Comments

Number 84 - vital! And not just rate of learning, style of learning as well. A. likes reading about it, B. likes trying hands on, C. likes watching it done, etc. Some prefer processing alone, others in a group. Quality is providing for multiple learning styles.

Posted by RobCH at May 29, 2009 9:08 AM

Quality!
Excellence!
Not!

Recently the liberal Newsweek magazine had the article below about how 10,000 heavily armed leftist Maoists dominate/extort/pillage-plunder 640M+ Indians.

How can India with its decades of wealth have so many living as slumdogs/dogettes - pillaged & plundered by leftists? Where are the police/military to protect the ultra poor people?

How could the Mumbai police be paid off/complicit to let the Mumbai massacre unfold almost endlessly like it did - Nov. 26-29, '08?

"Of India's estimated 1.1 billion people, 836 million live on less than 45 cents a day, according to the state-run National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector.

The states where self-described Maoists operate are home to nearly 80 percent of those 836 million."

Stay safe in New Delhi or wherever - I'll take New Mexico or New Brunswick or New York! :>)

PS - part of the blame surely is Trevor's forebears who enslaved India for decades of pillage & plunder. Have a lovefest fabulous weekend. :>)

http://www.newsweek.com/id/195669

Posted by C Love at May 29, 2009 6:21 PM

Welcome to India, Tom.

I take huge exception to C Love's comment about the Mumbai police being "paid off/complicit" in the 26/11 massacre. Such a wayward remark can only emanate from ignorance.

Posted by Subir Ghosh at May 29, 2009 11:31 PM

C Love's desire to apportion blame for the world's ills will doubtless lead him to read and enjoy "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy" by Greg Palast, which tells of some rather more recent unscrupulous plundering/ruination of foreign countries on a huge scale by an imperialist power.

Posted by RobCH at May 30, 2009 3:09 AM

Thanks Rob - Sounds like an excellent read - and of course very relevant to the expenses scandal of our own politicians at the moment. "Do as I say not as I do" springs to mind. Thank God for investigative journalism and Freedom of Information Act. Many people considered such legislation as part of a growing nanny state mentality when it was introduced. Now we can see its terrific value in exposing our supposed leaders and role models for what they really are. Politics stinks right now in the UK. I have thrown away my Labour party bias and will look instead to vote for an individual candidate based on what he/she stands for at the forthcoming Euro and General Elections. All three major parties are equally implicated in this scandal so as far as I can see there is no point in voting for a party. I am appalled at the total lack of political leadership in our country at the moment. They all seem to be keeping their head below the parapet. It’s bunker mentality. I believe this is a defining moment in British constitutional and political history. I even heard mention last night that the Queen may have to step in and dissolve parliament because Mr Brown seems incapable of ‘feeling’ the anger of the British public and calling a General Election. Interesting times indeed. What do you think Rob?

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 30, 2009 4:03 AM

Trevor, I agree it's appalling, but..I'm afraid that if there is an election now we will end up regretting the results much more than we hate the current mess. People voting in red-hot vindictive anger is not a good recipe for creating a calm functioning representative political system. And whether we like it or not, all of our current political process is based on the two-party (okay, 2 and a half) system. I fear that the current public rage will simply let into parliament a bunch of unpleasant extremists, single-issue fanatics or feel-good inadequates. I would rather let all this froth settle down and then get back to voting on the real issue of where we want our country to go, with the decency of our MPs a side-issue where it belongs.

Posted by RobCH at May 30, 2009 4:46 AM

Thanks Rob - maybe you are right. We should perhaps 'Count to ten' as my late beloved Dad would have said. I can see what you are saying. My biggest concern is this public anger might dissipate over coming months letting MP’s off the hook and we will then end up with some sort of fudge/compromise rather than the really radical change we desperately need. I just cannot see how any of the current parties nor the current system can retain credibility Maybe cage rattling is just what we need. I worry like you about the wrong sort of ‘extremists’ but some real cage rattlers would be very welcome in my view. At least we would see some leadership. Quite frankly I recognise no credible leader among the current 640 MP's.

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 30, 2009 5:03 AM

The main thing is that there is so much incredible benevolence in the UK & USA compared to 600M+ held hostage by leftists for example in India. Chinese & Russian imperialism now is the current & future challenge. And it is not a USA/UK benevolent imperialism.

Subir - maybe rather than ignorance you are in denial of perversion of governance? How does a massacre run for 60 hours in developed Mumbai without negligence/corruption of local "authorities/police"? How do Maoists terrorize the majority of India's population while the military/police turns its back? Pakistan sponsored terrorism against India is a key issue in India. The USA considers India as a wonderful friend & we love to support India as a dynamic republic of freedom.

Posted by C Love at May 30, 2009 6:12 AM

"Chinese & Russian imperialism now is the current & future challenge. And it is not a USA/UK benevolent imperialism."

This is a very interesting thought. Imperialism has always been about economics; the conquering of lands and people was the means. The new kind of imperialism will probably take a different form i.e., China and Russia. It will perhaps not matter as much if one has a great military per se if dominance is gained via economics, i.e., a tech kind that will not take reverse engineering to reproduce or the necessary turn around time in such a high tech economy. Japan did not need a military, although what is happening in North Korea now perhaps points to the significance of such.

