Of socks and men

This book was recommended to me to help my understanding of quality improvement. It is an unusual book for managers in that it is written as a novel. It has a clearly stated theme but, like a good novel, it leads you into unexpected places with a good deal of guile and persuasion. Whether you accept the author’s Theory of Constraints, which I don’t altogether, it clearly demonstrates the necessity for management to get down to the shop floor to understand the business from end to end. The book is also a model for how a consultant’s knowledge can be exploited by an engaged and motivated client. The latter topic is explained in terms of Socrates’ methods for enabling people to arrive at a better view of the world through debate. As a bonus, the author describes how a better understanding of the world leads to a more relaxed, less contentious existence with a better work-life balance. Highly recommended – Go Read!