Friday, November 9, 2007

Leaders Deride Process


The current White House has long disdained process, instead preferring command decisions that seem to fail in implementation. This derision of process was reiterated by a hopeful occupant, Republican Presidential candidate Mike Hukabee in reaction to Rev. Pat Robertson's endorsement of Rudy Giuliani.

"Some people have become more process-focused than they are principle-focused," Huckabee said Wednesday in Cedar Falls, Iowa. "It's pretty disheartening to see that it's not necessarily based on people saying, `Gosh, these guys have the right principles.' "

The political process in America is fraught with hyper-competition which results in suboptimizaiton. Dr. W. Edwards Deming taught a comprehensive system of management with Japanese leaders. its most committed proponent. President Bush loves to talk about the Japanese political transformation from enemy to friend, but never mentions the author of their economic resurgence post World War II.

While consumers cringe over the latest harmful item imported from China, we recall and continue to purchase high quality goods provided by Japanese manufacturers. The products don't have to be made in Japan, driven home by Toyota's passing Ford as the third best seller in the U.S. Many of their vehicles are made domestically.

A return to profound management is critical for American business and governmental leaders. Once we address the heavy losses, the U.S. can be a force for positive change in the world. It doesn't have to occur via heavy handed, violent measures. Bush's example of Japan shows just that. They studied Dr. Deming and made a profound recovery. So can we.