a student's perspective LO7227

jpomo@gate.net ("jpomo@gate.net")
Mon, 6 May 1996 17:51:09 +0000

Replying to LO7196 --

On 05 May 96 23:57 Rol Fessenden wrote -

> In response to my diatribe on personal responsibility, Sherry said,
>
> "I agree but would go further in that the only behavior I can change is my
> own. I must point at me. As I live in that place, those around me see
> something different, and some decide to point at themselves. Still,
> irregardless of what others do, I can only change me. "

> There is a somewhat subtle issue here. As Deming said, people in general
> are not the root cause of dysfunctional behavior, systems and processes
> are. So his point was don't blame people. I agree with that. However,
> once we acknowledge that systems and processes are dysfunctional, we have
> to look around for the solution. Unfortunately, at that point, there is
> no one here but us people. We may not be responsible for the problem, but
> we cannot avoid responsibility for the solution.

When Deming talked of people, he meant the workforce or those who are
subjected to the policies, procedures, bureaucracy, leadership and the
like, those who are not policy makers. Deming told us not to blame these
people, but to look at executives and managers who do provide these things
as being the ones to blame. At the same time, I do not believe that Deming
appreciated the power of a strong and independent person who would take
responsibility for the solution even if not responsible for the problem.

Regards, Joan

not the problem
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joan Pomo The Finest Tools for Managing People
Simonton Associates Based on the book
jpomo@gate.net "How to Unleash the Power of People"

-- 

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