Comments

I've recently become a fan of the show and found myself nodding when reading the post. I might add that he works in an environment where many of the things listed are tolerated (although not encouraged) and failures don't have a lasting career impact.

Posted by Stephen at October 6, 2006 9:00 AM

While I haven't seen the show (I guess I don't watch much TV, either), perhaps Hugh Laurie would be more effective if he worked even smarter. I'm referring to "Carefully controlled experimentation—Hypothesis tests (e.g., stop all drugs, add back one at a time)." There are cases in which that's appropriate, no doubt, but one of my former employers taught me a couple of decades ago that such an approach was often slow, costly, and ineffective.

For a brief description of designed experiments, see the six slides at http://www.umetrics.com/default.asp/pagename/methods_DOE_intro/c/1 (I have no interest in Umetrics; I didn't even know of them until I searched for a short explanation of design of experiments to post).

Posted by Bill Harris at October 6, 2006 9:04 AM

House is indeed a great show, and now I'm more aware of why I like it!

Would House's method work on run-of-the-mill illnesses? His striking success when he's working "clinic hours" seems to indicate so... but I'm inclined to think his real genius is for the extraordinary, the unusual and the puzzlingly unique situations.

Maybe that's why the show is such a great metaphor for work in 2006 - in these extraordinary, change-rich times, we need more Dr House and less Dr Status Quo.

Posted by Dan Ward at October 6, 2006 9:24 AM

Dear Tom:

I've never seen the show, however: very nice analysis of it.

Some thoughts:

"If a Captain doesn't have a destination, any wind will take the ship wherever".

In most schools don't teach about manage life. How many people have goals? How many measure them?

How many change?

If someone doesn't know where is taking his life, does not expect too much about where is taking a company.

With best regards

Juan Miguel Robles Vargas
General Manager
Deisa
Guadalajara, Mexico

Posted by Juan Miguel Robles Vargas at October 6, 2006 9:24 AM

It's a great show. Why don't you see more of it in business and industry? The control freaks (leaders who come to your seminars, nod their heads, and go back and try to hide their control methods in more open behaviors)get ulcers. I worked in such an environment once and believe me it was fun and fast. Unfortunately most companies do not have fun and fast as a measurement metric.

Posted by Phil Clark at October 6, 2006 9:25 AM

Let me add something on the newtonian stuff: in high changing and demanding situations I think the Heisemberg principle wins (see eXtreme Project Management book by Doug De Carlo): the more you try to measure, the more all the other stuff 'explodes'.
And I think most of Dr.House solutions are not due to a newtonian method ... it's the way in wich he is rigorous but 'free' of mind (agile, in some way!).
PierG
http://pierg.wordpress.com

Posted by PierG at October 6, 2006 9:34 AM

The career - life balance is a win win challenge - create a family & career team that enhances / creates wonderful experiences for all ...

:>] ... opposite of [House] is the Trevor lifestyle - lurking, lurching, desparate, infamous, trouble-making, inconsistent, anti free enterprise - socialistic ... :>]

Posted by sean at October 6, 2006 10:36 AM

Sean - you forgot 'paranoid' :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at October 6, 2006 11:26 AM

And "... a fine golfer ... and "football fan ..." :>] - Trevor - don't shortchange your nefarious talent for madness and mayhem :>]

Posted by sean at October 6, 2006 12:02 PM

So, your doctor is House; your country is run by President Bartlett; your best friend is The Fonz; your neighbourhood cop is Kojak; you drink in the Cheers bar; even your crooks are the lovely Soprano family.

What I want to know is why, with these role models, does it not quite work out as it should...!

Posted by MarkJF at October 6, 2006 12:56 PM

PS And very soon you'll get Kinky Friedman as Govenor of Texas: now that really would be progress.

Posted by MarkJF at October 6, 2006 12:58 PM

Kinky Friedman and his band, the Texas Jewboys! Now there's an anti-corporate example.

Posted by Wally Bock at October 6, 2006 1:38 PM

Mark JF, sorry, but my neighborhood cop--no contest--is Peter Falk/Columbo.(And my best friend is John Cleese; and in an earlier life I starred in the original Monty Python Flying Circus!)

Posted by tom peters at October 6, 2006 1:49 PM

Tom

A great blog!

Tom, back in July, I too was inspired to blog on about "House". In the hope that my much simpler missive is both relevant and adds something here - I have reproduced it:

House.

"It is always difficult to assess what impact TV programs have on modern workplace cultures. One program that really stretches the envelop on what is acceptable at work is the popular series "House". The central character is the show - he is the brilliant Dr House. The show revolves partly around his "bedside manner" which is both confronting and effective. One of his least likeable traits is his compulsion for exposing the lies people, even terminally sick patients, persist in telling their loved ones and care givers.

