Failure Quote by W. Edwards Deming
“A manager of people knows that in this stable state it is distracting to tell the worker about a mistake.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Out of the Crisis, 1982
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.
