A Teesside process plant implemented skilled learning across a complex of 12,000 people. At the outset, the shop-floor was suspicious: ‘Why do you want to know my opinion?’ Some managers were scared: ‘What will we do if people start to think for themselves?’ But when they took part in the process, their attitudes soon changed and so did the company’s culture and environment. Issues across the board, from safety to productivity, were addressed as people realised their ability to make a real difference.