Who is inspiring whom?

Yesterday I visited the Learning and Development Centre on a huge manufacturing site owned and operated by a global leader in their field of heavy engineering.

I was taken on a tour of the company’s Heritage Centre by a retired member of staff with more passion for his work and team than the average England footballer (and being paid far less – volunteering in fact). I learned that the company was so committed to innovation that in the early 70′s its wholehearted commitment to solving a certain, “impossible” engineering problem and its failure to do so within the necessary timeframe led to it going into receivership (it is back out and it has solved the problem long ago). I learned that its engines powered the Spitfire 60 years ago and power you and me as we fly today.

I learned about the contribution that its research and daring is making to environmentally sustainable travel. I learned about its commitment to the recruitment, training and support of apprentices of all ages and its commitment to and investment in life long learning and world class leadership talent. I learned about the extraordinary level of thought and innovation that goes into making travellers safe at 30,000 feet. I learned about resilience in the face of tough and complex engineering and commercial challenges and repeated victory in these situations after long periods of head-scratching in the face of seemingly impossible odds.

I learned, above all of that, the professionalism, discipline and pursuit of excellence that go on behind the scenes to make the words “Rolls Royce” a by-word for quality of the highest level and the attitudes that have sustained that reputation for over 100 years.

And the point of this blog? I was reminded, in this digitally obsessed age, to remember the inspiring role of engineers and manufacturers that underpins so much of our daily lives. I want to pass that thought on and to ask what lessons we can each draw from the world of the engineers. Personally, I was struck that Rules 2 and 9 were in daily use in this corner of Derby – and had been for a century before I included them in the Ten Rules.

I was invited to Derby to inspire a division. They inspired me back. My thanks to all at Rolls Royce.

Jim.

Click on the image to view the Rule 2 video.

Click on the image to view the Rule 9 video.