Indifference, Inertia, and Insight
October 24th, 2003 by Hal
I love reading the columnists at Industry Week. I subscribe to the IW newsletters so not to miss them. This one just in: Continuous Improvement — Harness The Passion, by David Drickhamer.
Drickhamer wrote about what he discovered while looking at the service industry.
Insight: People care and they are frustrated.
How has manufacturing addressed this? According to Drickhamer, "as frequently happens," they change management.
(N)ew blood with a "passion for excellence," a keep-it-simple strategy, as well as a willingness to find and adopt best practices. The new managers recognized the obvious truth that someone somewhere in the manufacturing universe had already solved every problem that they would ever encounter, and that they in fact had a lot to learn.
I suggest we can't afford that approach, particularly our project managers. For the most part, companies already have the talent they need to do their projects successfully. It's the practices, measurements, and focus that must change. PMs can learn a new role and the few new skills to play that role. Then project team members will do as Drickhamer says they already know is needed from them:
(E)veryone in this organization shares an understanding that they need to improve every day if the company's going to be successful in its markets
We will break the pattern of inertia when PMs play the role of project leader.
p.s. Arrived safely in Colorado after just two days of driving. Got to Gary Indiana on Wed nite. Arrived in Greeley, Colorado late last nite. My son is now off to the mountains. Have a successful competitive season Mike!
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October 25th, 2003 at 6:33 pm
…disc.. discipline.
Perhaps the real challenge is not knowing how to lead, but when to lead. Interpreting the complications that require leadership, the call to entrepreneurial leadership, challenges those charged with managing an effort. Even if we know how to lead, the challenge of knowing when to employ those skills remains.
October 28th, 2003 at 5:01 pm
I’m reminded of a quote, but can’t remember who said it, but here goes anyway!
Just because you are not getting the results you want doesn’t mean you are doing the wrong things.