India and Pakistan both have nuclear weapons but without a stabilization of these countries--though India's recent election was impressive-- how could they ever be a real player? Perhaps one step at a time? Come to think of it, India is in the mix with production and technology, largely from outside nations it seems. But with some of the concern mentioned above and in the article, it has a long way to go. But going it seems to be, although the Newsweek article points to some very real concerns.

Development is good for India with its hundreds of millions of very poor. If life imitates art "Slumdog Millionaire" points to the necessity of change. I have not visited India, but relatives have. I would like to. Regarding British imperialism, it has left a bloody blighted stain on many countries throughout the world. This is a fact. But how to move forward is obviously very important.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 30, 2009 8:44 AM

"..a bloody blighted stain". Could you be more explicit please Judith? It is convenient to paint the British Empire as wholly bad, and by today's terms much of it was, but as empires go it was also remarkable for its positive aspects - which get very little mention. Bloody? Perhaps you would like to compare Britain with other imperial countries of the age, like Belgium in Africa under Leopold? Blighted? Perhaps you would like to consider, since we are talking about India as a nation, what the likelihood of that one nation existing today would be without the system of national government, education, and the railways and telegraph that the British introduced? We live in a world in which the powerful have always sought dominion over others, and empires are a function of this. All empires and imperialism leave stains, usually bloody, and the British Empire was no exception. But its positive legacy deserves much (well, a little at least) more than your emotive and unqualified dismissal. And for evidence of modern-day imperial blight, I recommend Greg Palast to you too.

Posted by RobCH at May 31, 2009 12:50 AM

Rob – It seem like you do not need me to define the bloody blighted stain of the British Empire; you have done so well by merely comparing yourself with the Dutch who were just about as brutal in conquering lands and trafficking human beings. The Dutch landed the first slave ship in America in 1619. But do I need to remind you of that sun that never sat on the British Empire from North to West to South to East which left in its wake death and destruction? The British Empire was without doubt one of the worst in history, along with the Dutch, that destroyed lives and cultures wholly. There is no doubt that the remnants of such destruction remain. "All empires and imperialism leave stains, usually bloody, and the British Empire was no exception." Oh, and that made it so right, excusable indeed! They did it and we did too. The arrogance of your comment is alarming.

With regards to what I assume you are calling American imperialism, or any other for that matter, is akin to saying your fascism is worse than ours. All such is terribly wicked. What a paternalistic arrogance you possess: "Perhaps you would like to consider, since we are talking about India as a nation, what the likelihood of that one nation existing today would be without the system of national government, education, and the railways and telegraph that the British introduced?" The ends do not justify the means. PERIOD! Plus, who’s to say that India would not be further along without British imperialism? But, of course, the Indian people would not have ever advanced without the Brits. Murder, rape, and pillage, how's that for your "positive legacy?" It is this lingering attitude that is so incredibly distasteful.

I laugh wearily at the latter part of your statement and am disgusted by the former, written I imagine with an air of arrogance that can only be accompanied with a "stiff upper lip," for how you can write such words is beyond me: "But its positive legacy deserves much (well, a little at least) more than your emotive and unqualified dismissal." There no value in the destruction of human life and the confiscating of natural resources and lands that is not yours. But speaking of my "unqualified dismissal," does such need qualification when it's obvious that such destruction was detrimental to peoples across the whole world? Do you want chapter and verse worldwide? If you need lessons in history, maybe I shall rummage through my personal library in order to assist you. But with regards to my emotions or better yet passions (your "emotive" sounds like the same sexist code word spoken of Sonia Sotomayor’s passion. BTW - are such words ever spoken of men?) which you seem to lack...well, there ain’t nothing I can do for you. But perhaps dancing a jig will do. Got rhythm?

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 31, 2009 3:47 AM

Thanks Judith - I agree - USA "imperialism" I should restate as more rebuilding Japan, Europe, Korea, you name it in the name of freedom, free will, free press, freedom to congregate, et al. At the time of British imperialism the USA was fighting for existence mainly!

My point on India is that it is shocking to me the plight of so many there - appreciate Newsweek & other minor research I did to clarify their issues since it seems the mainstream media too often ignores those in dire straights of poverty where even clean water is a luxury.

With India's wealth - how can they not provide an adequate police force for those ruled by Maoists?

A fine teaching moment for Trevor who tends to rewrite history to make England the world savior! :>)

PS - though TG does know the UK is at a tipping point now almost as severe as before the USA saved England from WWII Nazi rule.

Posted by C Love at May 31, 2009 5:57 AM

Judith, I penned a long reply and then thought it would just result in one of those interminable off-topic arguments which don't do this forum justice. On consideration, I should not have raised the issue. With respect.

Posted by RobCH at May 31, 2009 7:40 AM

Is history best used as a quiver full of arrows? Or is it best suited as a learning experience for us all for charting a better future course? I can claim to be no better or no worse a person than, say, Trevor Gay, simply because of what my parents or grandparents did in their lifetimes. I can not claim to live in a better or worse country, either. What matters more than anything is where we are now and where we are going.

