Click on image to enlarge. 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 … [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 … [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