Performance by Kevin McManus

June 2025

Our instant pudding paradox

Years ago, it was common for leaders to ask Dr. W. Edwards Deming how long it would take to make the shift to a continuous improvement culture. When asked this, Deming’s response was curt and fast: “There is no instant pudding.” One cannot send staff to a workshop and expect things in the workplace to change overnight. Deming’s rule of thumb was that it took years to change a work culture, even when his teachings were followed.


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