Hello!?…Communication is the Key to LEAN!

As the key communication point person between the Howard Team Members and our customers, vendors, and business acquaintances, Michelle knows the value of the communication process. Remembering our initial LUNCH & LEARN nearly a year ago, Michelle took the positive SPEAR acronym:

**(Sincerity, Patience, Empathy, Appreciation, Respect)**

and offered the other side of the SPEAR acronym…things we want to stay away from:

**(Sarcasm, Pessimism, Enmity, Arrogance, Rejection)**

After all, LEAN is about successful communication as much as it is about anything else. Michelle read Paul Aker’s book Lean Health where he states, “The customer is not a part of our business, the customer IS our business…if you treat the customer wrong, they’ll go elsewhere”. Without sugar-coating it, being fake, or compromising our own integrity, shouldn’t we treat our colleagues and co-workers with the same esteem? Positive communication equates to encouraging more successful LEAN initiatives and results. Being part of the Howard Team means we, ourselves, have a responsibility to communicate effectively and efficiently.

To do this, we offer reassurance, putting others first, and practicing that Golden Rule. For example, cleaning up after ourselves, being efficient with paperwork, congratulating another’s accomplishment or simply telling someone “nice job”. This recognition adds the “spring” in someone’s step, inspires that individual to be engaged at a higher level, more proactive in our LEAN thinking, and more responsible for the well being of the organization.

This is a LEAN initiative to strengthen communication, share positive thoughts, and keep PEOPLE first, thus, in turn, driving continued success.