Skill 10: Quality Control

This article series explores each of the Top 10 Skills of 2023 identified by the World Economic Forum, offering a roadmap to make them accessible to every individual. In this article, we will delve into the tenth skill, “Quality Control”. For information on the eighth skill, please refer to Leadership and social influence.

Techopedia defines leadership as:

“The focus of quality control is to ensure that the product and product manufacturing are not only consistent but also in line with customer requirements.”

We should truly focus on being accountable, disciplined, excellent, analytical, and detached.

It is noteworthy that in such a crucial list, a seemingly commonplace aspect of the “production” or “service provision” process is highlighted. Evident skills and knowledge are required to meet quality control standards and stay on the right side of litigation. Perhaps this is so significant because we live in a “fast food” world, where swift delivery often takes precedence over the pursuit of perfection, an undeniable reality!

Much like attention to detail, an underlying attitude underpins this skill and must be developed before any training can be implemented or a manual followed. Despite the myriad courses available for learning how to ensure quality and set up the correct processes, none of this will have an impact unless the individual feels accountable for the outcome and possesses the innate discipline to flawlessly follow procedures.

Striving for excellence is an “emotional” quality. Realistically, an individual capable of ensuring “quality control” also requires acumen. They must be able to analyse processes to find efficiencies and, at times, detach themselves from the passion and desire for excellence to allow something to be dispatched.

What feels like a management process is so much more when you consider the person can deliver on the demands of such a role.

How to encourage employees to be accountable, disciplined, excellent, analytical, and detached? It is easy to believe that you cannot teach accountability and discipline. However, there are behaviours that individuals can experiment with in the workplace that could help them develop the necessary habits.

Creating a culture where people feel free to push the boundaries of what it means to be excellent and feel accountable for the outcomes requires effort. Employers want their employees to feel the impact when something goes wrong and desire the employee to strive for excellence, even if it means stretching too far. Therefore, for people managers within any company, the trick is to create a culture where experimentation and reflection, followed by proactive intervention, are celebrated.

Conclusion

• Quality control is an attitude, as well as a set of skills;
• Being accountable and disciplined, balanced against a desire to be excellent, are the core qualities required;
• Creating a learning culture of experimentation and a constant drive for the better option is a route to quality control.

Written by: Ederson Corbari