There are four factors that make a good continuous improvement manager: attitude, knowledge, skills, persistence.
Attitude: Ultimately, continuous improvement is a state of mind. It is a state of mind that expects things to get better, by making things better. If managers do not believe things can improve, then they will not.
Knowledge: Continuous improvement has a definite structure. It consists of five major parts and three minor ones (eight parts altogether). If managers do not know the theory, then they will not be able to put it into practice.
Skills: The theory has to be implemented in practice, and that requires communication skills, planning, prioritisation, problem solving, information management, motivational skills, change management skills. Skills are important.
Persistence: Continuous improvement means what it says, it is continuous. Which means, we do it forever. We do it because the world around us keeps turning and changing.
We must change with it and improve a little bit, every day.