15 qualities of a continuous improvement leader

1. Explain why Kaizen (Continuous Improvement) is important
2. Empower team members, but be a facilitator to plan their macro activities
3. Demonstrate himself in Kaizen event as active participant
4. Ask for Kaizen (Continuous Improvement) ideas and opportunities
5. Emphasize small but creative ideas
6. Ask for more than just cost savings like people engagement, value enhancement, customer satisfaction, etc.
7. Look at the improvement in process or system instead of blaming people
8. Don’t hide ideas (be transparent) with team
9. Quickly respond to every idea
10. Turn “bad ideas” into better ideas. Even turn complaints into ideas
11. Coach, but don’t find fault. Help people see the bigger picture
12. Create time for people who have to take action
13. Don’t forget the sustainment at the end of improvement cycle
14. Give people recognition for ideas (effort, not just results)
15. Compile the results and celebrate them