Two interesting posts from Compound Thinking: What is Management?:

Well said. As Deming would say management’s responsibility is to work on improving the system (to allow everyone in the system to do great work). This encompasses a wide variety of things. Creating sensible hiring processes. Designing systems that allow people to do great work and take pride in what they do. Providing a system of education and training.

What’s wrong with MBAs?:

There certainly is something about MBA graduates that they often focus on measuring how important they are and how much they should be paid. I think his statement that managers should be dedicated to helping others achieve greatness. This can run counter to performance appraisals schemes where people have to claim responsibility for successes in order to get more cash. It is hard enough to move toward great systems when you have to have credit for each success fought over so it is known who gets the spoils it is much harder.

Related: Joel’s MBA - Deming’s 14 obligations of management - posts about respect for people - Seven Deadly Diseases