Out of the Crisis.Org

[Louis Altazan]

Fallacy four: Work is work, it’s not supposed to be fun.

Dr. Deming was clear in point twelve. His message was remove obstacles to pride of workmanship, and work to instill joy in work. By joy in work, I do not think people need to be entertained, nor have a false sense of happiness, with everyone afraid not to smile. Clearly work has a serious side, but workers are also entitled to a sense of pride in the work they do. There is absolutely no reason workers should not enjoy the work they do. I feel without joy in work a manager will have a very difficult time achieving their other aims.

Joy in work is also not to be confused with everyone doing only as they please. I do not feel this popular definition of joy is at all valid. My observation has always been people are happiest when they employ self- discipline; Doing well that which they know needs to be done and avoiding harmful excesses.

My idea is, joy in work is best aided by providing things a worker needs to properly perform the job that has been clearly defined. Some components are proper tooling, information, a comfortable environment and sufficient time. How much time? I believe a worker should release a job when they are satisfied they have done their best.

This is a far cry from a goals and incentive environment where the staff is expected to compete with the other staff. Rather, staff members strive to do ever better work in less time. They do this because that is the aim and it pleases them to do so. They compete with their own previous best and are not compared, one to another. Ever increasing quality is a matter of pride and the time/cost relationship is understood.

I feel this is one of the least understood and least employed of Deming’s points. It may be insufficient in itself to save a failing company [all fourteen points are needed.] That said, it is an excellent place to start. Not only is work supposed to be fun, I feel true success may not be possible unless it is.

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Louis Altazan
Owner/Manager AGCO Automotive Corporation
Baton Rouge, LA