RE: Staff Attitude

[Steven_S_Prevette@rl.gov]

A few thoughts:

Dr. Deming typically reviewed sick day records, and did worker interviews
and got a pretty good idea of the culture or "attitude" of the organization
he was working with.  I believe you can infer information about attitude
from surveys and interviews and walking around with your eyes open.  There
are probably other good measurables, such as sick days, and inappropriate
use of the company internet access.

Culture and attitude are important, but I do not believe can be "directly"
influenced.  I do tend to believe in "behaviorist" theories, which say I can
change a person's behaviors (physical actions they do), but I cannot change
their attitude.  Behavior modification will eventually impact attitude,
however.

I am reminded of the quote, "the beatings will not stop until morale
improves", and other Dilbert examples.

For those overly wrapped up in "attitude measurement" I do offer the
following scenario.  Let us assume I did have a black box with which I could
measure "attitude".  Joe is a 2, Jane is a 6, Bob is a 5.  What would you
then do with this information?  Discussions of such a scenario may also
result in realizing their may be multiple dimensions to attitude also.



Steve Prevette
Site Technical Authority for Statistical Trending
Environment, Safety and Health
Fluor Hanford, A Fluor Global Services Company
ASQ Certified Quality Engineer
steven_s_prevette@rl.gov
509-373-9371