Turn the Ship Around!

FIND THE GENETIC CODE AND REWRITE IT is a mechanism for CONTROL. The first step in changing the genetic code of any organization or system is delegating control, or decision-making authority, as much as is comfortable, and then adding a pinch more. This isn’t an empowerment “program.” It’s changing the way the organization controls decisions in an enduring, personal way. (Location 1059)

On Santa Fe, doing well on inspections was going to be the natural outcome of being excellent, not the goal. Operational and tactical excellence and preparedness for service to the country were what mattered. If we were excellent and prepared, the drills and inspections would take care of themselves. (Location 1323)

The emphasis in the book thus far has been on pushing decision making and control to lower and lower levels in the organization. We found, however, that control by itself wasn’t enough. The chapters in this part will focus on the mechanisms we employed to strengthen technical competence. They are: Take deliberate action. We learn (everywhere, all the time). Don’t brief, certify. Continually and consistently repeat the message. Specify goals, not methods. (Location 1783)

Deliberate action was accepted by the nuclear-trained personnel fairly readily because it built on a concept they had been exposed to at nuclear power school called “point and shoot.” Unfortunately, deliberate action was a tough sell with much of the rest of the crew, and we would ultimately pay for that. (Location 1859)

Note: Measure twice cut once

Specifying to the crew that the true objective was to put the fire out as quickly as possible was a mechanism primarily for competence. SPECIFYING GOALS, NOT METHODS is a mechanism for COMPETENCE. (Location 2366)

It’s hard to find a leadership book that doesn’t encourage us to “take care of our people.” What I learned is this: Taking care of your people does not mean protecting them from the consequences of their own behavior. That’s the path to irresponsibility. What it does mean is giving them every available tool and advantage to achieve their aims in life, beyond the specifics of the job. In some cases that meant further education; in other cases crewmen’s goals were incompatible with Navy life and they separated on good terms. (Location 2529)