I am somehow reminded of the late George C. Wallace. Decades ago, he stood in the doorway of a school and was seen on national television speaking the words "Segregation forever." Then, in the 1980's, he was once again elected Governor of Alabama. Many of my African American friends verbalized their support of Wallace. I was not shy about it -- I asked "WHY would you vote for a man who was such a clear and outspoken racist?" Their explanation was that Wallace was at least NOT an "under the radar" racist. They could and did fight openly -- including in the courts -- against the unjust and unfair laws and policies of segregation. They also went on to say that all indications were that Wallace had "changed." Can not the character of a whole nation change as well?

Trevor speaks of the corruption in his own beloved country. I hear the pride AND disgust in his voice, wanting his homeland and its governance to essentially "do the right thing," and I'm fairly certain that each of us feels similar pride and hope -- along with occasional disgust and outrage -- at the wrongs of those who are supposed to be our leaders.

As for me, I know of no nation on the face of the Earth with a history that qualifies it to "cast the first stone." I can not hold the sins of the fathers against another. Instead, I am filled with hope that given the highly advanced and even more rapidly advancing technology of our world, combined with the ability to learn from history (provided we actually see and apply such learning), we can create better nations and indeed a better world for our children and future generations to grow and improve in even bigger and better ways.

I don't care where a person has been. But I watch very carefully where he or she is standing at this moment and in which direction he chooses to walk. I can not go back in time and stand beside a person in the past. But I sure as hell have the freedom to choose whether or not I will stand beside a person at this very moment or walk with them.

As nations and as a (rapidly shrinking) world, we have NO excuse for choosing to walk any path other than progress for humankind in general. Neither history, nor pride, nor ignorance even. No excuse.

The concept of diversity and teamwork as a tool for dialog and growth is just as applicable to mankind as a whole as it is to a small team or a company. It's a matter of scale and our willingness to follow the simple Nike notion and "Just do it." Wisdom from out of the way places? How about Pogo: "We have seen the enemy, and it is us."

Us.

Or as Stephen Covey puts it, "The moment we start to think 'the problem is out there,' that thought IS the very problem."

Posted by Dan Gunter at May 31, 2009 8:40 AM

P.S.

For clarification on the Stephen Covey quote, perhaps I should have typed it as follows:

"The moment we start to think the problem is 'out THERE,' that thought IS the very problem." [emphasis added.]

Out of respect for Dr. Covey, a man I hold much respect for, I wish not to be ambiguous in quoting him, especially since there have been countless times when reflecting upon hearing him speak these words has done more to help me solve seemingly insurmountable problems.

Posted by Dan Gunter at May 31, 2009 8:50 AM

The Quality 121 of front line focused, actionable things that can be integrated into any organization to improve performance, productivity and results brings forth a discussion on???? Nice....

Posted by dave wheeler at May 31, 2009 9:26 AM

For real, Dave. And we wonder why it's so hard to create change in organizations. "The problem is never how to get new, innovative thoughts into your mind, but how to get old ones out." -- Dee Hock, Visa founder, oft quoted by T.P.

"BURN THE BOATS." -- Hernando Cortez. My trusty Zippo... could be the best tool I own.

Onward and upward!

Posted by Dan Gunter at May 31, 2009 9:58 AM

I've no idea how, or more importantly why this discussion had to move to some sort of unarmed verbal warfare between the US and the UK ... and on a Sunday of all days .. some irony there folks. Thanks Dan for your common sense, pragmatic view which I share. Thanks Dave for bringing us back to the topic. At least the sun is shining.

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 31, 2009 10:30 AM

Your opening statement, C, is great. I agree and understand well your elaborated points on imperialism. Thank you.

Was the Marshall Plan a form of imperialism? Many Western European countries would have remained in rubbles or have been rebuilt with another name if assistance from the US had not come. If that is called imperialism, well, please clarify. I also understand here the threat of communism perceived then as well as this war which fueled the US economy, though this is not to my mind a reason for such at all. When thinking of "American imperialism" and economics the example that I could perhaps readily point to is second Iraq war, where some believe as if it was fought over oil. Our bases throughout the world may also have more to do with securing ourselves as well as protecting others, allowing quick and easy access if necessary. I have also wondered if some bases should simply be eliminated.

Think South Korea and Japan. Though, I have wondered if some should now defend themselves, then perhaps tax dollars would go toward more internal issues and just maybe the restructuring of the American car industry would not be necessary. Oh, that might be a little far fetched and competition is a good thing. OK. OK. OK. I know this, really I do. But maybe just maybe it would have taken another form if focus was divided between national security and other potent nationalistic interests. Entrepreneurialsim is not birthed in a vacuum. Government plays its necessary roles of which protection of the nation state is one as well governing laws such as the Glass-Steagall Act. Are these things not worth considering in moving forward in this brave new world of globalization?

