Creating courage in the workplace
Overview
This interactive session explores how courage shapes culture, leadership, improvement, trust, and human connection at work. Using concepts from Bigger Thinking, participants will reflect on what creates courage, why people stay silent, how leaders influence psychological safety, and how we build courageous cultures. Together, the session creates space for honest thinking, shared learning, and practical reflection on how we create courage within ourselves and the environments around us.
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 setting the stage
BIG Thinking
We explore courage as the foundation of BIG Thinking:
- Be Courageous (speaking up, challenging assumptions, safe spaces)
- Imagine Possibilities (expanding thinking beyond current constraints)
- Grounded in Truth (seeing reality clearly, even when uncomfortable)
Reflection & Courage Operating System
Connection to pre-session reflection (values, hesitation, courage moments) and how personal experiences, beliefs, and environment shape behavior at work.
What Shapes Courage in the Workplace
Participants explore:
- What creates or suppresses courage
- Why people stay silent
- How fear influences behavior (mining for fear)
- How leaders and environments impact psychological safety and trust
Guided Conversation
Discussion focused on leadership behavior, culture, accountability, psychological safety, and how organizations either expand or limit people’s ability to contribute.
Closing Reflection & Takeaway
Participants reflect on key insights and leave with one personal commitment to act more courageously, such as speaking up, asking a harder question, challenging an assumption, or creating space for others to contribute more fully.
1 p.m. Conclude event
PARTICIPANT BENEFITS
Participants will gain practical insights and reflection tools to help create greater courage, trust, and openness within themselves, their teams, and their workplace culture.
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.
If you are not already a member of AME, we invite you to join at this time. Membership benefits include complimentary and discounted event registrations throughout the entire year. To learn more about membership benefits, please visit here.
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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.
*You can translate the session to a different language using the closed caption feature in zoom. Use the Zoom bottom toolbar - Select "closed caption", Select "caption language" from pop up menu, Select language from pop up list.
