Competition Quote by W. Edwards Deming
“A system must be managed. It will not manage itself. Left to themselves in the Western world, components become selfish, competitive. We cannot afford the destructive effect of competition.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Out of the Crisis, W. Edwards Deming, 1982
Systems require active oversight; without it, individual parts act in self‑interest, harming overall performance.
In simple terms: Systems need management; otherwise they act selfishly.
Key Takeaway
Provide coordinated leadership to align components.
Themes
management
systems
competition
leadership
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
advisory
strategic
When to use this quote
- corporate restructuring
- public policy
- team projects
- resource allocation
Key Concepts
systems theory
organizational behavior
collective responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance oversight with autonomy?
- What mechanisms prevent competition from becoming destructive?
A Different Perspective
Effective management can be costly and may stifle innovation if overly rigid.
