Management?
I've come over all peculiar ...
And there was me thinking I was being a bit of a devil's advocate. I'm pleased to see that there are constructive comments out there, but they still don't provide the "how?". That's the trick. Come up with a means to achieve all the good stuff (and it is all good stuff) and you could be onto a winner. Trouble is, with so much hot air and belly-aching out there as well, the constructive ideas disappear into the swamp.
Just out of interest, how many of you have taken part in any sort of "management" initiative or workgroup or local improvement project? Of those who have, how many only did it because they'd get paid in hard cash for the time (i.e. AAVAs, overtime etc.)? How many WILLINGLY volunteer their own time to help?
I've been with NATS man and boy (1972 til now) and I've probably seen more initiatives and reviews than most. I have taken part in a few of them (mostly when I was young, keen and thought I could change the world) and I found that the process was always a bit hurried and seemed, at the time, to be very relevant. That was generally followed by feelings of "why did I waste my time", but looking back on it all I CAN see the changes in which I played a part and most of them were successful in terms of improving performance both operational and in general efficiency terms.
If you want to change the direction of the bus, it's important that you don't stand outside and, worse still right in front of it, waving your arms about and shouting a lot, because you'll get left behind or run over. It's always best being on the bus so you can argue with the driver and conductor, maybe even lead the rest of the passengers in a sing-song (sorry, getting too enthusiastic there). That way you have the chance to change the course, slowing it down or stopping it. I'd rather be inside.
I didn't use the aircraft example, because their all hijack proof these days. Damn - what a thought!
ST