FAQ for LO List LO4882

Barry Mallis (bmallis@smtp.markem.com)
15 Jan 1996 11:43:29 U

Replying to LO4814 --

John Paul Fullerton suggested some wonderful questions. Each demands
close attention.

Around his first one I'd like to sned a few thoughts. John asks:

"How do the disciplines of a learning organization relate to TQM?"

Here's my train of thought. Assumption: total quality is a team effort,
because collective genius is more powerful and efficient within
organizations than genius of the single individual WHEN IT COMES TO
ORGANIZATION GOALS.

Teams require an understanding of human interaction. That understanding
requires demystification through education--putting our human behavior
traits out on the table for all to scrutinize, so that insofar as possible
the degree of sensitivity to our strengths and foibles is understood
before taking steps.

My own sense is that we tend, most of us, to think that having reviewed
these ideas once, we don't have to cover them again; because, we're grown
up, after all, and capable of learning and carrying good thoughts and
practices forward after one "learning" of them. I'm certain most of us
don't see adulthood that way.

Teams and teamwork reinforce positive thoughts and practices. Consensus
making, conflict resolution, problem solving methodologies and more are in
the organizational environment microcosms of the efforts required today
across the tiny planet on the macro level. This internet list is a piece
of that puzzle.

Total quality practices support learning and team work. Lester Thurow
stated that "the rate at which individuals and organizations learn may
become the only sustainable advantage".

TQM is definable this way: an evolving system of practices, tools and
training methods for managing organizations to provide customer
satisfaction in a rapidly changing world.

Perhaps someone will pick up on this or on your next questions, too.
Best reagrds,

--
Barry Mallis
bmallis@markem.com