"I'm doing this as I have a responsibility to make a difference"
[Dr W. Edwards Deming, 1900-1993]

[December 20th 2022]

Today we remember Dr W. Edwards Deming, who passed away 29 years ago today and upon whom much of our work is based. Just before his death, and whilst still teaching despite being very unwell, Deming was asked, "why don't you go home and get some rest?" ... he replied, “I’m doing this because I have a responsibility to make a difference” ... today we both celebrate his life and honor his life by building upon the knowledge he gave us to provide hope for the future ...

This brilliant article from the W. Edwards Deming Institute provides more background and I am one, of many, who continue to build upon Dr W. Edwards Deming's teachings ... Why? 

Well as Deming said ... “I’m doing this because I have a responsibility to make a difference.”

When asked what he would like to be remembered for in his native land Deming also replied, “I probably won’t even be remembered.” After pausing, he added: “Well, maybe ... as someone who spent his life trying to keep America from committing suicide.”

The article also refers to a phrase that has always stuck with writer when thinking about Dr. Deming’s influence, “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the old masters. Seek instead what the old masters sought.” [Basho, Japanese Poet, 1644-1694] ...

This also chimes very well with me ... and our work builds upon the work of visionary philosophers such as Aristotle too, which when combined together, provide much of the foundations for what we are doing, and why we are doing what we are doing ...

Iain McGilchrist recently said, we need to stop the world committing suicide, which is what it's currently doing ... and the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also recently said, "we are at the edge of an abyss, and moving in the wrong direction" ...

Where there is anguish there is hope ... and we are using Deming's work to understand the system and improve the system, starting with an area close to everyone's heart, education, the heartbeat that creates the future ... and is the future ...

 
Deming's insights help us to find a path to a better future, as highlighted in additional comments I recently made when referring to a post "Crisis, what Crisis?" and Systems Thinking being applied to Education ...

"As a big fan of Dr. W. Edwards Deming and Systems Thinking I couldn't agree more. To improve the 'education system' requires understanding of 'the system', and interventions that focus on improving 'the system'. Deming taught us many decades ago that the outcomes / results of 'a system' are over 90% a result of 'the system', not the people within it, and to improve outcomes / results we need to focus on the 'system', not the 'people'. Indeed, the people on the front line 'within a system' are often the most frustrated/stressed people as a result of that 'system', and will rally around to improve it given the opportunity ... interventions that directly focus on improving the 'system' are therefore vital, alongside close partnerships/collaborations of individuals, groups and organisations passionate and committed to seeing it change for the better ... we are both passionate and committed to helping in this area wherever we can as young people are our future ... and joining forces and working closely together will allow us to directly address the issues raised by Izzy Garbutt MYP in the Houses of Parliament [4th Nov. 2022]"

This is also the case in my recent comment referring to "How a bad culture can corrupt good people" ...

"This fully aligns with the pioneering work/teachings of Dr. W. Edwards Deming, who wrote the book "Out of the Crisis" and "The New Economics for Industry, Government, Education", helped pioneer / transform management practice, helped Japan rebuild after the war [awarded the 'Order of the Sacred Treasure' on behalf of Emperor Hirohito], and started a movement that will change the world forever and for the better ... founded on his work, and by addressing follow-up questions (e.g. what drives culture and changes culture) and building upon his teachings, we are continuing his work to help change the world for the better ... which links well with our vision and a recent post highlighting the importance of values, and 'a world where values are valued' ... "

We are busy joining forces with highly passionate people equally determined to make a difference and to create a world where people and communities thrive ... an exciting year ahead and I see a great deal of hope for the future ... as forces for good, underpinned by Deming's philosophies, come together and work together to make this so ... Wishing you good tidyings over the festive period and a Happy New Year!

David Clift, Founder of the Good Turns Foundation

© Good Turns Foundation 2022    [GTF20122022_01]