I am a newbie to learning organizations, this list, and business
management in general. I am also a business management student at Lesley
College in Cambridge, MA. I am employed as a failure analysis engineer
using various electron and optical microscopies for a multinational light
bulb manufacturer in its central R&D facility.
I began a school research project that dealt primarily with specific
problems in managing a very tradition-bound analytical service laboratory.
My research took me far afield and before long the project was out of
control. I have redirected my efforts toward examining the difficulties
and potential benefits of developing shared values in my company, leading
me to learning organizations and customer-centered cultures.
One of my main obstacles has been trying to overcome the barriers to being
a management "outsider" with little influence or control. I do not want
to change the world just yet, that may come later, but I do want do grab
the ears of the movers and shakers in the company. So far, after having
written many letters, suggesting improvements, attending meetings with
executives, conducting the first laboratory customer survey in years,
writing a column for the company news paper, and other efforts, I have
been met with little more than polite smiles.
What efforts or personal behaviors would be most beneficial for one to use
to break the vicious circle whereby to have influence you need control and
to get control, you need influence? I know I should learn more about
politics, but I wanted to gain your knowledge as well.
-------------------------------------------------
Harold J. Crossman
OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
Lighting Research Center
71 Cherry Hill Dr.
Beverly, MA 01915
Phone: (508) 750-1717
E-mail: crossman@rd.sylvania.com
Our web sites: www.sylvania.com
www.osram.de
www.siemens.com
--"Crossman, Harold" <crossman@rd.sylvania.com>
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>