Continuous improvement is a cycle, not an event. When it works, it becomes a normal part of how teams operate.

A simple cycle

• Plan: Choose one priority and define success.

• Do: Trial the smallest action worth testing.

• Study: Review evidence and implementation.

• Act: Adjust, scale, or stop.

Two leadership habits that sustain the cycle

• Keep priorities few and visible.

• Stop work that no longer serves the priorities.

A leadership warning
When every initiative is a priority, none is.

Key Takeaways

• Improvement is sustained through cycles and review points.

• Scaling should follow evidence, not enthusiasm.

• Stopping work is a leadership responsibility.

Quick Check

Name one thing your team should stop doing to protect focus.