By the way, this may be a thorny thing to ask, but was the US ever repaid for rebuilding Western Europe after WWII? What are a few bases in light of this enormous debt? :-) One other thing, please know that any idea that I have about ANYTHING can readily be changed in light of the enlightened views of others.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 31, 2009 10:52 AM

Rob – Your penned response would have probably been by far more interesting and relevant than the current one. :-) With regards.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 31, 2009 10:57 AM

Dave - You think you might want to steer the conversation toward The Quality 121 with thoughts that would actually initiate a discussion besides merely pointing to the fact that it's "nice?" Such comments only elicit non-essential ones like Trevor's that does nothing for a discussion of anything, save the interjection of some lame rosy image that does not emit sunshine or illuminate ideas.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 31, 2009 11:06 AM

Happy Sunday to you too Judith. I'm sorry my comments don't meet your expectations for Tom's Blog. I clearly need to improve my inputs to match the standards you set for Toms Forum.

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 31, 2009 11:14 AM

With such continued words, could my point above be made any clearer?

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 31, 2009 11:18 AM

Quality is: Tom's going to the trouble to share ideas, thoughts, and experiences that we (should be able to) comment on, question, and explore. Not necessarily agree with 100% of the time, but at least handle rationally.

Junk and noise: is the sort of garbage going on here.

Are WE (the collective "WE" that visit Tom's website and blogs to (supposedly) carry on mature relavent dialg) a model of "Excellence?" Are WE serving as as an example of "Wow!" in all these comments? It ain't likely to be perceived as such.

If I were a business person seeking an expert to consult in all things "Excellent" ... "Wow!" ... someone to create positive change in my company through dialog, diversity, even pertinent discussion... and I came into this discussion thread hoping to find a hint of someone that could help me in those ways, I would leave thinking that the pickings are pretty damn slim.

Tom, if you happen to be reading all these comments (and God help you, because I know you just well enough to know that you do), I hereby pledge as a friend that as of hitting "POST" for this comment, I am going to do my best to contribute positively to the dialog -- even if it veers off-topic a bit -- so long as it seems to be respectful dialog among respectful adults. If it's otherwise, I'm merrily scrolling along.

Snipers, PLEASE, stand down. Please. I've seen the quality of the dialog here diminish greatly over the past couple of months, and at best it is distracting me from being able to explore the real issues Tom is trying to raise. Sure, let's have a little fun now and then, but outright attacks are getting more than old.

Posted by Dan Gunter at May 31, 2009 12:14 PM

Dan, fact is I do read these through and through.

Usually.

But I must admit that at 2PM yesterday (EDT) I returned from around the world in 1 week and 8 hours. A lttle threadbare.

(Highlight came the last evening in India. A young--35ish?--man, Indian, commenting on my non-stop presenting from about 9AM to 8PM, said that he did not believe I was 66 and if I truely was, he did want to know where he could get a companion to my Medtronic pacemaker. Made my day!)

Hence I merely glanced at what's above. Coming in late to the exchange, I picked up only a couple of odd notes, mostly about the Queen's subjects. The British at some point of no return? As a joyous "student" of human foible, I find the expenses scandal, assuming that's the worry-du-jour, merely amusing, and assidulously read every juicy word I could find on it during my 5-hour stop-over at Heathrow T5; in particular I love the fact that the Conservatives have not taken a hit at the polls because the Brits expect them all to be greedy bastards. Makes sense to me.

Frankly, I'd have thought that the physical takeover of Pariament by the foxhunters a couple of years ago would have been perceived more troublesome.

Here in the Colonies apparently our cynical Manhattanites were as usual gaga over British royalty, and perceived no near end to the British Isles--William's first official assault on New York City caused more swoons than the Beatles; we even fell in love with, for God's sake, polo! Wills played a round or an inning or whatever for the Princess Diana AIDs charity--and they collected enough moolah from the still-filthy-rich Yanks to cure most any damn disease.

Life in Britian, I dare say, and future prospects, beats life in the Swat valley.

Humankind mostly sucks, as I see it, even on a Sunday, but as long as British princes stop by for a bit of polo I guess we can soldier on 'til the GM bankryptcy tomorrow.

Posted by tom peters at May 31, 2009 1:26 PM

Agreed. Yes, the Prince was a major hit and it was good to see him make so many stops throughout NYC. The beauty that he represents is his mother, whom the whole world loves. In her name alone indeed millions are raised.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 31, 2009 1:49 PM

"(Highlight came the last evening in India. A young--35ish?--man, Indian, commenting on my non-stop presenting from about 9AM to 8PM, said that he did not believe I was 66 and if I truely was, he did want to know where he could get a companion to my Medtronic pacemaker. Made my day!)"

This is awesome!

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 31, 2009 1:53 PM

More re governments: As America's greatest student of government, James Q. Wilson, frequently reminds us, governments are not meant--ie by design--to "work." Humans being [limited] humans, effective governmants are designed to "muddle through." Govenments that "work" are run by the likes of Hitler or Stalin.

Posted by tom peters at May 31, 2009 1:59 PM

Tom,

Humankind being such as it is, I may not be far behind you in being a quality control statistic for Medtronic. Old habits don't die easily... including my love for good old friend, Southern food. ;-)

Glad your trip went well. I hope to hear and see more of how things went on your trip. Quality is truly universal. It can be achieved anywhere. No matter where a person calls "home." You either find it, or you create it.

