About seven years into our lean conversion, I was struck by the confidence radiating from our team members as I watched them coming and going during a shift change. It had not occurred to me that one of the most important outcomes of a culture of continuous improvement would be that not only would people learn to solve problems in their teams and find new and better ways to provide more value to their clients, but also their personal lives would thrive more than ever! Of course, that would happen! 

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Our people and our culture definitely grew up together. As I watched them continue to grow together over the next two decades, I often paused to contemplate the underlying forces that have made it all possible. Every chapter of this book reinforced and added to my thinking on this subject.

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Every year, the O.C. Tanner Institute publishes new data on workplace culture in our Global Culture Report. A couple of years ago, there was impressive data on Psychological Safety and Autonomy that reinforces and amplifies these authors’ statement that “thriving individuals have high levels of psychological well-being, thereby unleashing psychological capacity to work on CI.”

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Similarly, giving employees high autonomy in their work comes with 94% engagement, compared with only 32% engagement with low autonomy. And those who report even a medium sense of autonomy show a 200% increase in psychological safety. Further, those who report a high sense of autonomy show a stunning 586% increase in psychological safety.

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Another powerful point in this book is that we all need to do a better job of seeking to understand and support each individual around us in their unique set of life experiences. “The workforce is made up of people with different backgrounds, circumstances, identities, and experiences.” I fully agree that it is never a “one size fits all.” 

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Recognition and appreciation are powerful tools for a company and must be leader-supported, but they are strongest when they are people-led. I know of no better way to help employees feel a sense of connection to each other and to feel like they belong to a larger whole. 

As you read this book, see if you do not come to believe that you have the capability (and the responsibility) to create a thriving culture of continuous improvement, where your people can grow and thrive.

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Website: O.C. Tanner