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A manager of people knows that in this stable state it is…

“A manager of people knows that in this stable state it is distracting to tell the worker about a mistake.” quote by W. Edwards Deming
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“A manager of people knows that in this stable state it is distracting to tell the worker about a mistake.”

W. Edwards Deming

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A manager should avoid pointing out errors to workers in a stable environment because it distracts them.

In simple terms: Focus on stability, not blame.

Key Takeaway

Maintain focus on tasks.

Themes

management leadership communication mistakes

Mood

analytical practical

Type

management advice

When to use this quote

  • production lines
  • software development teams
  • customer service training
  • quality control processes

Key Concepts

systems thinking human factors error handling

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is it appropriate to address mistakes directly?
  • How does feedback timing affect performance?
A Different Perspective

Ignoring errors can let problems persist unnoticed.

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