The Deming Leadership Model--Chunk #1

[FVoehl@aol.com]

In a message dated 5/11/99 12:33:03 AM, Kromkowski@aol.com wrote:

<<1.  Collect D's text about Leadership. (We're almost complete here)
2.  Break it down into natural chunks.  Maybe smaller, maybe larger than the 
chunks you listed.
3.  Post individual chunks.  One chunk to a post.  One or two a day.
4.  Allow the DEN, to reply to you (or some designee) alone (not to DEN, 
since this would affect the results depending on the persuasive power or 
authority of the responder) with no more than 3 or 4 words (preferably one 
would) that best categorizes the principles or underlying the chunk.
5.  After all chunks are processed.  Let's see what kinds of natural 
categories arise, and let's see what chunks got a meaningfully high or low 
amount of responses. (We could use a IndX/MR chart, in time order, to see if 
there was a boredom effect.)
6.  Then let's have a discussion about Leadership.>>

When JD suggested this approach a couple of weeks ago, I anticipated a 
response from more than a few DEN members.  I have not seen much at all, so 
let me try to rekindle the fires of experimentation.  

As JD suggests, Dr. Deming himself described what it takes to be a leader-- a 
model, teacher, and friend--the essence of a leader.  In a seminar at  Ford, 
he said: *Did you ever try to write instructions on how to walk?  Very 
difficult;  yet people learn to walk by watching others.*  By watching 
Deming, nor merely by reading him, we can learn the lessons for a lifetime of 
leadership.

Dave and Carole Schwinn lay out the 14 attributes of a 
successful leader, as embodied by the spirit and walk of Dr. Deming:
• Generosity
• Sensitivity and attention to the needs of his followers
• Challenges assumptions
• Coach
• Stresses the importance of celebration and play
• Lights the fires of experimentation
• Exhibits life-long learning
• Gives recognition to those from whom he learned
• Teaches by story and example
• Shows persistence in questioning
• Focuses on theory and principles
• Communicates the urgency of the message
• Facilitates some form of profound knowledge
• Kind and loving friend

These 14 Points of Effective Leadership roughly correspond to the 14 Points 
underlying Profound Knowledge.  They can be dealt with as *chunks* as JD 
suggests.  And we can use the model of Dr. Deming himself as the backdrop.

To get us started, let me take the first leadership point--Generosity--and 
relate it to the example Dr. Deming gave us.  It is well known that he 
declined payment for much of his early teaching and writings that he provided 
to the Japanese.  Instead, he suggested that the payments and royalties be 
given to JUSE and the seed-money became the funding for the Deming Prize, 
which became the Japanese model for improvement and economic transformation.  
Later, the Schwinn's reply that his generosity extended to those who were 
trying to learn and apply his teachings.  Myron Tribus tells the story that 
Dr. Deming never failed to respond when Tribus asked for a small donation to 
help someone trying to take the theories to practice, particularly in the 
field of education.

Let this be the beginning of the Deming Leadership Model--Chunk #1.  When 
this one is developed, I will offer a springboard for Chunk #2--Sensitivity 
and attention to the needs of his followers.  So send me your comments (or if 
JD prefers, send them to him) in short bullets or statements and we will 
compile a list for the DEN to review.

Frank Voehl (FVoehl@aol.com)
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