Jul 31 2021
Follett in 1924: Use Operators’ Knowledge
Almost 100 years ago, Mary Parker Follett wrote: “And our aim in the […] organization of industry should be […] so to organize the plant that the workmen’s experience can be added to that of the expert; we must see just where their experience will be a plus matter, and we must plan to have the workmen learn more and more of the industry as a whole.”
Source: Follett, M. P. (2013 reprint). Creative Experience. United States: Martino Fine Books. (p. 20)
Michel Baudin‘s comments: Today, we would say “manufacturing” rather than “industry,” and “operator” rather than “workmen.” This is the earliest text I have seen that recommends engaging shop floor operators in improvement activities and training them to understand the broader picture.
Taylor wanted to control operators so that they couldn’t collude to curtail output. The Gilbreths wanted to make their work easier. Follett wants to tap into their knowledge and combine it with the experts’ in order to achieve better outcomes. And she also believes in their ability to learn.
In these few words, she showed more respect for the humanity of the operators than I recall seeing from her immediate precursors and contemporaries.
#maryparkerfollett, #respectforhumanity, #traceyrichardson
July 31, 2021 @ 3:05 pm
Dr. Lillian Gilbreth spoke of extensively of the importance of worker training and participation in improvement in her 1915 doctoral dissertation. See https://bobemiliani.com/product/eliminating-waste-in-teaching/
August 19, 2021 @ 2:58 pm
I also remember Lillian Gilbreth discussing something similar in The Psychology of Management. It’s been a while since I read it but I remember that she emphasized the human element and that it was missing in scientific management. She incorporated the “knowledge of the individual” in her management theory. Although I don’t know for sure, I could see Psychology of Management influencing W. Edwards Deming’s work.
Nice blog post on her work, Bob Emiliani.
July 31, 2021 @ 3:44 pm
Brilliant Michel. Thank you for writing this and highlighting a woman and leader who was obviously well ahead of her time (and apparently ours as well). I am convinced that females are more innately capable of being the Lean leaders, who we will see finally push us into the new age of systems management (“coming soon to an industry near you”). Cheers Sir!
July 31, 2021 @ 4:15 pm
I didn’t mention her gender because I don’t think it’s relevant.
August 5, 2021 @ 8:50 am
Musk discovered this truth when he tried to over-automate the Tesla factory in Fremont CA. It will still be true 100 yrs from now.