Response to John Dowd's message re: DEN demise

[Mdaszko@aol.com]

In response to John Dowd's post, I agree wholeheartedly.  Some days it feels 
overwhelming to try to make a difference with Dr. Deming's philosophy when few 
are open to learning and listening.  It's back to when the student is ready, 
the teacher will come.  Many of us who believe in what Dr. Deming taught us 
and see the power of how it can help our nation and the world feel we are 
chipping away at a glacier with an ice pick.

While I am not an active participant on the DEN, I periodically read the 
posts; otherwise personally I am trying to be active with clients and colleagues 
in influential positions to capture their interest in learning better ways to 
lead and manage.  I feel Dr. Deming's philosophy is so important, I persevere 
to share what I know (but have so much to learn more deeply); I am thrilled 
when people and organizations transform, optimize their systems, reduce fear in 
their organizations, make a difference, etc.

In one sense, Deming, the DEN, BADUG, the Deming Institute may be "dying" 
with less "membership."  On the other hand, perhaps we are still alive and well, 
making a difference, and organizations like the in2in Thinking Network, which 
is based on Dr. Deming's teachings, is just in its 3rd year of existence, but 
its annual April conference in southern CA is growing steadily.  Where else is 
there a conference where more than 200 people attend from around the world to 
discuss thinking about thinking--and challenge our thinking?
www.in2in.org

And the important question: At what pace to we see Dr. Deming's philosophy be 
adopted?  Obviously not fast enough!  As John so precisely pointed out, so 
many of our key systems are in shambles (education, health, etc.) and our 
leadership does not have Profound Knowledge.

I take that as a challenge, as I encourage all of us who can join together, 
and make a difference.   Maybe we need to aim higher and challenge the 
education and health care system leaders to think differently.

How are we doing?  And what can we do instead?

Marcia Daszko
www.mdaszko.com