Checklists: A Simple Tool with Complex Benefits
4. Serve as a "cognitive net." They catch mental flaws inherent in all of us—flaws of memory, attention and thoroughness.
5. Serve as a great training tool to help ensure people are completing tasks correctly.
For me the bottom line is that checklists can help eliminate "stupid" mistakes. In some fields like medical, aviation and construction these avoidable mistakes have not only cost organizations millions of dollars, they have also cost people their lives. In our industry normally lives are not at stake, but service to our customers, avoiding risk, making money for our shareholders and creating a high-performance culture for our employees are all on the line.
Wes Friesen is a proven leader and developer of high performing teams and has extensive experience in both the corporate and non-profit worlds. A former in-plant manager, he is also an award-winning university instructor and speaker, and is the president of Solomon Training and Development, which provides leadership, management and team building training. His book, Your Team Can Soar! contains 42 valuable lessons that will inspire you, and give you practical pointers to help you—and your team—soar to new heights of performance. Your Team Can Soar! can be ordered from Xulonpress.com/bookstore or wesfriesen.com. Wes can be contacted at wesmfriesen@gmail.com.
