Can leadership be taught? Yes, argue the authors of this article, who outline a program designed to help organizations' leaders refine their skills. They stress that only by radically changing the way leaders think and behave will they be able to ensure the effective implementation of productivity- and quality-enhancement techniques that lead to continuous improvement. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Since 1776, Americans have proved time and again that whether they are in the military, industry, athletics, or the public sector they can work for the common good if there is a leader on hand who can create an effective challenge and vision for the future; ensure an understanding by all of the strategic and tactical action plans necessary to move towards it; provide guaranteed structured opportunities for all members to influence the decision process and improve work processes; and generate a sustained commitment from all managers to help their team members be successful. The employees of Northwest Airlines Maintenance Overhaul Facility in Atlanta, composed of numerous different cultures resulting from 1980 mergers, demonstrated from 1986 through 1989 that continuous improvement can be achieved through hard work, mutual respect, and a determination to become the best. Their non‐cookbook approach to the continuous improvement process was developed with the active participation and involvement of the rank and file, and has inspired to many who have visited their facility over the past three years.