Black Friday has become a symbol of urgency and impulse,
where the excitement of deals can sometimes outweigh the true value of what
we’re buying. Karl Lagerfeld’s words remind us that our decisions—whether in
shopping or in leadership—should not be about activity for activity’s sake, but
about pursuing what genuinely excites us and creates real value. In the world
of lean and continuous improvement, this mindset is essential.

Lean thinking teaches us to eliminate waste and focus only
on what adds value to the customer. Just as shoppers can get caught up in
buying things they don’t truly need, organizations can fall into the trap of
implementing changes or chasing trends that don’t solve real problems. True
continuous improvement is not about doing more—it’s about doing what matters.
Leaders must ensure that every improvement effort is purposeful and aligned
with strategy.

Continuous improvement also requires discipline. On Black
Friday, the discipline is in resisting the temptation to buy simply because
“everyone else is.” In business, the discipline comes from staying focused on
value creation, even when shiny new ideas or tools compete for attention.
Leaders set the tone by asking: does this excite us because it drives progress,
or are we pursuing it just to stay busy? That clarity helps teams avoid waste
and channel their energy into meaningful change.

As leaders, we are called to be intentional decision-makers.
Black Friday serves as a timely reminder that the real value comes not from
volume, but from thoughtful choices. By applying the same principle to our
leadership, we can guide our teams toward improvements that truly inspire and
energize—building organizations that are not only efficient, but also
purposeful and resilient.

In the end, Black Friday is a mirror for leadership. It
challenges us to ask: are we chasing every opportunity simply because it’s
available, or are we carefully choosing the ones that create real excitement,
value, and growth? The lean leader knows the difference—and helps their team
stay focused on what matters most.