BIG Thinking: From Small Knight Lessons to Big Organizational Impact
Overview
Breakthrough results happen when leaders intentionally create environments where insight, ownership, and disciplined thinking thrive. This interactive session introduces BIG Thinking, a practical leadership framework grounded in the 3 Cs: courage, curiosity, and critical thinking. Participants will explore how to create the conditions for consistent “AHA!” moments by fostering psychological safety, expanding possibility thinking and grounding decisions in truth. Attendees will gain practical strategies to develop more BIG thinkers across their organizations and elevate continuous improvement from tool deployment to cultural transformation.
Host Company
The Big Thinking Box - It's a leadership and operational excellence development company founded by Allison DeVries. The organization focuses on helping leaders and teams create environments where courage, curiosity, and critical thinking drive sustainable results. Through books, workshops, and facilitation experiences, we support manufacturing and operational leaders in developing stronger thinkers, and work with school age kids to build these skills early. www.thebigthinkingbox.com
Presenter
Brian DeVries - is a global leader in lean and operational excellence with nearly 15 years of experience driving transformation across manufacturing, food processing, distribution, agriculture, insurance, and office furniture industries. He is the author of The Big Thinking of a Small Knight and Bigger Thinking, and the creator of the BIG thinking methodology. Brian has served on the board of directors for the Michigan lean consortium and is known for blending operational rigor with compelling storytelling to inspire lasting change.
Agenda
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
12 p.m. Welcome and framing the thinking gap
12:05 p.m. The Anatomy of an “AHA!” Moment
12:15 p.m. The 3 Cs & BIG framework (Be courageous. Imagine possibilities. Ground in truth.)
12:30 p.m. Interactive reflection: Where are we blocking breakthroughs?
12:45 p.m. Designing environments for BIG thinkers
12:55 p.m. Personal commitment & key takeaways
1 p.m. Conclude event
PARTICIPANT BENEFITS
Attendees will leave with a practical framework for intentionally creating environments where breakthrough thinking occurs consistently. They will understand how courage, curiosity, and critical thinking elevate continuous improvement efforts and will gain leadership behaviors and reflection tools to develop more BIG thinkers at every level of their organization.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Continuous improvement leaders
- Plant managers
- Operational excellence practitioners
- Executives
- Supervisors
- Anyone responsible for building a culture of sustainable improvement and stronger thinking within their organization.
Safety Requirements
OTHER REGISTRATION INFORMATION
We strive to host events that are inclusive and accessible to everyone to fully participate and engage. Please email events@ame.org if you have any questions.
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Cancelation Policy: This event may be canceled by AME for any reason. AME is not responsible for incidental costs incurred by registrants. For paid events, registration fee less a $20 administration fee will be refunded up to one week before the event. Substitutions may be made up to three days prior to the start of the event.
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