I have worked at companies in the past where we were constantly struggling to climb out of what Seth Godin classified as Falling down the quality abyss.
His post struck a cord of remembrance and so I urge you to read it.
To summarize (bastardize?) his words there are two paths that can be taken.
- A path where accepting lower quality will breed a system of compromises that cause employees to care less ..leading to lower quality …… The Abyss.
- A path where you over focus on quality which raises expectations and wows people causing employees to further embrace quality …. The Ratchet.
He ends with the point “The challenge is to have the guts to care even when you’re not apparently rewarded for caring.”
If you are engaged and feel a great sense of pride when you reflect on your daily work then quality typically takes care of itself. You are helping with the Ratchet!
Keep cranking (or I guess a ratchet actually clicks).
Post in the comments if a ratchet clicks or clanks etc, or even something on the topic of quality
