The Differentiator for Leadership

Originally written in September 2013

Organizations are being thrust into a torrent never before experienced.  Many leaders face new challenges.  Leaders who have a foundation of management philosophy for system optimization can adapt, respond, survive, grow, succeed, and create a new future.  Most leaders do not have this knowledge or much experience.  Management principles that Dr. W. Edwards Deming introduced to the Japanese after WWII to help them come out of the crisis they faced are not well known or implemented.  These principles were adopted to renew the American auto industry in the 1980’s, but again they were abandoned when the focus became the bottom line and stock price, rather than the health of a sustainable enterprise.  

These principles offer organizations anywhere in the world the strategic and operational foundation to transform and the focus necessary to compete in our global economy.  Systems thinking management principles, developed decades ago, foreshadowed the evolution of business models and strategies that are important today: the relentless integration of the customer in a more innovative system, the evolution of the modern, information-based supply chain; and collaborative, interdependent connectivity within organizations that demand people work, learn, improve and innovate together.

All of the parts of the enterprise: systems, sub-systems, processes, projects, materials, resources, people, teams, products, and service are all connected. All contribute.  Yet, when the system doesn’t deliver the results we want or need, who do we blame? People.

Individuals can work hard and with their best efforts, but the enterprise can fail.  Project teams can work hard and with their best efforts, but the enterprise can fail.  Leadership is responsible for creating the system and optimizing it, so that everyone is working togethertoward a common aim. 

What do you think of your leadership?  Can you rapidly achieve significantly better results?

Call Marcia Daszko & Associates at 408-398-7220 to help you facilitate rapid, strategic, systems thinking for better results.