What are some effective ways to promote continuous improvement?

In occupational therapy we set SMART goals. This is the foundation of how we progress our clients to increased independence and improved quality of life. SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Sensitive. This is a fantastic model to follow which can be applied to teams, individuals, and communities.

In my experience, establishing a Culture of Continuous Improvement is the most important first step where team members are encouraged to identify areas for improvement and are empowered to suggest and implement changes. Leadership plays a crucial role in fostering a commitment to continuous improvement. When leaders prioritise and actively support the process, it sets the tone for the entire organisation. Using data and metrics is important, utilising data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the current state of processes and track the impact of changes. Data-driven insights help in making informed decisions. Rather than making large-scale changes at once, implement improvements experimentally on a small scale, adapt tech.

Encouraging a culture where learning and innovation are valued can foster continuous improvement. This can be achieved through training programs, workshops, and by providing resources for employees to develop new skills and ideas.

Yes this is a great tool. I also included routes targets. As the goal/ target is sometimes far, to keep everyone involved motivated and in check. Set shorter intervals for progress reports. It must not be tedious but a welcome chance to get help and recommendations. The sooner we see the challenge the quicker we can attempt to resolve it.

Before setting SMART goals, it is important for everyone associated to know 'Why are we doing it?' It can be quite compelling to get the team motivated throughout the journey.

There may be a point in the journey, where one may not know how to further improve. During these times, it is important to think deeper into the benefit and also understand if there are any competition or industry benchmarks to move forward.

A project is not over until feedback is solicited, especially with projects that will be repeated again. Consider HOW you want to receive feedback when planning for a project and determine WHEN you want to get the feedback. Teams move quickly so it is important to solicit feedback at the appropriate time, which is typically right as the project is wrapping up so relative information is still front of mind.

Being a life-long learner and having a growth mindset is crucial in expanding clinical and professional skills within healthcare. Taking advantage of continuing education units is a simple way to improve these skills. I personally encourage our team to participate in lunch-time courses together to facilitate discussion. I also welcome students of all levels and disciplines in our department for a bidirectional learning experience.

“Wednesday Wins” are a simple way for our therapists to reflect on the successes of the week. It boosts morale and encourages support within the team. We also have monthly performance-based raffles to motivate and reward staff for their efforts.

Uma prática excepcional que podemos adotar é a celebração de sucessos. Em minhas reuniões de resultados com a equipe, as chamo de "celebrações de conquistas". A ênfase não está nos problemas, mas sim nas realizações do período. Você poderia perguntar: "Levi, como então lidar com os problemas?" Posso assegurar que uma equipe que não se sente sob constante pressão pelo fracasso tem mais probabilidade de alcançar os resultados desejados.

Ask yourself: "If I had to do this 100 times, how could I make it effortless?" This perspective has been a game-changer. My approach is all about simplification and automation. Breake down processes, find the redundancies, and figure out how to automate them. That's how you scale improvements—bit by bit, making each step more efficient than the last. Take writing, for example. When I started, I constantly explored methods to streamline the process. Could I write 100 articles a day? It seemed daunting, but by continually experimenting with new tools, and reevaluating my strategies, I've made significant wins. Remember, it's about asking the right questions and being open to change. Start small, think big, and watch the magic happen.

Ask yourself: "If I had to do this 100 times, how could I make it effortless?" This perspective has been a game-changer. My approach is all about simplification and automation. Breake down processes, find the redundancies, and figure out how to automate them. That's how you scale improvements—bit by bit, making each step more efficient than the last. Take writing, for example. When I started, I constantly explored methods to streamline the process. Could I write 100 articles a day? It seemed daunting, but by continually experimenting with new tools, and reevaluating my strategies, I've made significant wins. Remember, it's about asking the right questions and being open to change. Start small, think big, and watch the magic happen.

Continuous Improvement, in my opinion, is a way of living. You cannot just do it for a project or for a company for a period of time; it's the way one lives. it includes personal life, one's self and one's job, so it should be turned into a culture, it should be embedded in the genes of the people. Asking all the time how things can be better is a particular mindset. Better can mean many things depending on the context, eg more efficient, less costly, faster, tastier, cleaner...

In my journey, I've learned that driving continuous improvement melds strategic thinking with a deep commitment to my team's growth. It's about keeping KPI targets adaptable, aligning them with our ever-changing performance. A leadership style rooted in actively seeking and valuing feedback has been key to our collective growth. Giving team members meaningful responsibilities has lifted not just their spirits but their productivity too. Our training approach, blending diverse skills across the team, has unlocked fantastic collaboration and skill development. This method has enhanced our KPIs, fostered an empowered culture, and consistently delivered a solid ROI.

I like to ask the question, "Are we happy with how things are currently? If not, what are we changing?" I find this question can be applied to most business problems and drives conversation about how to improve. Furthermore, the use of "we" shows a need for a team effort to make improvements, not just for one person to change.