Gary M Butler, PE

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP

The ability to set goals and accomplish them may be the most important shared trait of outstanding leaders.  Initially this ability must be developed internally to the individual. Many students get through their challenges by brute force.  Gallons of coffee and all-nighters become the norm.  Using this approach in the workplace may yield short term results but will not be supportable over time.  When their work is used by others, a tendency to procrastinate and slip in under the wire can start a domino chain that will cause group failure.  Unfortunately, many simply haven’t learned any other way to handle a large or challenging project.

BALDRIGE QUALITY AWARD

The Baldrige National Quality Award offers a helpful perspective on gaps in the education of new engineers. Research suggests that the Baldrige criteria are among the best predictors of organizational success. (The value of award winners’ stock increased by 512% over a 10 year period vs. 115% for the S & P 500.) Employees who have been trained to develop skill and understanding in the related disciplines will best serve their organization. The seven Baldrige criteria are:
Leadership
Strategic Planning
Customer & Market Focus
Measurement, Analysis & Knowledge Management
Human Resource Development & Management
Process Management
Business Results

NEW ENGINEERS

You would think that each year’s crop of newly minted engineering graduates would be ready to be turned loose on the world to solve its technical problems.  Engineering colleges certainly present them as if they are.  Unfortunately, in my experience, despite the brilliance of their professors and the difficulty of the curriculum most new engineers (yours truly included) barely know a thing about what it takes to solve technical problems in the real world.  The technology, science and calculations that got them through school are just the beginning of what they need to know.  Even those engineers with business classes will not be able to succeed without significant mentoring and coaching.  It falls to the organizations that hire them to complete their education.