The strength of classical management lies in the confidence that is adherents have in its ever-lasting rightness. Based on ideas from 300 years ago, when business and society were markedly different, they remain with us today and are staunchly defended as correct for our time and beyond. The ideas … [Read more...] about Classical Management Cycle
The Back Story – Management Mysterium
This is the back story to the book Management Mysterium. Management Mysterium is a follow-on to The Triumph of Classical Management Over Lean Management (2018) and Irrational Institutions (2020). It adds to this body of work by examining invisible aspects of leadership and management practice: … [Read more...] about The Back Story – Management Mysterium
The Back Story – Irrational Institutions
This is the back story to the book Irrational Institutions. Irrational Institutions is a follow-on to my 2018 book, The Triumph of Classical Management Over Lean Management, which meticulously examined the problem of why leaders resist or reject Lean management. It succeeded at providing a … [Read more...] about The Back Story – Irrational Institutions
Understanding the Institution of Leadership
When organizations struggle or fail to produce a Lean transformation (the "effect"), the causes commonly cited include: Lack of management support Leaders not personally engaged Fear of change or failure Poor communication No sense of urgency No training or poor training Middle … [Read more...] about Understanding the Institution of Leadership
Freeish Trade, Economic Nationalism, and Lean
When I worked as a supply chain manager in the mid-1990s, I faced tremendous pressure from company leaders to offshore large chunks of the $106 million in annual spend of the work supplied to us by some 50-plus first-tier manufacturers located in the Connecticut river valley. I resisted that … [Read more...] about Freeish Trade, Economic Nationalism, and Lean