Meaning of the quote

The quote suggests that when we do a job or task, we should focus more on the reason or purpose behind it, rather than just on the mechanics of how to do it. It's important to understand the 'why' behind our work, not just the 'how.' Thinking about the purpose and meaning of what we do can help us feel more engaged and motivated, rather than just going through the motions.

About W. Edwards Deming

W. Edwards Deming was a renowned American business theorist, economist, and statistician who played a crucial role in the post-WWII rejuvenation of the Japanese industry. He is widely regarded as the father of the quality movement and his theories on management have had a lasting impact on businesses worldwide.

More about the author

More quotes from W. Edwards Deming

Whenever there is fear, you will get wrong figures.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

If you can’t describe what you are doing as a process, you don’t know what you’re doing.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

Profit in business comes from repeat customers, customers that boast about your project or service, and that bring friends with them.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

Lack of knowledge… that is the problem.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

You should not ask questions without knowledge.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

If you do not know how to ask the right question, you discover nothing.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

Eliminate numerical quotas, including Management by Objectives.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

Hold everybody accountable? Ridiculous!

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

When a system is stable, telling the worker about mistakes is only tampering.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

Any manager can do well in an expanding market.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

The result of long-term relationships is better and better quality, and lower and lower costs.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

We are here to make another world.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

All anyone asks for is a chance to work with pride.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

Learning is not compulsory… neither is survival.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

You can not define being exactly on time.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

It is not enough to do your best; you must know what to do, and then do your best.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

The emphasis should be on why we do a job.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

Quality is everyone’s responsibility.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

Innovation comes from the producer – not from the customer.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

The average American worker has fifty interruptions a day, of which seventy percent have nothing to do with work.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)

Rational behavior requires theory. Reactive behavior requires only reflex action.

W. Edwards Deming

American professor, author, and consultant (1900-1993)