Abstract value
“You can’t improve what you don’t measure.” Often attributed to Peter Drucker, this quote has elicited plenty of admiration and other things… I recently found out Peter Drucker did not make this statement — Feel free to share the correct information with me on this — I have always found the statement strange coming from someone such as Peter Drucker.
I have been more fond of, “It is wrong to suppose that if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it — a costly myth.” — W. Edwards Deming, The New Economics.
Interestingly, one of the quotes frequently misattributed to Dr. Deming is, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” Technically, it is correctly attributed to him; it is a direct quote. However, I believe it would be more accurate to say it is misattributed. The original quote, when examined carefully, actually conveys the opposite of what most people think. This highlights the common danger of using quotes without context. It seems that this phenomenon has also occurred with Peter Drucker.
Evidently, some individuals are inclined to uphold certain metrics and KPIs that align with their preferred narrative. They enthusiastically proclaim these quotes to validate their correctness. However, the truth is that not everything of value can be measured, or at least not measured using standard methods. Abstract values often require evaluation through their resulting outcomes. Nevertheless, these intangible aspects such as creativity, people, and innovation can still be effectively managed, leading to beneficial results.
However, we must know what we are doing and how to speak about what we are doing, “If you can’t describe what you’re doing as a process, then you don’t know what you’re doing.” — William Edwards Deming
In considering the ideal team members, we must decide between those who possess a fervent desire to learn and those who exhibit exceptional skills coupled with an air of superiority. Is our focus on managing individuals or fostering innovation?
I look for four things in people and companies:
- Passion for learning
- Critical thinking
- Investigative
- Process-oriented
A company requires a creative and design department, as well as a business and marketing department, both falling under the umbrella of research and development (R&D). My main focus is on achieving a seamless integration between R&D, innovation, and brand design and development. This integration ultimately leads to successful business outcomes, effective advertising, and impactful marketing efforts.
I do not identify as an entrepreneur, but rather as an intrapreneur. My contributions primarily revolve around promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equity, with a particular emphasis on universal design and creating opportunities for individuals. People have two fundamental desires: to be acknowledged and to feel valuable and useful.
By fostering an environment that accommodates different opinions and encourages exploration, we can cultivate a valuable team. Without this, the sense of safety diminishes. If we aspire for change, it must begin with reevaluating how work and education are conducted and how they impact the end user — the people. Discipline, patience, and kindness are essential in this endeavor.