Posted by Dan Gunter at May 31, 2009 2:04 PM

"Quality is truly universal. It can be achieved anywhere. No matter where a person calls "home." You either find it, or you create it."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by tom peters at May 31, 2009 2:14 PM

Wow! What an absolutely amazing reminder of Mr. Wilson's and great analysis by TP. Thank you! Thank you! I also completely LOVE the point that "quality is truly universal. It can be achieved anywhere. (I have seen this in my many travels.) No matter where a person calls 'home.' You either find ir, or your creat it. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 31, 2009 2:34 PM

Tom, what Wilson says about governments really makes sense. Governments should see themselves in the same manner that good business leaders should see themselves: as "servant leaders." The order of those two words being non-random -- learn to serve others first if you would lead them.

The people in government are ultimately elected as public "SERVANTS" to facilitate the needs of those who elected them. "OF the people... FOR.. BY..." I doubt that if we also added a special "referendum" to ballots at election time that we'd get many "Yes" votes to questions such as "Do we need more corruption? Do we need more separation of the rich and the poor? Do we need more wasteful spending? Do we need more lives lost in wars?"

There are times when I despise the media and times when I love them. Like Trevor, I applaud those who expose and honestly report on government corruption. Things like the F.O.I.A. are staples of checks, balances, and oversight of our elected servants. So long as humans are what they are, there will be those who abuse power and position. It holds true in government, in businesses, in churches, in life in general. So, what do we do about it?

We watch, we learn, we discuss, we make changes, we make corrections, and we keep an eye on the results. That is quality improvement in government, business, churches, families, every aspect of this thing we call "life."

I suppose I'm a fan of underdogs. Whenever I hear of innovation coming from some seemingly out of the way place, I cheer it. I love it. Be it from India, the U.K., Japan, Korea, China... even the good old U.S. of A. Let's face it, will our great-great-great-great grandchildren REALLY care that much about what country first invented the automobile? Or who first mass produced them? Hell, no. All they will care about is how easy they are to fly.

Posted by Dan Gunter at May 31, 2009 2:37 PM

"In particular I love the fact that the Conservatives have not taken a hit at the polls because the Brits expect them all to be greedy bastards."

Brilliant analysis Tom - actually I think your excellent term ‘greedy bastards’ applies equally to politicians of all parties over here right now not just the Conservatives. As a life long Labour Party voter I am not intending to vote for the 'Party' at the next election. Instead I'm looking for an individual from any Party representing my constituency. I will make my decision about him/her based on how they address issues of integrity and probity. A current MP speaking on BBC TV on Thursday evening said that campaigning on the doorstep he has come across members of the public shaking with anger about the loss of credibility MP's have suffered recently. Interesting times. As for quality I’ve always felt it is in the eye of the beholder regardless of its home. Welcome back.

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 31, 2009 2:51 PM

Trevor, as though you didn't suspect it, these problems are by no means limited to your side of the pond. I thought I'd heard just about all there was to hear in the way of government corruption and scandals until I heard about the under-the-table wheeling and dealing for the empty office of our now President. At least I would have had the decency to put up for auction on Ebay with the proceeds going to a worthy charity -- something like public education, perhaps??? Now THERE is a cause in need of some quality improvement in this country!

Posted by Dan Gunter at May 31, 2009 3:07 PM

"Quality is truly universal. It can be achieved anywhere. No matter where a person calls "home." You either find it, or you create it."

I am learning this lesson daily as I continue to work and navigate my way through the world of public/political advocacy. I haven't necessarily found a lot of quality. But I have spoken to many individuals who recognize many of the services and programs designed to assist working folks are ineffective and inefficient. They don't know how to create it. But at least they know change is needed and that is always the first step in the process. I had a terrific one on one discussion with a State Senator consider to be the most liberal in Arkansas but I learned that with one exception...unions...her 10,000ft view matched mine from community level ground zero. I know how to create it, just haven't learned enough as yet as to how to "break into the business" if you will. It is however through tools like "The Quality 121" that creating quality can be learned and applied. There is something about that strategic listening concept that can teach any person or organization a few thing about where change needs to begin...

Posted by dave wheeler at May 31, 2009 3:13 PM

Dan - I guess the anger over here comes because these politicians are the people we are supposed to look up to.

Right now any advice politicians give me about ANYTHING feels like The Hunchback of Notre Dam telling me to sit up straight.

At least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask.

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 31, 2009 3:20 PM

Dave - It is often when we begin an initiative that we are unsure about a great many things. This has absolutely been my life story as I have begun and begun anew many things, forever doing my first works, as in the basics of a thing, again. What I have learned through reading your blog rather reguarly is that you are forever looking for new ways to make a difference with a beautiful humility. It is this quality that distinguishes and is valued. Breaking into the business, as you put it, is often done so by simply crashing head first and learning as we go. You already have the basis of so very much. I wish you continued success.

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 31, 2009 3:28 PM

LOL, Trevor!!! Great imagery! I know this feeling well!

