| Comment Number: | OL-10502673 |
| Received: | 3/2/2005 3:15:06 PM |
| Subject: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment |
| Title: | National Security Personnel System |
| CFR Citation: | 5 CFR Chapter XCIX and Part 9901 |
| Attachment: | No Attachment |
Comments:
Remember W. Edwards Deming. He is the one who developed a business philosophy that the Japanese used to rebuild their war torn country expanding well into US markets, especially the automobile industry. During lectures Deming would discuss how workers were expected to perform their jobs without training or to follow opaque, written instructions. Offices and factories were riddled with fear. Arbitrary goals were given without a method to achieve them. Departments were put in competition with each other. Ridiculous slogans were offered exhorting employees to produce zero defects. Deming found it necessary repeatedly to remind audiences that in any group of people, no matter how bright, how skilled or how hard working, precisely half were below average. This is a sobering thought applied to, say, airline pilots. Safety depends on making sure the worst performer is competent. Instead, Americans tend to punish those below the midpoint and challenge others to rise even higher, a statistical impossibility. Employees who rate poorly in performance reviews become bitter and alienated. Deming was flatly against the use of merit ratings in any form. Just stop, was his advice. Here is what I say: I love competition. Under the new performance system I will excel at the expense of all others. I will out work you. I will work longer more productive hours. I will win your award as I will excel beyond your wildest dreams. Good luck in the game. If you do not perform well then listen to the words of management! "You're Fired"