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Coaching vs Judging: Role of a Manager in Education (Part 5)

05/31/2023 |

In part 5 of this series, David and Andrew discuss the pitfalls of managers acting as judges versus the benefits of acting as a coach. They explore the history of traditional management practices, and how Dr. Deming’s philosophy creates happier, healthier, and more productive workplaces.

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Secret Weapon for Improvement: Deming in Schools Case Study with John Dues (Part 5)

05/24/2023 |

Is there a secret weapon for improvement? Yes! John and Andrew discuss how students fit into improvement projects – and how that translates to businesses.

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The End of Perfection: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 4)

05/17/2023 |

What’s the difference between “perfect” and “that will work?” We use them interchangeably all the time. In this episode, Bill and Andrew discuss what “perfect” means and why it’s standing in the way of innovation and improvement at work and at home.

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Learning to Learn: Role of a Manager in Education (Part 4)

05/10/2023 |

Dr. Deming encouraged lifelong learning for everyone, but particularly for managers and leaders. In this episode, David and Andrew talk about Deming’s fourth point in his list for The Role of the Manager of People After the Transformation.

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Building Knowledge Through Predictions: Deming in Schools Case Study with John Dues (Part 4)

05/03/2023 |

In this episode (part 4 of the series), John and Andrew continue their discussion from part 3. They talk about how to use data charting in combination with the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle to gain the knowledge managers need to lead effectively.

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Why Variation Matters: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 3)

04/26/2023 |

In this episode, Bill and Andrew discuss variation, the impossibility of true interchangeability and why we need to apply “shades of gray” thinking at work. Bill shares the key question that will take your organization beyond “meets specifications” and help improve your processes, so you can delight your customers.

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Optimizing Diversity: Role of a Manager in Education (Part 3)

04/19/2023 |

In this third discussion in a series on the Role of a Manager, David and Andrew discuss how a manager should view, and treat, people. Deming wrote, “It’s just not ranking people, it is instead recognition of differences between people and an intent to put everybody in position for development.” David applies this to education: literally looking at how to support everyone with limited resources.

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Making Data Meaningful: Deming in Schools Case Study with John Dues (Part 3)

04/12/2023 |

Education is often touted as data- or evidence-driven. But in this discussion, John Dues contends that educational data is often fiction, given how easy it is to distort, both via the inputs and outputs and through manipulation.

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Meeting Requirements Is Not Enough: Awaken Your Inner Deming (Part 2)

04/07/2023 |

What is quality? Does it mean always meeting specifications? What if the calculus for specifications means little and tells managers almost nothing about the process or its potential for improvement? Dr. Bill Bellows discusses the negative consequences of this kind of black-and-white thinking and what to do about it.

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Fostering Cooperation: Role of a Manager in Education (Part 2)

03/29/2023 |

In this episode, Andrew and David discuss how managers can help people to see themselves as components in a system, working with those before and after them in the process of educating children – for the benefit of all.

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