Strong leadership is the driving force that sets the tone for the organization's culture and aligns everyone toward the same goal. Leadership is critical in creating a vision and strategy for the organization. Leaders must articulate a clear direction aligning with the organization's goals, values, and mission. Leaders should communicate the vision across the organization, inspiring and motivating teams towards the vision and providing the necessary resources to achieve it.

OPEX requires an organizational culture that’s focused on continuous improvement. Therefore, leaders need to foster a culture conducive to OPEX by encouraging their teams to question the status quo, challenge existing assumptions, and look for better ways of working. The best way for leaders to create a culture of continuous improvement is to lead by example and demonstrate desired behaviors. These leadership characteristics are critical to developing a successful OPEX culture, open communication, transparency, and accountability. Leaders should listen to their team's feedback and suggestions and make tough decisions when necessary.

The organizational change required for OPEX can be challenging. To be effective at driving change, it is important that leaders identify and understand the reasons for resistance and address them. Leaders should communicate the change vision and the benefits and risks of the status quo. They must also be supportive by providing the resources for their teams to successfully adopt changes, e.g., ensuring they are properly trained and prepared.

OPEX requires strong leadership at all levels of the organization. Effective leaders continuously work towards communicating the vision and removing barriers by providing the resources needed to develop the desired culture. An OPEX approach results in an embedded culture of continuous improvement, improved processes, and systems that will deliver superior performance. OPEX is a journey, not a destination.