DECADES back, I learned from my many experiments that people get excited when I gave them many interesting common-sense solutions to every problem that was not even recognized a problem before. For example, when the operations manager of a multinational factory started a 5S program, I told them to include a clean-as-you-go policy in the cafeteria, toilet and all common areas, purposely to reduce their costs.

Some managers raised hell. But they stopped when the chief executive officer (CEO) backed me up. Even today, I use 5S and the clean-as-you-go policy to prove my point. Now, explore this illustration in a hypothetical training room. Can you improve the situation?