In Their Own Words

In our July 2018 interview podcast, his 7th session with Tripp, Superintendent David Langford reflects on the efforts of the entire staff of Ingenium Charter Schools to move from “theory to practice” in their understanding and application of the Deming philosophy. Highlights include: David’s (new) role as superintendent Ingenium operates with 6 schools across Los Angeles, CA Restoring joy and meaning to learning as Ingenium’s constancy of purpose Meaningful and relevant learning Moving from theory into practice 5 areas of practice (focus): SoPK, intrinsic motivation, continual improvement, neuroscience, and (project-based) quality learning experiences Student involvement Dashboards for monitoring joy in work Students learning about common and special causes of variation Student feedback on their experiences within Ingenium schools Neuroscience research For more information about David's current work with Ingenium Schools, please visit ingeniumfoundation.org

In our June 2018 interview podcast, his 1st session with Tripp, Jean-Marie Gogue reflects on his interactions and memories of working with Dr. Deming, beginning in November 1978 in Tokyo. Highlights include: Inviting Dr. Deming to speak in Paris in 1980 Dr. Deming's commentary on leadership Use of control charts Attending Dr. Deming's Four-Day Seminar in Switzerland in 1993 Attending first Four-Day Seminar in the UK in 1987 Starting the French Deming Association in 1988

In our May 2018 interview podcast, his 4th session with Tripp, Kevin Cahill, Executive Director, reflects on the 25th anniversary of The Deming Institute.. Highlights include: Latest news from The Deming Institute Creating the future of the Institute Use of ED software, from Acquate 2018 Deming Institute Conference at Bryce Canyon National Park Southern Utah University's W. Edwards Deming Incubator for Public Affairs (WEDIPA), under the direction of Professor Ravi Roy, has become the Quality, Innovation & Leadership Incubator Recent visit to Ingenium Schools The Deming Institute's 25th Anniversary Conference, October 5-6, 2018, Manhattan Beach, California (4 miles south of LAX) 3rd Edition of The New Economics, including a new chapter (#11), set for release in the fall of 2018 Ongoing partnership with Aileron A new initiative to create greater access to the Deming philosophy

In our November 2017 podcast, his 3rd session with Tripp, Kevin Cahill, Executive Director, reflects on the first 24 years of operation of The Deming Institute, founded by Dr. Deming before his passing in 1993. Highlights include: A brief history of The Deming Institute The restated aim, "Enriching society through the Deming philosophy" 46 interview podcasts and an ever-growing reach Plans ahead for The Deming Institute Resource development Moving from an internal focus to better serving constituents Partnerships and engagements Presentation at TEDxSUN New workshop - Shifting from "Me" to "We" Thinking and Action Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale and Hurricane Harvey Moving from crisis to cooperation Future of The Deming Institute Biggest challenges Expanding reach 25th Anniversary - 2018 Operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, not a foundation Amazon Smiles New website - expanded capability How to donate Legacy  

In our October 2017 podcast, his first session with Tripp, Joshua Macht, Executive Vice President, Product Innovation, and Group Publisher of the Harvard Business Review (HBR) Group, shares his goal of how to recast management ideas to those new to management, with a focus on innovation, strategy, and core principles of leadership.    Long before he traveled to Gothenberg, Sweden in 2016 to attend an international healthcare conference, Josh was aware of Dr. Deming as an "old friend" of management, much the same as he assessed Peter Drucker.   Yet, upon witnessing Dr. Don Berwick conduct the classic "red bead experiment," he quickly joined the ranks of those deeply struck by the revelation that the performance of willing workers in any organization is largely governed by the system itself, far more than the performance of the workers taken separately.   So began his desire to review a series of videos and books about Dr. Deming, leading to his HBR article in 2016, a 6-page tribute to Dr. Deming, "The management thinker we should never have forgotten." In parallel, he also wrote about Dr. Deming in a 2016 article for the Boston Globe. Interview highlights include:  What’s happening at the HBR – expansion, podcasts, innovation, new and expanded audience Thinking systemically Needs of young professionals New HBR product launched in India, ASCEND Lasting impressions of the red bead experiment, including whimsical measures of quality Now, more than ever, the need for a refresher on Dr. Deming Layoffs and the erosion of trust How good people fall prey to a bad system Dr. Deming’s world of human nature Efforts that obliterate trust Barriers to success How workers treat each other in ways that are counter-productive Taylorism vs. Deming management HBR and the Watertown (Massachusetts) Arsenal, an early site of Taylorism Organizational undercurrents of “Us” vs “Them” Passion for innovation and a role as a digital renegade The need to be useful and feel valued The joy of learning

