Feelings and Quality Culture

In his blog "A view from the Q", Paul Borawski, ASQ CEO gives us a series of questions regarding the importance of "creating" a Quality Culture within the organizations, which  I would respond based on my own experience working in Ecuador.

Before it is important to define the concept of "Quality Culture", which to me are the set of beliefs shared by a group of people that drive to live by making quality as a key element in the companies and their personal actions.

I will answer questions from Paul:

What you should look for in hiring people in an organization?

·      People with an inner passion within to do things with excellence, and has  proven that even in small things, people with a talent for which he has worked and an inner effort to make always something better.

·      With positive attitude towards life and willing to learn at all times and teach others.

·      With resilience, having the ability to stand up against obstacles, and  have learned from those things they do not go well.

·      People that know to start small, building block to block solid organizations and always respect the successes of their peers.

·      With focus on results, but always with the conviction that these are a result of the people who produce them.

·      People that know how to work in teams and in turn serve others with humility and respect.

How to know if an applicant will contribute to, thwart, or work at Quality Culture  goals?

·      Looking for evidence on their previous experiences to strengthen the elements outlined in the previous question.

·      Seeing that the job offer represents a challenge and helps applicant to stay motivated.

I think more important is to ask whether the position to which that person is going, will allow him to grow in knowledge,  as a human being and thus contribute positively to the organization.

What attitudes support to be successful in developing a Quality Culture?

The answer to this question is through the example that  leaders should  always give, fostering a culture of service and teamwork, knowing that the only way to do Quality it is through quality people with quality inside.

Are the personal attributes universal, or do they in your experience differ around the world?

Personal attributes are universal, and can differ in the manner of expression. Basically all humans need recognition for a job well done,  and everyone in our inner essence are looking for self improvement.

When you are immersed in a Culture of Quality, how do you feel?

I think it's something special, you can see in all the human beings involved in the experience. There is a feeling of mutual welfare and the desire to improve is evident. The spirit of service is demonstrable and customers in turn try to support the company to improve,  generating brand loyalty.

A good measure of Quality Culture is how many genuine smiles we see on the faces of everyone in the chain and on the faces of the client. So the question Gilberto Concepción asked in the last ASQ World Conference is very important. Are you having fun at work? If the answer is yes we are in the right direction.

As final thoughts, have a Quality Culture is a state towards which we must work every day, and there's always something to do, a state in which people pay attention to what he does and has the intention to improve all day, knowing that in this way contribute to the organiztion, but also to their  personal and professional growth and development. In this environment the feeling of love of work, spirit of service and loyalty are a consequence of daily actions.

How easy is to achieve the above? Not easy, is a way of life, but it's worth.

Cesar Diaz

HAPPINESS OF QUALITY PROFESSIONALS

This month, Paul Borawski on his blog, asks Influential Voices Bloggers to reflect on the happiness and satisfaction of people working as Quality Professionals and leaves us two questions:  Are you happy on the job?  What would help you raise the voice of quality with passion?

I have read with great interest and enthusiasm the rest of Influential Voices of Quality and the first conclusion I can draw is that we all have passion for what we do.

I agree that happiness and satisfaction with work is a state of mind and inner part of our decision.

Working in the field of Quality must begin with a passion that makes a difference between wanting to do something, and having to do something. When I do things on my inner desire to do so, that brings me satisfaction and well being. When I am forced by circumstances to do something that brings me to dissatisfaction and mediocrity.

To be satisfied we must be convinced that our work contributes, and we are part of something bigger.

Through my work as Quality Professional I have had the opportunity to help improve business, to ensure that managers realize that the first thing to consider is that people is what produces results, and that they must be satisfied with what they do.

The biggest challenge has always been to align people and that they want to learn, not have to learn how to achieve efficiency and effectiveness.

For having satisfaction and happiness is important to know what I have to do, when I do and do it well done.

I remember some years ago, in  one of my seminars spoke of the 3R's salary: respect, recognition, remuneration. Through my work as Quality Professional I have achieved respect for the people and their recognition and have had enough to fulfill  both my family and with my collaborators.

As for the aspects of the study of Forbes: "The Happiest Jobs in America", .  Employees were asked to rate 10 factors that affect workplace happiness, including one’s relationship with the boss and co-workers, work environment, job resources, compensation, growth opportunities, company culture, company reputation, daily tasks, and control over the work one does on a daily basis. These external factors are important and very similar for example to what is evaluated in the "Great Place toWork". But the real job satisfaction comes from doing what one likes and the environment helps, but is secondary.

For me to be happy I have always wanted someone from whom to learn, I have sought to serve and generate results, and I also needed a strong dose of enthusiasm to overcome the natural frustrations when things do not go according to plan.

Aristotle stated "We are what we repeatedly do", so to achieve job satisfaction, we start with that state of mind and always walk the path of continuous improvement.

Finally What would help me raise the voice of quality with passion?

• Love what I do and learn constantly on Quality
• Make the most important thing always first
• Always give positive feedback to others
• Learn from my mistakes
• Always think about what I do make sense and is for the good of others.

César Díaz