Re: Election dilemma from a process perspective

[Paul Hollingworth <PH@paulholl.demon.co.uk>]

David Kerridge <dfkerridge@mac.com> writes
>Unfortunately there is no agreed aim in
>politics, or in education, or many other important fields - rather a
>confusing range of conflicting aims. And each of these conflicting
>aims is passionately held and perfectly reasonable in the eyes of
>those who hold it, even if it is, in practice, unattainable.

Dr Deming pointed out that a system may have plural aims. 
In my opinion, this statement applies to most systems. To me, it seems
all complex systems have plural aims. 

Its a fact of life that these aims may conflict (sometimes, all the
time). That is why it is the job of system management to seek
optimisation of the system towards these aims (also, in practice, a
state not fully attainable). I advise leaders to seek the 'creative
tension' (see Senge) in these aims and endeavour to balance the
structures of their system without unduly subordinating the aims of any
stakeholder group. 

Again, in practice this proves to be a difficult and never-ending task
which is not for the feint hearted. Balancing a system in this way calls
for value judgements and therefore requires principle-centred constancy
of purpose. This is another reason, I believe, why we do not see more
evidence of transformed organisations in the UK.

Wrestling with these principles is a worthwhile task, as is aiming to
dynamically balance a system towards its plural aims. 
We may accept that a goal in life is practically unattainable but should
also recognise that this does not mean it is a pointless pursuit!
Deming advised the guidance of Profound Knowledge.

Paul H
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Paul Hollingworth                       4GM Consulting  
email: PH@4GM.com                       http://www.4GM.com
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