Posted by Judith Ellis at May 31, 2009 3:37 PM

Dave, you've hit on a very important point in change and leadership: the ability and humility to admit that we don't know what we don't know. I mean, honestly, do we as consultants EVER walk in the door of any business or into any meeting with all the answers in hand? No, we don't. If we'll admit it, we don't even know that the REAL QUESTIONS are to begin with. Oh, sure, we've been told in some consultation or prep session that "Our problem is..." but that's rarely even close to the root that needs to be dug down to. free viagra samples without prescription

What separates real quality consultants from hacks and charlatans is the ability to look someone (or a bunch of people) in the eye and say "I don't know. But you're paying me to figure out the questions and then help you find the right answers to them" and later hand them a bill with the other hand... AFTER finding some workable solutions and helping the clients along the way to real results.

Sometimes those results are far separated in time and space from what goes on today. I've heard some recently questioning Tom on whether or not what he does produces results. Sure, we'd all love to hit a grand slam the first try and be able to say "Look what I did for these folks!" That would be great. But that rarely happens. Sometimes we go the "Johnny Appleseed" route, hoping that nobody comes along pulling up the seedlings and killing any chance to see that client enjoy the fruit one day.

As I once heard someone say "You can count the number of seeds in an apple, but you can't count the number of apples in a seed."

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I join you, Tom, and I hope everyone here in wanting to at least plant a seed or two for quality here and there. Even the likes of W. Edwards Deming sometimes look back and say "Wow! I never expected that great a change."

"To live, to learn, to love, to leave a legacy." -- Stephen Covey. We are ALL forever learning. The day I stop learning or even wanting to learn, folks can do whatever they want with my lifeless body.

Posted by Dan Gunter at May 31, 2009 3:48 PM

Trevor, you're right in that we are often disappointed in the actions of those we want to look up to. But the fact remains that they are human beings, usually as susceptible to bad influences and schemes as the next person. We'd like to think that we've elected saints to office, sometimes only to find out that they're more like the thug hanging out in the alley, about the only difference in their "rap sheets" being one got caught and the other hasn't... yet.

The only way we can totally eliminate governmental corruption would be to choose total anarchy. But I'll settle on keeping a watchful eye on a few and leave it to law enforcement to watch the other 300 million or so here in the U.S. "In God we trust. All others must pass a background check."

Posted by Dan Gunter at May 31, 2009 3:58 PM

You're right of course Dan but I live in hope.

Posted by Trevor Gay at May 31, 2009 4:18 PM

Hope, mixed with stubbornness and a healthy dose of genuine curiosity is about the only thing that has ever really resulted in change worth talking about.

Posted by Dan Gunter at May 31, 2009 4:27 PM

Judith...you are far to kind Ma'am and thank you! I am thinking there is a certain person in or around MoTown Michigan who has influenced and encouraged my getting out in the community,as well as that 66 year old dude who can talk a great deal about stuff that interests him. Both have made a real difference in my attitude and actions and for that I thank you...both of you ...you know!

Dan...don't recall who said it originally but I used to work for a Colonel who repeated it frequently..."it's better to remain silent and be thought a fool that open your mouth and remove any doubt." The knock on the Baldrige Criteria used to be Florida Power and Light. They won the award and later went out of business. How do you explain that they asked? Leadership changed. In the Air Force, commanders were only in a job for 2-3 years max before they moved on. The new leader comes in and doesn't respect the culture the old leader established...you gonna have some "issues". Tom's words work! The Quality 121...he's not telling you anything other than "how" to get results...jesus, free ain't good enough for some "customers"? What's up with that? You would think this is the wireless industry or something...free and unlimited isn't good enough for many in "my" industry!

Posted by dave wheeler at May 31, 2009 6:07 PM

Meanwhile the Love ecosystem has turned to hedonism Excellence:

"One school, grouped around Jeremy Bentham, defends a quantitative approach. Bentham believed that the value of a pleasure could be quantitatively understood.

Essentially, he believed the value of a pleasure to be its intensity multiplied by its duration - so it was not just the number of pleasures, but their intensity and how long they lasted that must be taken into account.

Other proponents, like John Stuart Mill, argue a qualitative approach. Mill believed that there can be different levels of pleasure - higher quality pleasure is better than lower quality pleasure. Mill also argues that simpler beings have an easier access to the simpler pleasures; since they do not see other aspects of life, they can simply indulge in their lower pleasures.

The more elaborate beings tend to spend more thought on other matters and hence lessen the time for simple pleasure. It is therefore more difficult for them to indulge in such "simple pleasures" in the same manner."

If not Excellent hedonism, what?
Where?
When?
Why?
How often?
How intense?

:>)

Posted by C Love at May 31, 2009 6:56 PM

Dave, thanks for the input and the quotation. TP, I appreciate the slides and their content.

Posted by Andres Agostini (Andy) at May 31, 2009 8:13 PM

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6401557.ece

India accused of being complicit - June 1, 2009:

"India was accused yesterday of complicity in the killing of an estimated 20,000 civilians in the last stages of Sri Lanka’s 26-year war against the Tamil Tigers.

