🚀 go-pugleaf

----------------------------Original message----------------------------

        Over the past three years I've taught numerous TQM seminars to
workers in low-skill manufacturing industries.  Near the end of the class
set (8-10), I show the Deming video on his 14 points.  After a brief
discussion, I ask the students to independently evaluate their culture
according the 14 points (10=best, 1=worst).  Not very complex.

        After 350 surveys from three companies, the pattern is
consistent:  workers rate Point #8 (DRIVE OUT FEAR) the lowest.

        In subsequent seminars with management-level people, I raise the
same question.  The responses are more diverse with no clear winner.

        Why then do workers rate DRIVE OUT FEAR so low in organizations?
        Why are managers so insensitive to this need for workers?
        Since many of these managers were promoted from the ranks, how
could they have forgotten their earlier experiences?
        Are these observations valid?
        How should management, particularly first-line supervisors, act
differently?
        What are the implications for the organizations of not addressing
this underlying need by workers?

        Your comments will help me in the classroom.

JohnL Ellis
North Carolina Quality Center
2550 Highway 70 SE
Hickory, NC  28602
704-327-7000 x268