Dr Deming Point 7
Institute Leadership

Managers do things right. Leaders do the right things
-Bennis and Nanus

Dr. Deming lived from 1900 to 1993. He published over 160 papers in various journals. He lived in the US as an unknown (until 1980) but Japan celebrates him with an annual Deming Prize given to companies with best quality practices.

Dr. Deming Point 7 Institute Leadership

Most companies do not train their supervisors or managers in leadership skills. Many new supervisors and managers, out of college, do not have the insight to make fundamental change.

Yet, companies insist their supervisors and managers hit their targeted goals. These companies promote those that hit or improve upon these goals. When company’s profits are goal based, managers focus on the end results and not on the inputs that caused the results.

Leaders drive change by understanding systems, processes, statistics, and employee motivation. They understand the organization's sky view, but willingly work among the ants to fully understand the details.

Leaders remove barriers to change. Leaders recognize they are responsible for the current working conditions. They do not fear change and drive to improve processes and systems. Leaders measure improvements with statistical tools.

Leaders teach and help others do their jobs. They take personal responsibility when their employees fail at their tasks. Leaders recognize individuals and encourage them for improvement ideas and then do not ignore these ideas. Leaders evaluate these ideas and involve all during their implementation.

There are a few, but most people are not natural born leaders. People learn leadership skills by taking classes from other leaders. You may have the title of manager, supervisor or director etc, but that does not mean you're a leader. As a management consultant, Dr. Deming pushed companies to train their supervisors in leadership skills.

Dr Deming’s 14 points

1. Create constancy of purpose for improvement of product and service.
2. Adopt the new philosophy
3. Cease dependence on mass inspection
4. End the practice of awarding business on price tag alone
5. Improve constantly and forever the system of production and service.
6. Institute training
7. Institute leadership
8. Drive out fear
9. Break down barriers between staff areas
10. Eliminate slogans, exhortations, and targets for the workforce.
11. Eliminate numerical quotas.
12. Remove barriers to pride of workmanship.
13. Institute a vigorous program of education and retraining.
14. Take action to accomplish the transformation.