In our September 2017 podcast, her first session with Tripp, Lori Fry, a business management consultant from Columbus, Ohio, shares her inspiration for launching her "Dignity (at work) Project."   Through a partnership with The Deming Institute, every month, beginning in June, Lori will share posts from her website, www.dignityatworkproject.com. From her website, Lori is "on a mission to bring dignity back to work in the American workforce.  To transform our economy, we first must transform ourselves and our companies.  Our aim is to bring dignity and joy back to work. The work of Dr. Deming and others who have contributed to expanding his body of work over the years provide the basis for what’s to come." Lori adds "Our dysfunction with skilled labor is the tip of the iceberg. Below the surface are the symptoms of a workforce that’s been robbed of dignity in the name of greater productivity and short-term profits. More than 30 years ago, W. Edwards Deming foresaw our current condition, and in 1982 he published Out of the Crisis, a theory of management declaring American companies require nothing less than a transformation of management. American management failed to listen. The economy was expanding; business was booming – until it wasn’t – and we know what has happened since." As a 20+ year student of Dr. Deming's theory of management, Lori brings a passionate voice for the possibilities of teamwork and collaboration available to all organizations.   Interview highlights include:  her experience in "human capital management" her corporate training background and the lingering questions, notably "What if we train our people and they leave the company?" and "What if we don't (train them) and they stay?"  taking a break from business management consulting to support her family's farming business her introduction to Deming management as she learned more and more about Deming management, what stood out to her where change begins feedback on her first post, Don't Gamble with Your Company's Future reflections on her post about her son's education system, Tree climbing or life-long learning – what’s the real AIM of our education system? her blog audience general blog feedback 

In our August 2017 podcast, Francis Petit, Associate Dean for Global Initiatives and Partnerships for Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business in New York City, shares highlights of a recent visit to Japan with Executive MBA students.    Of particular interest is his feedback on the students’ exposure to the influence of Deming management during their travels.   Having presented lectures in Fordham’s Deming Scholar’s MBA program, Francis thought to include a visit to the offices of Japan’s Union of Scientists and Engineers, also known as JUSE, and use this opportunity for the MBA students to learn about Dr. Deming’s influence on Japan through the eyes of JUSE members.    He was delighted to be hosted by JUSE’s Secretary General, Ichiro Kotsuka, who provided an explanation of the origins of the Deming Prize, his experience in collaborating with Dr. Deming, as well as insights on the selection process for the Deming Prize. Interview highlights include: an explanation of the role of this trip to Japan in a “capstone” course for the MBA students demographics of the students first impressions on arriving in Japan and the systems awareness experienced within Narita Airport how the students prepared for visiting JUSE the impact of Dr. Deming’s theory of management on Secretary General Kotsuka’s personal and professional life  the contrast the students found between a longer term approach for business growth in Japan, with the shorter term focus in their respective organizations, including pressure for quantum growth  the students’ experience with variable compensation systems, including bonuses and commissions training received by the students to maximize their personal performance during performance appraisals why sales managers are less likely to be amongst the students in Fordham’s MBA programs impressions of the commitment of Japanese companies towards their employees

In our July 2017 podcast, his first session with Tripp, Bill Cooper shares stories on his 11-year relationship with Dr. Deming, starting with being one of 22 attendees in a 1982 Four Day seminar with Dr. Deming. At the time, Bill was serving as the Senior Executive at the North Island Naval Air Station, with Phil Monroe serving as the senior naval officer.   A few years later, Phil, as Commanding Officer of North Island, approved funding for Bill to attend an intensive, year-long, “quality management for executives" seminar, led by Myron Tribus and held at MIT.  Guest lectures were provided by Kosaku Yoshida, a doctoral student of Dr. Deming, and Yoshikazu Tsuda, former counsellor at the Union of Japanese Scientists & Engineers (JUSE). As a student of management and leadership theories, ranging from Ken Blanchard to Peter Drucker, Bill met Dr. Deming at a time when he (Bill) was providing in-house leadership classes at North Island, as well as for the National Graduate School, a local private university.  Inspired by Dr. Deming, all the while trying to get his mind around his theory of management, Bill partnered with Laurie Broedling to launch the first “Deming User Group” in the US, based in San Diego.   Bill’s motor home served as a convenient dinner venue when Dr. Deming was in southern California and Bill would drive to the latest site of Dr. Deming’s ever popular Four Day seminar.   He has warm memories of Dr. Deming’s fondness for clam chowder, martini’s, and ice cream. Interview highlights include:  Leading a staff of 4400+ employees, who worked “with” Bill, not “for” him The difference between parenting with 1 kid and 2 or more kids Can you teach an old dog new tricks? His role with the launch of the TQM movement, including Dr. Deming’s views on TQM Why Bill was intrigued by Dr. Deming’s focus on continuous improvement Dr. Deming’s response to an invitation from Lee Iacocca to consult for Chrysler Hosting “Round Table” interviews with Dr. Deming and his role as “the perfect foil,” as well as “straight man,” for Dr. Deming Dr. Deming’s Socratic style in his 1-on-1 meetings with Bill, including his introduction to the Law of Extreme Values Myron Tribus’ 85/15 rule and the difference between “working in” and “working on” a system Improving organizations by improving systems Struggling with the question of “Who owns the system?” The vital need to share a vision Fear vs. anxiety Answers to his favorite question, “What is the improvement strategy that your management team is articulating?” Bill’s thoughts on the difference between management and leadership Retiring from North Island in 1988 to form a “Deming” consultancy, with Phil Monroe as his partner

