Re: Stuck in the middle
Keith Cowan (cowan@pci.on.ca)
Sat, 7 Jan 1995 16:00:57 -0500 (EST)
> Do you think their dismissal (all 39 of them) of L-O principles is for lack of
> understanding or for some good reason that you might be missing? I ask this as
> an outside observer with the greatest of respect for how difficult it is to
> marshall a group of headstrong executives to move in one direction. Also, I
> wonder if they might be confused about the relationship between L-Os and TQM
> and if they might see your promotion of Senge's ideas as "yet another
> (expensive) management fad".
> Marilyn Darling
> mdarling@warren.med.harvard.edu
I believe there is a certain reluctance to take on new approaches in many
organizations that is as much a desire to "hunker down" until things get
better. It is ironic that in tough times, people reject new ideas, cut back
on education, and generally rely on the old ways hoping that things will get
better. THEN they might open up to try something novel.
I do not see any easy approach to get them to open up. Suggesting they go
read someting will not have much effect. I find that some kind of structure
to flesh out common problems is best in this situation. At least then they
have a common basis for moving forward ...
--
Keith Cowan Phone: (416)565-6253 FAX: (905)858-7131
Toronto Internet: cowan@pci.on.ca Compuserve: 72212,51