Against Command And Control

(Originally posted 2003.Apr.23 Wed; links may have expired.)

Dale writes in "Dale Emery, Bureaucrat" that his department was being changed from serving others to ruling others.

I think this increase in command and control is a recent trend in the industry, a fear reaction to the current economic climate. But remember: "The more you tighten your grasp, the more star systems will slip through your fingers." -- Princess Leia, Star Wars.

Hmm. I suppose a quote from a fictional character isn't the most effective. How about this: "If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your own estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment." -- Marcus Aelius Aurelius (121-180 AD), Roman emperor. And this: "An intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction" -- Hoshang N. Akhtar

I'm going to have to read more about Deming. These are his "14 points":

1. Create constancy toward improvement

2. Adopt new philosophy

3. Cease dependence on inspection for quality

4. Minimize cost

5. Improve constantly

6. Institute job training

7. Institute leadership

8. Drive out fear

9. Break down barriers

10. Eliminate slogans

11. Eliminate management by objective

12. Right to pride of workmanship

13. Institute self improvement program

14. Accomplish transformation

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