Re: Hillside yellers

[BCoop1116@aol.com]

Alan,  Thanks very much for your thoughtful reply.  If in my  language, in my 
previous post, suggested in any way that I was depleting my  energy on Dr. 
Deming's theories I apologize.  
I am still that same person who wants to engage people who are willing to  
engage in a reasonable dialog about the theories and not the personality.
 
What I have changed over the years though is that I realize that in order  
for people to understand the theory they must see the need to acquire the  
knowledge.  I, during my consulting time, went into many senior executives  offices 
and my first observation was what reading material was in their  office.  If 
I found only company memo's, instructions and policy manuals it  did not take 
me long to decide that this company was probably not a learning  organization. 
 CEO's and senior executives set the tone.  The  physiologists call it 
"intense modeling.".  The thing about it is,we all  know as parents we must set 
examples if we expect those around us look to us for  guidance, to continue to 
grow. Most executives "talk the talk" they do  not walk the walk."  
 
I do not care if they are reading history, management, leadership, religion  
or what ever.  But for Christ sakes read something that will make you think  
and maybe, just maybe, you might provide a model for others. 
 
Alan, I ask leader/managers all the time the question.  What is your  
improvement strategy?
In most cases they say they have an improvement group who does that. I then  
say no I want to know your "personal improvement strategy."  In most cases  I 
get a blank stare or a quote from USA today.  Sometimes they just get so  
uncomfortable they change the subject and the meeting ends shortly there  after.  
 
I wish I felt better about the average manager I see but unfortunately I do  
not. What I find if folks who are just hanging on and trying to "manage" 
rather  than "lead."
 
That is still on of my regrets about my relationship with Dr. Deming.   I 
should have tried to get him to write more on leadership to balance out his  
"theory of variation."  Since he did not, I try to remind folks that  "profound 
knowledge" is a system of learning which can be pursued but never  conquered.  
If it could have been Dr. Deming would not have continued to  grow and develop. 
 He provided a learning model for us all.  Now it is  up to us to continue on 
that path.
 
Hope this help clarifies my earlier email.  I continue my efforts, I  just 
don't spend much time with the group that I call the "yea but" group.   I save 
my energy for the areas that I think I can make a difference.
 
Bill "Coop" Cooper