Following the mis-management of this financial mess has been so off putting that I've decided to revisit the subject of management. It's not just about greed. For the past 70 years the subject of managing "things" has been a discipline in business and business schools. There must be (literally) thousands of existing techniques.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the value in learning technique(s) but I must confess that I think Hyman Rickover is my inspiration on "management". He is harsh on reliance on technique alone in management education.
I'll get to telling you more you Admiral Rickover in a moment, but first here is his management philosophy ... hard work ... attention to detail ... personal responsibility ... and, determination are the four critical factors. To Rickover, too much "teaching" in management in (his) "today" was based upon the belief that application of management techniques in conjunction with some academic rules will allow "anyone" to mange "anything". He vociferously disagreed with this.
Rickover believed that subordinates should have added work as they develop, which brings out their capabilities and in turn helps them own the job. He had over 40 direct reports when he ran the creation of the nuclear navy. Each was responsible for their entire area of responsibility ... design ... production ... maintenance ... and contracting instead of one "man' handling each. This eliminated the "cross over problems" when design effects production (etc.).
Rickover believed in courageous impatience. The power of unshakeable determination was critical for him, as good ideas do not get executed very often. Deciding what to do is the easy part ... getting it done is more difficult.
Being involved in details shows subordinates that if it's not important to you ... why should it be to them? When details are ignored, projects fail. This is not about doing things yourself; it's about frequent reports (both oral & written) and from numerous sources (remember, he had 40 direct reports!!)
False accomplishment can easily come from letting one's "in-basket" set priorities. Human nature often lets us while away time on unimportant matters.
Work should always have impartial reviews and oversight activity. There must be a robust debate on opposing view points with the final thoughts presented in writing. Weaknesses overlooked in oral discussion become painfully obvious on a written page.
Rickover fought the established p.o.v. with the concept of creating a nuclear navy. Clearly the concept allowed us to have military power and force absolutely anywhere. There was no longer a need for supply chains of fuel. It's interesting that in 50+ years there has never been an "accident". It looks to me like the Navy did embrace the management philosophies of Admiral Rickover ... at least for a while.
W2
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