Constructive Controversy

Just what is constructive controversy...have you experienced it or created it? Saying the phrase aloud sounds a bit ominous. Maybe it's like being cast into the lion's den--at his dinner time! Or, maybe it's more akin to being locked in a conference room with a co-worker (or more than one co-worker) that has very different views from yours. According to Kouzes' and Posner's "Credibility: How Leaders Gain and Lose It, Why People Demand It," the process is intended to "encourage thoughtful dissent" (2003). Interesting...while I would agree that giving the boss the benefit of varying points of view for decision-making is a big plus--the workers participating in the discussion need to bring their thickest skin. Even the most skilled leader cannot always predict the outcome of this process. From the workers' point of view, if the issues on the table are known to them, each is likely to decide how much he or she has at stake in the issue and base his/her level of participation on that. Maybe that's too cynical...Abraham Lincoln used this technique successfully during this presidency and brought out the best from the participants.

F O R D

Found On Road Dead? OR First On Race Day?

Please ask me if I would own a Ford and I'll tell you...oh, yes! Is owning a Ford luxury transportation? Well, it's about a close as my family will get for awhile. Our beautiful customized Ford Van gets us where we want to go "in-style." So, how did my family overcome the fear of owning a Ford? We believe in the company's commitment to quality in the U.S. car market.

The Wall Street Journal recently discussed Ford's survival strategy--to really get into the U.S. small car market--and the challenges that Ford's "small car" strategy will encounter. However, nothing in the article addressed overcoming the quality problems that have lead to the car-buying public coining acronyms for Ford--like "Fix Or Repair Daily." But, Ford didn't write this article.

Honestly, Ford may still have a long way to go to fully restore confidence in U.S. car-buyers, but the company is making great strides. Check out the July 12, 2008 article, "Top 10 Ford Motor Company Quality Success Stories" on Ford's website. This release proudly boasts, "The quality of Ford brand vehicles soared to the top of the charts, equalling that of Toyota and Honda, according to 2008 U.S. Global Quality Research Systems." The other nine success stories are equally impressive. The second success story particularly caught my eye..."virtual technology expertise worth sharing," because of its focus on line operators, ergonomics and efficiency. Ford may have found its golden nugget--leveraging its human capital.

Ford's website describes an "Investing in Quality" initiative to "ensure that Ford accelerates quality." Ford created the job, Quality Operating System Coordinator, first as a pilot position and then it became a permanent job. Quoting the website, this position provides a means for "UAW members to have control over quality." Ford is serious about quality--the individuals in this position must be Six Sigma Black Belts and Ford plans to have two such individuals in each plant (Ford digital snippets--available via the Investing in Quality link above).

Another great read is Bryce Hoffman's August 12, 2008 article in the Detroit News titled, "Ford jumps into quality race, Blue Oval adds training in vow to beat Toyota." This article confirms that Ford has fully committed to quality--and recognizes that its human capital is the way to get there! Quoting from the article, Ford has made the decision to "enroll hourly workers from each of its U.S. factories in a rigorous quality training program at Wayne State University that is usually reserved for managers." Wow!

So, maybe the old acronyms can be retired and replaced with "Found Organization's Real Driver"--its human capital. Go Ford!

My favorite "traditionalist" is...

An inspirational leader who is honest, competent and forward-thinking; and it has been my very good fortune to work with her.

Oh, there have been other "traditionalist" leaders along the way that have made a difference--ranging from the boss that required everything to be written in black ink and allowed only one staple in any size stack of papers to the boss whose management style was "intimidate by walking around." A discussion of those memories is best left to another time.

In contrast to those individuals, my favorite "traditionalist" not only let me FLY, she gave me wings. To that, she would say, "Hah!" And, she would tell you that I've always had wings and all that she did is step out of the way. She's very generous with praise, but, truth is, like the Wright brothers' attempts at flying--it has taken some false starts, but eventually the "craft" started getting off the ground. She has shown such confidence in me that I feel confident.

Although she (and I) know that any level of scrutiny would easily reveal all of my imperfections, she sees beyond them and focuses on the best in me. She reaches out for my contributions and makes me feel valuable. She always makes me feel that I bring something important and special to the table. Again, I can hear her saying, "Hah!" She would say that it would be hard to keep me away from the table and that I approach her.

She has taught me much about getting the best from the people that surround and support the leader. She cares about people. She notices and acknowledges my successes--and, to keep it real, she also knows when I'm not at my best. But, she creates an environment in which I feel comfortable taking risks.

She disagrees as often as she agrees with me, which has kept me grounded.

She shares tidbits of wisdom from time-to-time. My personal favorite is, "you're likely to meet the same people you passed on your way up if you find yourself winding your way back down--so be careful how you move up. "


The best thing about my favorite "traditionalist" is that she treats everyone this way!