Early this summer, one of my children came up with the idea that it was time for a well-earned holiday. He dreamt of exotic beaches and distant lands, with a long-haul flight being inevitable. Not so strange, you might think. Nowadays, the youth hops smoothly from one country to another, taking the plane like we used to take the train. But in this situation, it was not as obvious as you might think. This is because my son has ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and a fear of flying, which made the idea unfeasible at first sight. After some searching on the airline’s website, we discovered that we could request special assistance. To cut a long story short, my son was allowed to stay in the lounge until 45 minutes before departure, was escorted to his seat on the plane and – by wearing a green ribbon – he could be easily recognised by airport staff should anything go wrong. This is a great example of visual management and demonstrates the power of simple solutions to create an inclusive and supportive environment.
Visual management, such as the use of a green lanyard with the sunflowers (Hidden Disabilities Sunflower), ensures that people with hidden disabilities get the help and support they need without feeling uncomfortable or stigmatised.
It is a reminder that inclusivity starts with understanding and small adjustments. Through simple visual aids, we can improve communication and streamline processes, allowing everyone, regardless of their limitations, to have a positive experience. This fits seamlessly with the principles of Lean Management. At Insightful.be, we apply these principles in our trainings and coachings. Our customised training courses and workshops are designed to increase efficiency and effectiveness by streamlining processes and improving communication. Just as the green lanyard in the airport is a simple but effective solution, we believe in implementing practical and visual tools to help organisations achieve their goals.
Here are five practical tips to apply visual management:
- Use colour coding: Introduce colour coding for different tasks or areas within your organisation to quickly differentiate and prioritise.
- Make use of visual aids: Whiteboards, kanban boards, and infographics can help present information clearly and conveniently.
- Introduce symbols and pictograms: Simple symbols and pictograms can quickly communicate important information, especially in busy or noisy environments.
- Implement clear signage: Make sure signage and instructions are clear and visible, so that everyone knows where to go and what to do.
- Create visual work standards: Visualise work processes and standards through posters or manuals that are easy to refer to in the workplace.
My son ended up having a pleasant plane ride thanks to this extra help and enjoyed his holiday immensely. Together, let’s strive for more inclusive and supportive environments in our daily lives and work so that everyone can enjoy themselves at all times.
Want to know more about our approach and how we can support your organisation? Visit us at Insightful.be and discover our workshops and trainings.