House is a fictional character. Nevertheless the "idea" of House is worth thinking about:

- he is "really really good" at what he does (he has the respect but often not the admiration of his colleagues)

- he lives and works outside the current boundaries of his chosen profession (he has true freedom of speech and action - a set of freedoms for which he pays a huge price)

- he is an "extreme" example of the saying 'you are judged by who you hang with' (hang with the best of the breed like House - if you dare!)

House is a figment of our imagination but what an interesting set of issues, problems, and challenges he poses for us all to think about."

Cheers
Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at October 6, 2006 4:02 PM

My wife and I are huge fans of the show. Being a technologist, I identify with the dogged persistence of problem-solving and the infuriating trial and error process. My wife is a nurse and identifies with the emotionally removed Doc and his brusqueness with everyone in pursuit of a solution. While I can count on one hand the instances of 'Great TV', this is one of them.

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Posted by Steve Traversi at October 7, 2006 1:14 PM

Dr House reminds me of Dr Richard Feynman (American Physicist extraordinaire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Feynman
Dick, I miss you!

Tom, Thanks for the post.

Posted by Namith at October 7, 2006 1:43 PM

House-like leaders are more prevalent in small business as the ownership of all problems/glory/decisions is not in question.

In big business these characters rarer as 'standing out' is often seen as a weak position to be in. Though when they do appear they are valued much higher than the average exec.

Posted by Dominic Dirupo at October 7, 2006 4:59 PM

House works a bit with physical properties. Imagine him working on non-physical/mental properties. Let's take away all support and see if this cures the ills.

As Stephen said failures may have lasting impacts.

Now question if corportions or businesses dealing with people are the same as chemicals of a bloodstreams or energy of a wavelength. Is there a difference? As much as black is to white in colorspaces?

It is a question I have. Maybe I ought to have seen more than three episodes before commenting.

Biophysics, biochemistry anyone?

Posted by natascha at October 7, 2006 6:50 PM

House is the only TV I watch. I´ve even bought the first season on DVD, since I only started watching it a few months ago, by chance.

As you say, I think the show might inspire management teams and also the wish to study a degree in medicine or other extremely demanding studies. It might become a much better referent for young people that many caracters on tv shows or talk shows.

Posted by Gemma at October 8, 2006 6:59 AM

Also a big fan of the "House style".

His "fast failures" drive is excellent, but as several other have commented, it does have to be tempered by a pretty certain view of the real downside risks in any given situation, and the consequences of any such unfounded certainty. I guess dramatic license accouts for that.

What is especially good about the show is that, whilst he infuriates his management, they do show that they appreciate his value.

Posted by Ian Glendinning at October 8, 2006 6:23 PM

In your view, what are some of the companies that would hire, retain and cherish Dr House types ?

Posted by namith at October 8, 2006 10:44 PM

Why don't you just tivo it?

Posted by Jason at October 8, 2006 10:56 PM

Great House!
Great post!
Great slide!
But IMHO perhaps newtonian isn't the correct word...

The "Newtonian" word carries the weigth of a World ruled by Laws - exact, perfect, eternal.

Posted by Carlos Pereira da Cruz at October 9, 2006 1:42 AM

That is amazing how you discerned that process from the show. I also love House, and I like it even more with that distinction.

My own peronal blog is all about discovering the marketing processes, most people miss. Thank you Tom

Posted by Steve at October 9, 2006 8:55 PM

I didn't even get through an entire episode of "House" before I got too annoyed to continue. While fast-paced, well-written, and engaging, all I could think about our lead was "what a bitch!" The Doctor had to be male; a woman would get thrown out of the hospital in about 37 seconds (if she even managed to get into the position at all!).
As Namith asks, what companies would hire, retain, and cherish "Dr.House" types - especially if they were female?

Posted by Thea at October 10, 2006 8:48 AM

Well, i think BMW is one of those companies which cherishes Dr House types.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_42/b4005078.htm?chan=autos_sprb_bmw

Their head of communication had to say this about the company culture.

"It's easier to ask forgiveness for breaking the rules than to seek permission"

I was really impressed with this quote from the article, though.

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"Where you break rules you have to be very disciplined."

So Dr House can break the rules. But he is only tolerated and respected because everyone knows that he "knows" what he is doing & is the master of his art. Obsessed, as Tom would call him.

Posted by Namith at October 11, 2006 12:03 AM

I agree with you and I spoke about his personal brand some time ago

http://www.marcapropia.net/2006/06/house-enorme-marca-personal-de-ficcin.html

Posted by Andres at October 11, 2006 5:24 AM

What's wrong with work/life balance?

Posted by Kyle at October 11, 2006 8:18 AM