On my first day as general manager of a failing facility, the salaried parking lot sat right next to the building, with names painted on the spaces. The hourly lot was 50 yards away.

By afternoon, a mechanic had painted over every name. The gate guard told everyone to move into the lot next to the facility, then padlocked the old hourly lot.

No announcement. No explanation. Before long, two hourly employees showed up at my door. “What’s with the parking lot?”

“No one here is any better or more important than anyone else,” I said. “Why should I get to park closer than you?” They nodded. “Thanks for asking. That door you’re standing in is always open.”

The message spread in minutes. And every day after, the lot delivered it again to everyone who pulled in: you’re valued, and you’re as important as anyone else.

Most change efforts focus on management and overlook the hourly workforce. At that facility, hourly employees were 75 percent of the workforce and the closest to the work and ultimately the customer. They had the most potential for improvement, and they were the biggest contributors to the facility’s success.

Change doesn’t start with a memo. It starts with an action people can see.

Your turn: What’s one visible action you could take this week that shows people they matter? Tell us in the comments.