The role of leadership in quality management can’t be overstated. Good leadership forms the backbone of any improvement strategy.
Effective leadership sets clear objectives and helps employees to implement these. It creates unified purpose and direction.
It builds and maintains the right internal environment – one where every employee is motivated and equipped to help achieve the organization’s quality goals.
Without steady leadership, a company’s QMS is rudderless and, ultimately, likely to be ineffective.
This infographic helps summarize the importance and qualities of excellent leadership. Click to enlarge.
11 tips to improve leadership in quality management
Below, we offer eleven practical tips on improving quality management in your organization through effective leadership.
Be proactive and lead through example
Rather than just barking out orders, true leaders lead by example.
They proactively implement and follow through on actions, rather than simply dictating actions without providing a good example.
Understand and react to external influences
The external environment is every bit as important as the internal environment.
Good leaders need to be aware of external factors that could affect the company’s internal QMS and react accordingly. These influences could be anything from a new supplier to changes in legislation.
Consider the wants of all stakeholders
All the parties involved in or effected by a QMS, from customers to owners, employees, suppliers and the general public, form a vital part of the quality management process.
They can greatly affect the organization’s success if there is no relationship and understanding from a leadership point of view.
Establish a clear view of the organization’s prospects
Nothing is static in business. A good leader must have a clear view of the organization’s future so they can accurately plan ahead.
Leaders may even need to continuously change goals and milestones. These changes will inform your overall QMS, as quality objectives shift.
Establish common values as an ethical role model
Leaders instill a sense of values and ethics that are entrenched in the organization’s mission statement.
They act as role models to inspire employees to be a proactive part of quality management initiatives based on these common values.
Develop trust and eradicate fear
A well-run company uses effective leadership to develop trust with both employees and external stake holders, without the need to use fear as a motivating factor.
Establishing trust with your team also motivates a proactive approach to quality management.
Give employees the freedom to strive for accountability
With the right resources and training employees at all levels of the company can understand and meet the organization’s goals.
This way everyone can be involved in improving quality across the board and there will be no blind spots.
Recognize contributions from all levels of employees
Recognizing and acknowledging contributions from staff at all levels is important.
This can motivate your team to be more involved and invested in quality management initiatives. It also gives insight into their understanding of the overall QMS.
Foster open and honest communication
Effective communication is essential for all levels within the organization to work together to implement improvement strategies. Fostering open communication from all employees is the role of a good leader.
A centralized quality management system plays a vital role in effective communication too.
Teach, train, and coach employees
Continuous learning and coaching on improvement initiatives can help employees support these initiatives more effectively.
It can also motivate employees, helping them understand how the work they do contributes to better quality and overall success.
Develop challenging objectives and targets
Leaders can foster constant growth and development across the organization by continually improving the standards of QMS goals within each department.
With feedback from your team and data from your QMS, you can also establish if your objectives and goals are realistic and effective.
Moving quality management and leadership forward
Implementing clear initiatives and strategies will help leaders to bring their quality management goals into fruition.
Once realistic and well understood goals have been set, implementing these goals in quality management campaigns across the organization becomes much easier.
Our quality management software helps leaders establish direction for their organizations and get their employees involved in achieving its goals.
Contact us to find out more about how our leading QMS software can support the role of leadership in quality management or opt for a 60-day free trial of our full software suite.
