Human systems approach to improvement

[Chewning Dudley M GS12 917OG/DOOH <Dudley.Chewning@BARKSDALE.AF.MIL>]

The business world is seeking new ways to make profits with quality but
hidden away in other ballgames are processes that validate the essences of
Deming's proclamation that the business world could endorse. An approach to
justice that offers a new ways of dealing with the offender comes out of the
restorative justice model and could help CEO's understand the system's
model.  
An example:  Vice president Joe was caught verbally abusing an employee in a
sexual manner. The organization decides to hurry and sweep the matter under
the rug. Cover-up seems to be the quickest and best for the whole. 

A restorative justice model addresses the situation differently. The
situation is investigated, proof of the offense is validated, the VP admits
to the offense, a conference is arranged to deal with the matter. A mediator
brings the offender, victim, indirect victims (note everyone is an indirect)
and reps from the company into a session that brings the issues out so that
the trust lost and harm done are dealt with in a manner to benefit the
whole. Restitution and reintegration and consequence are the new steps
taken. Instead of tampering by sweeping the issue under the rug, a human
systems approach deals with the issue differently. Consequences can rebuild
relationship gone wrong and actually help restructure the dysfunctional
interactions of employees. If a CEO sees people (human systems)/employees as
valuable assets then the appropriate steps can be taken to help improve the
company's soul. 
Applying human systems improvements to a company, the CEO doesn't have to
fear, as Deming talked about, the people problems. These problems are
actually means to improving how people interact and an opportunity to
improve the human system, or as a family therapist, I would say a second
order change can occur and improvement in the human system benefits the
company's output. 
This thread is presented to show that looking at things through the lens of
profound knowledge can open up new ways of dealing with issues. Of course we
need to apply some analytical research to top this off but that is not too
far away once a CEO invites the approach into the company.

Dudley Chewning EdD, LPC
dchewning@aol.com       
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