Comments on: Was Ayn Rand a lean thinker?

By: Ankit Patel

Ankit Patel — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:06:20 +0000

Love the connection! I really like teaching people how to do their job. I like the model that Tony Robbins gives for human needs.
1) Certainty/Comfort
2) Variety
3) Significance
4) Connection/Love
5) Growth
6) Contribution

Most and sometimes all of these things are are applicable to the work place to make people happy.

Ankit

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:59:19 +0000

A couple points. There is a scene early on in Atlas Shrugged when Dagny, while riding one of her trains that has unexpectedly stopped, gets out to investigate. She finds a group of workers standing by a red signal. They all know the signal is malfunctioning but none of them will do anything since none want to “stick their neck out”. Their dialogue and reaction to Dagny’s questions were uncanny in their realism, as I spent several years working at a chemical plant where I encountered situations that could have easily come straight from the book. The point is – Rand knew exactly how businesses operated from top to bottom.

Also, on the point that people need to wake up to the fact that government does not know best. Very true, but one obstacle is the overall picture of what capitalism has become in America. Thanks to ever increasing government involvement, business has become a mutated hybrid of politics, sleaze, and moral hazard. There is a fascinating article written about this by a 16 year Enron veteran (can be found at politicalcapitalism.org)

By: Jamie Flinchbaugh

Jamie Flinchbaugh — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:34:42 +0000

Matthew, that’s a good perspective. Dagny enabled those around them to excel. You obviously don’t see much of what she really does day to day, which might be an interesting study.

By: Matthew Bookspan

Matthew Bookspan — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:32:39 +0000

If it seems reasonable that we can view Dagny Taggart was the metaphorical version of Ayn Rand, then it seems reasonable Ayn Rand understood much about lean organizations combined with true leadership and decisive action.

Nice article. Thanks for the mention on Twitter.

By: Jamie Flinchbaugh

Jamie Flinchbaugh — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:43:15 +0000

Shawne, I think if you start with that assumption, you can get much of “respect for people” right.

By: Shawne Van Deusen-Jeffries

Shawne Van Deusen-Jeffries — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:53:55 +0000

Jamie,
Very interesting post. Now I have more books to add to my to be read list.

I like your statement “No one wants to go home at the end of the day feeling like their day was a waste.” I think the initial premise of any improvement effort has to be that everyone goes to work to do the best possible job everyday. From this we can ask what, how and why to begin the learning process.

Thanks.

By: Jim Baran

Jim Baran — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:53:31 +0000

Great piece. Much to think about here. Thanks
for sharing. I believe Respect for people is more
than intrinsic motivation. It is a developed skill.
RFP occurs when standards modulate from physical
events. Leaders need to understand that
your people are your most important
physical events. Don’t mold or shape me. Help
me maximize my events.

Jim Baran
Owner, Value Stream Leadership

By: Jamie Flinchbaugh

Jamie Flinchbaugh — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:45:43 +0000

It was suggested to me after posting this that Ayn Rand did apply objectivism to her own life. I didn’t know her, so I don’t really know. I’m just basing that comment (which isn’t the primary point here) based on what I’ve read. I’m sure there are also observations to the contrary.