These are the Skills You Need as Improvement Professionals

This comprehensive overview highlights the key topics covered in the webinar titled "Improvement Facilitation and Coaching: An Open Forum", emphasizing the importance of executive sponsorship, clear targets, effective facilitation techniques, leadership development, and ongoing learning and collaboration.

How were these key topics selected?  A large group of improvement professionals from various countries provided questions, and Karen Martin (from TKMG) selected the most relevant that need to be addressed in the improvement coaching and management communities.

Facilitating Out-of-the-Box Thinking:

• Executive sponsorship is highlighted as a catalyst for encouraging innovative thinking.
• Clear problem definition and measurable targets are essential for guiding teams towards bold improvements. (Learn about Project Initiation)
• Setting appropriate targets inspires teams to think beyond conventional solutions.
• The facilitator shares strategies for gradually guiding teams towards bolder thinking, including gradual exposure to improvement concepts and setting achievable challenges.

Effective Facilitation Techniques:

• The facilitator shares a structured approach to facilitating out-of-the-box thinking, emphasizing the importance of executive sponsorship and clear targets.
• The "Catch ball" technique and "Plan-Do-Study-Adjust (PDSA)" cycles are recommended for strategy deployment and continuous improvement.
• Facilitators are advised to focus on incremental progress and encourage participation from all team members.
• Strategies for managing analysis paralysis and fear of failure are discussed to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Learn more about Facilitation.

Leadership Development:

• The facilitator emphasizes the importance of leadership training and coaching in promoting lean methodologies.
• Leadership teams are encouraged to undergo lean indoctrination to familiarize themselves with improvement principles.
• Coaching and mentorship play a crucial role in shifting organizational thinking towards long-term benefits and sustainable improvement practices.
• Learn about Situational Leadership Development.

Effective Team Management:

• The importance of team size and composition is discussed, with smaller teams favored for efficient decision-making and consensus-building.
• Team leaders are recommended to possess strong project management skills and authority within the organization.
• Separating team leaders from direct involvement in the process is suggested to maintain objectivity and facilitate unbiased decision-making.
• Learn about facilitating Kaizens.

Course Forward:

• The webinar concludes with a call for ongoing dialogue and collaboration in the improvement and coaching communities.
• Attendees are encouraged to continue exploring improvement methodologies and sharing their insights with peers.

Source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_7AkO3kAfA&list=PLyVgVZd7jUlrAwzxca3m8pzo6Z3Y1KejV&index=80&t=3893s