Major-General Ashok Mehta, a former commander of Indian peacekeeping forces in Sri Lanka, said that India’s role was “distressing and disturbing”. Two international human rights groups said that India had failed to do enough to protect civilian lives."

Lucky & heavenly so far to live in small town USA.

Posted by C Love at May 31, 2009 8:28 PM

Dave,

Indeed Tom is doing what has been well described by himself and others as "Giving away your core competence." I know that I, for one, have to scramble like hell at times just to try and catch up with his ideas. It fascinates me to no end that some companies will spend a fortune seeking advice from consultants and consulting firms when the investment of some time and neural energy pointed at Tom's site and other materials could actually get them more results. It's not easy. It's all so radical to some. To those of us who have actually been familiar with Tom's work for about three decades or so, it's all actually simple to understand, really. Damn hard to implement at times, but then again "Anything worth doing..." well, you know how that goes.

Some people knock Tom and question him about measurable results, etc., but I would question whether they've given away 1/10, or even 1/100 the value that Tom has. I've bought the man's books and tapes and all that, but what I've spent doesn't even represent a fraction of what I've gotten in return for a relatively minimum investment. The stock market should be so sweet, huh?

If it were merely the quality of Tom's work that I had to go on, I'd give Tom an A+ for lack of any higher possible grade. But when you DO factor in the man's generosity (he could just sit on his derriere and collect his book sales income and speaking fees and say "I'm too high and mighty to bother with you" but he doesn't)... well, I've never seen a more generous person with his time and efforts. All the more reason I not only want to take proper advantage of the purpose of Tom's website and blogs, but I also want to show my appreciation by being generous and giving with my time and efforts, too, while being a respectful guest.

Posted by Dan Gunter at May 31, 2009 10:39 PM

C Love: Nobody's is denial about the unique problems that India faces. The Maoist problem is very real and I do agree that successive governments have failed to contain the menace. However, as far as the Mumbai massacre is concerned, it had caught the country totally unawares. When armed and suicidal terrorists take control of a luxury hotel full of guests, you would agree it takes strategy and judicious use of force rather than an all-out flushing offensive. A crisis like this requires trained commandos to take charge but the Mumbai police did its best before the commandos took charge. I'm sure you know that Mumbai police lost some of their best officers in the bargain (Some say it was foolhardiness on their part). They probably did not understand the seriousness of the crisis but instead of waiting and watching till the commandos came, they did what best they could. One must remember that the capture of the lone surviving terrorist was thanks to the effort of Mumbai police and a cop gave up his life for that.

Each moment of the rescue operation was watched by dozens of cameras (blame the overenthusistic, sometimes irresponsible media) and nobody has found any evidence of a collusion. Assigning complicity blame on the authorities for this incident is akin to saying the American administration was hand-in-glove with the 9/11 attackers.

Posted by Subir Ghosh at June 1, 2009 1:37 AM

Subir, thank you for sharing your feelings and thoughts with all of us. The Mumbai massacre was a very tragic event. As with all "past" events it is very easy for us "outsiders" to look back and posit theories, conjecture, and point fingers. Yet as with all things past, none of us can really say that had we been the ones -- there, at that moment in time, under those circumstances -- making the decisions, we would have done any differently or any better.

My humble greetings to you, my friend. I hope you will share with us your thoughts, ideas, and experiences in the way of quality and excellence. I look forward to hearing what you have to share. We may be sitting and sharing from different parts of the world, but it is indeed the same world, and it is the same Sun that shines on you today that will shine upon all of us.

We are not so different. We just get so caught up in the drive to differentiate ourselves that we sometimes forget (or even worse -- try to deny) our simple and often flawed humanity in the process. Unfortunately, dignity tends to get thrown out at times, also.

Your contributions here are most welcomed and eagerly anticipated by me.

Posted by Dan Gunter at June 1, 2009 2:45 AM

I enjoyed the Quality slides, and especially this one: Quality is making mistakes when trying new things!!

Enjoy your stay @ New Delhi!!

Posted by Vijay at June 1, 2009 3:48 AM

Dan: Thank you for the sobering thoughts. I believe Excellence, when it gets embedded in our DNA, plays out even in the most trying of circumstances, even when terrorists are on a killing spree!

"The Harbour Bar's hostess, who had remained at her post, motioned to us that it was safe to make a run for the stairwell. She mentioned, in passing, that there was a dead body right outside in the corridor. We believe this courageous woman was murdered after we ran away."

Many employees of the Taj risked/lost their lives to ensure safety of the guests. How's that for Excellence?

You can read the full post here --> http://www.forbes.com/2008/12/01/mumbai-terror-taj-oped-cx_mp_1201pollack.html

Posted by Subir Ghosh at June 1, 2009 4:10 AM

Thank you, TP, for the Quality slides. I too enjoyed them and found this one particularly beautiful:

"Quality is an act of love."

The wonderful thing about this statement is that we are forever growing in love, but without the basis of it there is little impetus to move forward in quality. We may do a great many things because it is required of us, but to do so in love distinguishes between quality and obligation. While the latter alone may lead to quality, love makes the difference in not only what is done but how it is done. Are we doing what we are doing with joy? Love too makes the difference in this.

