This week, I had the privilege of spending valuable time meeting with partners, members and collaborators in Charlotte, NC. While I was there, a remarkable moment unfolded – a group of Buddhist monks, accompanied by their rescue “peace” dog Aloka, passed through on their Walk for Peace.
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Their mission is a living example of presence, reflection and the daily practice of building a better world. As I followed their progress, I couldn’t help but see a connection between their journey and the values we uphold at AME.
AME’s vision is a manufacturing renaissance driven by people-centric leadership (PCL) coupled with enterprise excellence. It is a significant responsibility to create a people-centered cultural environment where people can realize their gifts, develop and apply their talents, and feel a genuine sense of fulfillment for their contributions in pursuit of a common purpose.
Just as continuous improvement in manufacturing is not a one-time event but a sustained, disciplined process, the monks’ walk is a step-by-step commitment to a vision that requires this same patience, resilience and unwavering focus.
In manufacturing, we talk about kaizen – the small, consistent actions that lead to significant transformation over time. The monks embody this principle in motion. Each mile they walk is a small act, but together, those miles create a powerful statement about peace, unity and human connection.
Their journey reminds us that excellence is not only about efficiency and innovation. It is also about purpose, values and the positive impact we have on the communities we serve.
AME has several upcoming PCL-focused events, including:
- Sustaining employee engagement: How to ensure your employees are healthy, happy and productive – January 22
- People development in daily work – January 23
- …and many more available on our events events web page
And don’t forget the AME Portland 2026 Lean Summit, taking place February 25–26, where we will explore foundations for the future through workshops and tours. You won’t want to miss it.
At AME, we believe that every step toward excellence is also a step toward peace, purpose and human-centered leadership.
As always, please stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
