Most managers are taught how to be a manager, but leadership, especially in a continuous improvement environment, requires a different approach. The reason most continuous improvement efforts don't achieve their full potential is because those in leadership roles haven't had the opportunity to fully explore what are some of the best ways to actually lead in a continuous improvement environment. After years of implementing change management and continuous improvement efforts, I have developed a straight forward approach to help managers be more effective leaders in a continuous improvement environment. I call it "The 7 Essential Skills of Leadership." With these seven skills, you can become a true continuous improvement leader and drive improvements in your organization that become permanent and change your organization's culture for the better.