Of love and joy, quality is the result.

Again, thanks!

Posted by Judith Ellis at June 1, 2009 4:30 AM

Wow! Thank you Dan for the intervention. Re your change recipe, along with hope I would add a hefty dash of dissatisfaction with the status quo. As in "this should be better than it is". viagra for sale without prescription and next day delivery

Posted by RobCH at June 1, 2009 4:44 AM

RobCH, thank you. An Excellent addition. And it applies to my general feeling about benchmarking. "As good as" may seem like "quality" and indeed it might represent a significant improvement for some, but striving to be "THE BEST" and redefining the standard... now that's "WOW!"

Posted by Dan Gunter at June 1, 2009 6:17 AM

Indeed Dan, and it forces us to define "best" or "excellence" specifically rather than just applying aimless change for change's sake.

Posted by RobCH at June 1, 2009 6:34 AM

RobCH, agreed. I'd prefer to "define" excellence, rather than merely try to imitate it. Being an imitator would be analogous to being a "generic" product in the grocery store. Nothing more than a "cheap copy." There's nothing special about that, unless all you want to appeal to is the budget-minded shopper. I'd rather appeal to the shopper who's looking for real quality -- something special, something unique.

Life is too short to be merely a "store brand."

Posted by Dan Gunter at June 1, 2009 7:00 AM

We apologize for this short break. And now, back to the Judith and Dan show.

Posted by Sheesh at June 1, 2009 12:10 PM

LOL! Interesting you would suggest such. Did you mean the Dan Gunther Show? My comments did not include replies, indirectly or directly, to Dan's, as I simply had not even read them. Scanning his comments briefly now I could see why you would think such; it appears that he has written his comments largely in response to mine. It's all good. where to order viagra

Posted by Judith Ellis at June 1, 2009 1:07 PM

Subir, if nowhere else in the world, I do indeed see something even greater than Excellence in that. Something that can not be put into words.

Posted by Dan Gunter at June 1, 2009 3:11 PM

Subir – just one of the many great joys of Tom's Blog is its international flavour. Thank you for sharing your views which are educational for those of us yet to visit your great country. We hope to visit next year to the village of Parakkanvilai in the Southern tip that my wife and I work for in a UK based charity. There is an active community development project happening there under the leadership of the Reverend Israel Selvanayagam. Israel was our leader in a 10 week multi-faith course of study in 2008 before he returned home to India to take up a senior theological teaching position. Continued blessings in your work in India. I share Dan’s best wishes to you and your family.

Posted by Trevor Gay at June 1, 2009 4:06 PM

Thanks Subir & bless all of us - especially loved ones & innocents lost to terrorism.

Posted by C Love at June 1, 2009 7:04 PM

PS - I'd say international secutity authorities that we pay top dollar citizen tax to protect us - in 7/7 & 9/11 & Mumbai were negligent. Complicit as mentioned before. Labour in the UK is negligent & being voted out - God save the Queen - she may be the last one left with any money - she & Branson & a few others with off shore accounts. :>)

Posted by C Love at June 1, 2009 7:29 PM

If that changes, they can always talk to Simon Cowell about a small loan. Maybe that's the cause of our economic woes... he's taking all the U.S. currency back across the pond???

Seriously, the place Trevor calls home is a place I've never had the privilege of visiting, but would love to. India, too, along with a few others. After all, we are all in this adventure together.

Posted by Dan Gunter at June 1, 2009 7:34 PM

DG - "We Print Money" in the USA - our manufacturing comeback? viagra cheapest online

India much more so than China is our world business & English speaking partner as a republic & democracy! :>)

Posted by C Love at June 2, 2009 6:04 AM

Hmm? No sovereignty there, eh? Maybe Rob had a point about our imperialism. Gotta get that book! What was it called again?

Posted by Judith Ellis at June 2, 2009 6:50 AM

Speaking of Indians from Asia...One of my interests is the history of immigrant groups in the United States.

I have worked in I.T., so I have worked with Indians. I have wondered if one reason for their success in this country are their networking skills and skills in building community.

Posted by Juanita Chavez Moshier at July 21, 2009 10:48 PM

Juanita, perhaps it not so much their skills in "building" community as it their having an underlying assumption that "community" already exists, thus they naturally network. Could it be that in Western culture we're so busy trying to figure out how to build structured, recognizable communities that we totally overlook the fact that one already exists?

I am not saying this IS true, I'm wondering "Could it be?"

As an analogy, we Americans fret over building our perfect dream homes. But in the rainforests and places like that, people see the forest itself as "home." It's already there. It surrounds them. They are a natural part of it, and it is a natural part of them. One could ask: If you built a beautiful brick home in the middle of a tropical rainforest, equipped it with air conditioning, and all the creature comforts we're so accustomed to, how in the world could you claim (brag) to live in the rainforest? You wouldn't be living in the rainforest. You'd be living in isolation, in a controlled environment, that just happens to be surrounded by a rainforest. You've cut yourself off -- set yourself apart -- from it.

Is that not what we often do in the workplace? In society? In groups? In teams? In families?

Posted by Dan Gunter at July 22, 2009 8:24 AM