feedback from your team regularly.
3. Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Take responsibility.
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As the saying goes, it’s lonely at the top. Great leaders know when to accept that mistakes have been made and take it upon themselves to fix them. It doesn’t matter if one of your team members messed up or you did. If you are the leader, you need to take responsibility. Your team members will never forget when you take the hits for them.
4. Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Let the team do their thing.
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Stop micromanaging. Communicate the mission, vision, values, and goals. Then step back and let the team innovate. Setting this example for the team will encourage your other managers to do the same.
You will also earn respect from your team by being humble. While many would prefer a humble leader to recognize the potential in their colleagues, peers, and subordinates, there is also a desire to have a confident and strong leader who conveys an ability to truly ‘lead’ an organization to success.
In the case of a person leading an improvement team, be confident and knowledgeable enough to show your team without alienating them by acting like you are above them based on your knowledge, terminology, and skills.
Business Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Active Listening
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To be an effective leader in business process improvement, one must first be an active listener. This means being fully present and engaged when others are speaking and taking the time to understand what they are saying truly. It also involves paying attention to nonverbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions.
Leaders who actively listen create an environment where people feel heard and valued. This, in turn, fosters open communication and collaboration. Active listening also allows leaders to gather important information that can be used to improve processes and make better decisions.
Some essential qualities of active listening include being patient, respectful, and open-minded. Leaders who demonstrate these qualities will be more successful in driving change within their organizations.
The 3rd skill to cover is active listening.
Learning to interpret and understand non-verbal communications, seeking and clarifying what you heard, and engaging in an exchange of information is the foundation of active listening. It means you hear more than what another person or group verbally says.
While you may feel that your training and experience with process improvement establishes you as the expert, it does not mean that you are a subject matter expert in the process being evaluated and improved.
To become more effective in active listening, you can take the following steps:
1. Repeat back what you hear in a conversation to fully comprehend and confirm the message you think the other person is trying to get across. It is important to remember that you do not need to repeat what was said to you word for word. Instead, look to summarize it in comfortable terms within the conversation.
2. It would help if you also learned to pay attention to non-verbal cues and verbal communication. There have been several studies produced that have shown that the most significant percentage of information is communicated using non-verbal means.
The people you will be working with not only have more in-depth knowledge regarding the process or processes being evaluated; they also possess a lot of valuable information regarding the organization. Their experience and longevity will be precious, and, in most cases, they are willing to share all that they know with you if you take the time to listen to what they say.
There are some vital non-verbal Signs that someone is either engaging or not engaging in Active Listening that you need to be aware of.
1. Critical Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Smile
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Small smiles can show that the listener is paying attention to what is being said, agreeing, or is happy about the received messages. With nods of the head, smiles can be powerful in affirming that messages are being listened to and understood.
2. Critical Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Eye Contact
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It is normal and usually encouraging for the listener to look at the speaker. Eye contact can, however, be intimidating, especially for more shy speakers – gauge how much eye contact is appropriate for any given situation. Combine eye contact with smiles and other non-verbal messages to encourage the speaker.
3. Critical Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Posture
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Posture can tell a lot about the sender and receiver in interpersonal interactions. The attentive listener tends to lean slightly forward or sideways while sitting. Other signs of active listening may include a slight slant or resting the head on the one hand.
4. Critical Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Mirroring
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Automatic reflection/mirroring of the speaker’s facial expressions can indicate attentive listening. These thoughtful expressions can help show sympathy and empathy in more emotional situations. Attempting to consciously mimic facial expressions (i.e., not automatic reflection of expressions) can be a sign of inattention.
5. Critical Process Improvement Leadership Qualities- Distraction
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Therefore, the active listener will not be distracted and will refrain from fidgeting, looking at a clock or watch, doodling, playing with their hair, or picking their fingernails.
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