LEAN Secrets E-Course: Lesson Three   "The CONTEXT Creation System"   Welcome to the Lean Secrets E-course Lesson Number Three. This lesson supports track number three on DVD #1 - "Context"   You have heard me say this before ...   LEAN / Six Sigma CONTENT is not enough   A solid, supportive CONTEXT is the "Secret" to successful LEAN / Six Sigma projects. What is this "CONTEXT" I keep stressing ? CONTEXT is your ability to create an Environment that promotes success for the team. CONTEXT is all those little things you do to. - Keep the energy high - Keep the team engaged in the LEAN / Six Sigma process - Lead Effective and Efficient meetings every time - Maintain Momentum between meetings - And keep the Focus on the Team itself so they're actively doing the work and involved in the process. The LEAN / Six Sigma process is the CONTENT of your meetings   CONTEXT is how You and the Team approach the individual tasks   The Whitewater Rafting Guide In the DVD's and workbook we talk about CONTEXT being like Whitewater rafting. You are the Guide up on the frame steering the boat. It's your job to make sure everyone is safe, and you know what's coming down the river. It's your job to create the CONTEXT/Environment that keeps everybody participating in in the boat. The challenge here is that you're also a CONTENT expert.   You have a specific and detailed knowledge in the LEAN / Six Sigma process. It would be very easy to concentrate 100% of your attention on the technical aspects of LEAN / Six Sigma. This is a classic, team leadership mistake. We have all suffered through boring meetings lead by CONTENT Experts. Struggling to stay awake. Wondering why you are even there. Don't let this be you! Your success hinges on the balanced deployment of your LEAN / Six Sigma skills and the CONTEXT skills you'll learn here in "LEAN Facilitation SECRETS". And we've made it simple with our four-part CONTEXT Creation System. As you review this the video, and the Raft Drawing you see that the four components are. - Roles - Relationships - Structures - Energy And Each of them are Equally Important. The key to this Lesson Number Three is that you understand the difference between CONTEXT and CONTENT. And that you understand that they are equally important to LEAN / Six Sigma success. As I've said before, our "LEAN Facilitation SECRETS" course restores "Balance to the Force". I know you've received quality education on the technical aspects of LEAN / Six Sigma. Now it's time to start your CONTEXT expert educational process. It's time to learn the People Skills for great LEAN events.   Let me end this last lesson by asking you to reflect.   Think back ... to the last well-run meeting you attended...   What was it about that meeting that made it work? Think back ... to that person in your past, who has a reputation for running great meetings every time. That person in your past you enjoyed working for... you enjoyed being a member of their team with them as the leader.   What was it about them that made you feel this way? Their skill - and your good feeling about them - probably have little to do with their technical abilities ... with their technical knowledge. They may very well have been a CONTENT Expert, however, that's not the skill set they use to run great meetings or be a great team leader. Now you are (or soon will be) that person standing at the front of the room. Now it's time to establish your reputation as a quality meeting and team leader. CONTEXT is the Key. Get ready to become a CONTEXT Expert ! That's it for Lesson Number Three.   Watch for Lesson Number Four of the Lean Secrets E-course in about four days. Next time I will go into detail on the "Structures" component of CONTEXT and the meeting elements we call "The Five Pillars".   In the meantime, get out there and facilitate ...     Here's to your success,   Peg Peg Drummond CEO, Superteams.com