Quote of the Day

As to methods, there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble. − Harrington Emerson.

from an advertisement for The Book of Business, in Colliers: National Weekly, 1917 

When we hear a claim or conjecture about some method that fixes some named dysfunction, and that claim or conjecture clearly violates established principles, one of several outcomes can occur. Ask what do you mean or what principle informs your conjecture here? Many times this will be the start of a dialogue on the topic and learning on both side can start. Other teams, those being asked that question take offense to being asked to explain their position. In later case, it is best to move on, since willfully ignoring the principles that form the basis of the discussion is not going to lead to a shared exchange of ideas.  

 

from Herding Cats