Antithesis of a Politician: The Good Quality Professional

The differences are extreme, but we have tools to define them

Mon, 11/05/2012 - 14:43

Have you ever wondered how most politicians are made? Where do they come from? It’s as if they live in a different dimension than the rest of us. They are definitely different from average quality folk. In fact, good quality professionals are the antithesis of most politicians. Explore with me, if you will, the differences between these two species of individuals that exist, unfortunately, with disproportionate power in this world.

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A politician’s best traits

My first close encounter with a politician was at my college graduation, where President George Bush Sr. gave the commencement speech. I was so moved by him and his speech that it colored my view of politics for a long time. When he shook my hand, I was so proud. Of course, no picture exists of that moment except the one in my mind. But it will always be there. A president shaking my hand!

It would be years before I would be able to understand U.S. politics, its pundits, and what you hear in the news about politics. Now that I do understand, my outlook has changed so much. No more visions of sugar plums. My picture-perfect moment is not so perfect anymore. I have come to the conclusion that politicians have traits considered undesirable by some of us.

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Comments

"Substituting the engineer for the politician is a very natural step forward. The engineer can do that which the politician can never do under any circumstances. The engineer creates and harmonizes while the politician can at best only rearrange what he has in hand." From "Today and Tomorrow" (1930).

Submitted by jeffdewar on Tue, 11/06/2012 - 14:08

I loved the technique of the comparative. I think it would be very interesting to continue this technique by comparing the quality profession to additional professions. Off the top of my head, how about teachers, artists, or physicians?

Hi Miriam: I recently wrote to Taran March about certifying political Parties to ISO 9001 and SA 8000 or ISO equivalent: you have focused the key issues, thank you. I don't think being a "good politician" is antithetical to being a "good quality professional": I'm sure you would sincerely recognize that, when working as a quality consultant or teacher or auditor, a lot of "politics" is involved. Differences are not extreme, therefore, they have only to balanced, for common benefit. We need Politicians, though they arrogantly think the world is theirs, which actually is not; but isn't it a key quality issue to make people aware of whom they really are? Thank you. 

Hi Umberto, I totally agree with you! Let's see what politicians have to say about objectives, policy, customer COMPLAINTS. I have thought about this too. Call me and we can see if any politician out there is willing to be put to the test. Hey our consulting office is doing it, and although it is easier said than done, now I not only believe in ISO, I think it is paramount to any business who wants to have a solid foundation.

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