As a thought leader, author, educator, and change leadership practitioner, I write a weekly article that benefits leaders who want to improve their organizations significantly.
One of the elements of the Recognized Expert course by Dorie Clark is to find your breakthrough idea. The intent is to find that niche where you can provide something of value to others in a manner where you can Stand Out from the crowd, which is the title of her book on the topic. If you Google the words "Recognized Expert," her name is the one that emerges in the majority of the results. One of many outstanding outcomes that prove that her approach can lead to considerable success for those who adopt her advice.
We'll talk about cultivating an expert niche - a narrow specialty that can provide a crucial toehold - and about the power of independent research. – Dorie Clark
I began with the idea of helping any company become more sustainable. I sold it as two elements of sustainability. The first is what some describe as People-Planet-Profit and others as the Triple-Bottom-Line. The second is an opportunity to create company longevity. Given the growing focus on companies looking to become more environmentally and socially responsible, I felt it could be a breakthrough idea. However, it quickly became evident that I could not stand out with this version of my breakthrough idea.
The process of further refining my breakthrough idea was to narrow the sustainability focus to the manufacturing industry. Before I transitioned to becoming a business professor, I spent nearly thirty years in increasing roles of responsibility in engineering and plant management. An aspect of that work was lean manufacturing with a focus on waste reduction, an element of sustainability. I then built on the original 4 Ms by top Japanese quality guru Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa of man, machine, method, and materials. I eventually reached a list of 17 M's by introducing sustainability elements to include Mother Nature. I may go back to that idea at some point, but it did not resonate with me at that time.
Writing a book is an aspect of becoming a recognized expert for many who complete Clark's course. I have been drawn to strategy and change management my entire career. In research on the evolving elements of exemplary manufacturing, there are many books on employee well-being, change management, coaching, leadership, management, manufacturing processes, organizational development, stakeholder theory, strategic management, sustainability, etc. I saw a need for a book that laid out a framework that could shape the unique requirements for completing a significant manufacturing operation transformation for those in the early phases or those further down the path that could enhance the great work their organization was already doing. An A-to-Z, in-depth approach to facilitating a transition to a purposeful human-centered approach that is humanist manufacturing.
One of the elements of the Recognized Experts course by Dorie Clark is to find your breakthrough idea. The process of further refining my breakthrough idea was to narrow the sustainability focus to the manufacturing industry. Further evolution led to the development of an A-to-Z, in-depth approach to facilitating a purposeful human-centered approach that is humanist manufacturing.
Individuals interested in taking their career to the next level can explore the work of Dorie Clark. She has a wide selection of course offerings and books, and the New York Times states that she is "An expert on self-reinvention and helping others to change their lives." Are you in need of a self-reinvention?
I am deeply grateful for Dorie Clark's impact on my life. As I continue my self-reinvention, I have found a sense of purpose that had been missing throughout my career. My only regret is that I did not learn about her work twenty years ago.
Next week's blog will introduce an overview of humanist manufacturing.
To learn more about our work or read more blog posts, visit emmanuelstratgicsustainability.com.
I encourage you to read my book Humanist Manufacturing: A Humanitarian Approach to Excellence in High-Impact Plant Operations. The paperback and eBook versions are now available at Amazon and many other booksellers. You can also view the Humanist Manufacturing Book Launch to gain additional insight into the Humanist Manufacturing framework.
If you like what you have read, I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn.
Contact me if you need help with the manufacturing support services of consulting, coaching, or training/reskilling in change leadership, strategy, tactical planning, and change management by calling me at 734-664-9076.
See my virtual TEDx videos at Reinventing the Prison Industrial Complex and Humanist Manufacturing.
You can sign up for my newsletter or email me at Contact Me.
