Category Archives: Innovation

How to Run Any Organization – From the “Both…And…” Mind

Posted on July 31, 2022 by complexified

I wrote this in 2011. Dear FB popped it up as a memory from a 2020 post. Needed now as much as ever… Now, as much or more than ever. How to run government (or any org)… .. think deeply … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptive Capacity, Change, Complexity, Continuous Process Improvement, Creativity, Dialogue, Government Improvement, Innovation, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A New Day for the Global Voice of Quality

Posted on July 5, 2014 by complexified

It has been a while since I explored the world of those committed to improving “quality.” My own work at the U.S. Department of Labor was focused on this for nearly 15 years. The quality improvement movement grew from the … Continue reading →

Posted in ASQ, Change, Complexity, Continuous Process Improvement, Government Improvement, Innovation, Leadership, Quality | Leave a comment

Negentropic: The 2d Law of Thermodynamics and Sustaining Improvement Efforts

Posted on October 15, 2013 by complexified

ASQ has “graduated” me to the status of a “Voices of Influence Alumni” blogger.  Hopefully my advanced studies in Blogology have helped me, and those reading this blog 🙂 Recently, in his monthly “View From the Q,” ASQ Executive Paul … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptive Capacity, ASQ, Change, Complexity, Continuous Process Improvement, Innovation, Leadership, Quality | 2 Comments

“Moneyball Government” – Evidence and Trials in the “Court” of the Organization

Posted on August 21, 2013 by complexified

In the past year, several ideas have dominated the discourse on improving government.  A couple of months ago, the President called for improving the management and results of government.  A recent OMB Memorandum, M-13-17, specifically calls for “evidence based management” … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptive Capacity, Change, Complexity, Continuous Process Improvement, Government Improvement, Innovation, Leadership | Leave a comment

Us vs. Them: Leading for the Org, or for the People?

Posted on August 21, 2013 by complexified

The following is a comment I wrote in response to someone’s notion that in leadership, you might WANT to put “people first,” but that you really have to put the goals of the organization first. So… First, there is a … Continue reading →

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Drama, Dysfunction, Leadership and Culture: Build the Way Forward, Together

Posted on June 29, 2013 by complexified

My response to a post on a well-known blog about leadership, dealing with “drama” and the various forms of interpersonal dysfunction in an organization. The writer cites a CEO he knows, who claims he refuses to spend his time trying … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptive Capacity, Change, Complexity, Dialogue, Innovation, Networks | 1 Comment

Whose Q? GM’s New Quest for Quality

Posted on October 13, 2011 by complexified

Recently, Laurel Nelson-Rowe of ASQ, interviewed Terry Woychowski of general Motors.  Terry is GM’s recently-appointed VP for Global Quality.  In the interview’s video segments at  http://asq.org/blog/2011/09/the-ps-and-qs-of-the-new-general-motors/ we get a clear discussion of Mr. Woychowski’s vision for General Motors. One thing particularly … Continue reading →

Posted in ASQ, Change, Continuous Process Improvement, Creativity, Innovation, Quality | 1 Comment

Competitive Advantage: Can we self-organize our way back?

Posted on September 14, 2011 by complexified

In a well-publicized recent report, the World Economic Forum had the United States slipping to fifth place in competitiveness.  You can read about the report at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44423519/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/t/us-falls-th-global-competitiveness-survey-shows/?GT1=43001 The article notes the slip is in part due to “declining faith in US … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Complexity, Continuous Process Improvement, Education, Government Improvement, Innovation, Social Responsibility | Leave a comment

Leadership for Turbulent Times: the changing role of leaders

Posted on August 31, 2011 by complexified

“. . . competition, we see now, is destructive. It would be better if everyone would work together as a system, with the aim for everybody to win. What we need is cooperation and transformation to a new style of … Continue reading →

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The “EX” Factors: Ford’s Quality Journey

Posted on June 28, 2011 by complexified

Last month I attended the annual World Conference on Quality and Improvement in Pittsburgh.  It was an exciting time for me, as I supported the publication of my Primer on Complexity and Quality, and gave a very well-attended session on … Continue reading →

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