I always find it enlightening to see old videos of Dr. Deming. His commentary on the current state of business and management are just as relevant today, probably some 20 years after this video was made.
I’m sure everyone has just gone through their annual cycle of rewards, raises, recognition… things that Dr. Deming always railed against. His points about how annual review cycles stamp out intrinsic motivation and cooperation or teamwork are still just as relevant, right? Does anyone have tales or horror stories about those annual cycles?
About LeanBlog.org: Mark Graban is a consultant, author, and speaker in the “lean healthcare” methodology, focused on improving quality and patient safety, improving access, reducing costs, and fully engaging healthcare professionals. He is also the Chief Improvement Officer for KaiNexus.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Don’t anybody waste your time reading the comments there on the YouTube page.
While one person, rightfully, points out Deming’s ideas are STILL 30 years ahead of the times, there’s a frustrated debate about whether Deming was a “socialist” because he wanted “everybody wins” as a result.
Cooperation and not destroying people’s lives shouldn’t be incompatible with capitalism. Dr. Deming was no socialist, as the one moron over there tried to claim.
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I’m quoting the article here: “His points on all of that stamping out intrinsic motivation and cooperation or teamwork are still just as relevant…” It makes it seem as though you’re saying Dr. Deming wanted to stamp out intrinsic motivation, cooperation and teamwork – which I know is not Deming’s way. I am sure you did not mean your article to give that impression either. I just thought it was ironic how I first interpreted your meaning when I read this blog. Upon re-reading I’m certain you did not mean what I originally thought – but i could be interpreted that way. Sorry, I’m rambling now.
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You’re right, I was sloppy in my use of the word that… Dr. Deming thought annual review cycles stamped out motivation and he was against that of course.. I made an edit to try to avoid any possible confusion. Thanks!
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Your editing of the blog seems to make much more sense now. It’s amazing to me after all these years how many people still think Deming’s work is a “fad”. I work at a hospital where it appears hardly anyone knows about Deming’s work and how it applies in a healthcare field, especially in light of Lean management and The Toyota Management Method. Thanks for your blog!
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