ISO Start with WHY: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
Author: Danielle Tan (Managing Director)
The one question that I have always asked my clients is “Why do you want to implement an ISO management system in your company?”
Over the years after completing hundreds of ISO consultancy projects, these are the answers I have got from clients:
- For improvement, we want to do better (most of them answered this!).
- Because my customers want me to.
- Because I have to (e.g. to meet project tender requirements, government enforcement, statutory and regulatory requirements etc.).
- Because my boss wants me to, etc.
But what is truly your purpose of doing ISO? What is the big WHY behind all of the above answers? Why is finding and understanding the WHY is so important? The answer is pretty simple, because the WHY is your purpose, it is the reasons that drive your ISO implementation and motivations in things you do. The WHY gives us the meaning of our beliefs (beliefs in leadership, product quality, customer services etc.).
So, knowing the WHY is key, knowing the WHY is about knowing your PURPOSE and MEANING of doing ISO.
The Golden Circle by Simon Sinek
Why = The Purpose
What is the purpose behind your ISO system? What is your belief? Example: We believe in challenging ourselves to do better every day.
How = The Process
Specific action to realize the why. Example: We design processes that are efficient and deliver measurable results that enable us to review and improve.
What = The Results
What do you do? The results of why/ proof. Example: Policies, KPIs, SOPs
The next ISO project that you do, start with WHY. Inspire and motivate people in the organization with the purpose of doing ISO.
Source: www.fsis.usda.gov
