RE: Lack of Deming Philosophy in Education

["Robert Bacal" <ceo@work911.com>]

On 1 Oct 2003 at 9:31, Myron Tribus wrote:

> 
> The exchange between Robert Bacal and Rip Stauffer has been 
> interesting and useful.  I would only like to comment on one remark by
> Robert with the thought that it may be applied to other remarks in the
> exchange.
> 
> Deming was very strong on the use of slogans.  When he said "Drive out
> fear", I took it as a shorthand for saying, "Don't try to rule by
> fear. Don't artificially introduce fear into the workplace by putting
> in competition or pitting one person against another.   Try to
> understand what your employees are afraid of and, insofar as you are
> the agent causing it, desist."
> 
> I believe his other slogans should be interpreted in the same way.

I agree. But this points to one of the flaws in the way Deming 
presented his work. Unfortunately, when one uses slogans like this, 
there is a tendency to reach a part of the population that sees those 
slogans as "literal", without trying to read Deming's mind, or think 
further.

Sort of an early version of today's media soundbytes!

Robert Bacal

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