In our June 2017 podcast, his first session with Tripp, Phil Monroe shares stories on his introduction to Dr. Deming, leading to his personal transformation as a naval officer and later a post-Navy career as a quality management consultant, city council member, and, currently, board member of a hospital in Coronado, California. Beginning with meeting Dr. Deming in 1983, while serving as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Rework Facility at North Island Naval Air Station, Coronado, Phil reminisces about his first exposure to Deming management.  The meeting was arranged by Bill Cooper, Tripp’s next podcast guest (our July 2017 edition), and the senior civilian at this 6,000+ person Navy operation.  Highlights include:  What caused Dr. Deming to "look down his nose" at Phil, in front of 350 supervisors Phil’s transformation moment, captured on film, including which of the 14 Points Phil was in violation of, according to Dr. Deming Being challenged by Dr. Deming on his MBO style of management Applying Deming management to an incident involving a Metropolitan Transit Service (MTS) bus carrying school children.  Phil was serving as an MTS Board member and thought the wrong people received disciplinary punishment; i.e. time off without pay. What is top management’s responsibility? The influence of Phil’s academic background at Cornell University Shifting his thinking on problems from “Who did it?” to “What in the process caused this to happen?” World-wide Quality Management consulting with Bill Cooper Numerical illiteracy Impressions of the status of the practice of SPC today What is a statistician’s job? The theory of variation of as the cornerstone of Dr. Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge The "Phil Monroe" change

In our May 2017 podcast, his sixth session with Tripp (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th), David Langford, author, consultant, President, Ingenium Schools, and, 2017 ASQ Deming Medal Recipient, offers insights on his efforts to lead a Deming transformation within Ingenium Schools. In his latest podcast, David reflects on 31 years of learning and applying the Deming philosophy to enrich society, with a focus on advancing education systems.   Beginning with his first conversation with Dr. Deming in 1986, when he personally answered David’s phone call from Sitka, Alaska, he has been on a personal learning journey, including mentored from Dr. Deming.   With encouragement from Dr. Deming, David reached out to Myron Tribus, who traveled to Sitka to learn more about David’s efforts to bring Dr. Deming’s theory of management to his high school education system.   Soon thereafter, David and Myron were speaking together at conferences about their efforts to improve education systems, using a Deming lens. Fast forward to 2016, when David was selected to serve as president of Ingenium Schools and shift from “living vicariously as a consultant” (with Langford Learning) to “get back to the laboratory” of an education system in a full-time capacity.  In this month’s podcast, David goes down memory lane with Tripp to explore topics such as:  His first phone call with Dr. Deming Collaborating with his mentor, Myron Tribus A 25+ year career as a consultant with Langford Learning An offer from founder and previous president, Glenn Noreen, to join Ingenium Schools Daily Innovation at Ingenium Schools, with 160+ employees Have the fundamentals in education changed? Finding meaning in the Pythagorean Theorem Profound Learning Experiences Looking for the smallest things which can have the biggest impact Making decisions in a school system, both with and without the System of Profound Knowledge Running meetings with "our" agenda vs. "the boss's" agenda What teachers can do in a class room, in the absence of pre-determined answers to their questions When teachers shift roles from managing behaviors to mentoring Shifting from 1-way to 2-way conversations “Ingenium Huddles” Receiving the 2017 Deming Medal from the American Society for Quality For more information about David's current work with Ingenium Schools, please visit ingeniumfoundation.org