Systemic failure more complex solution than “You’re Fired"

by YankeeJim | January 8, 2010 at 11:14 am

102 views | 34 Recommendations | 0 comments

Systemic failure requires more complex solution than “You’re Fired"

When the President Obama used the term “systemic” to describe failure to detect a terrorist threat, he meant that the problems occurred at many levels of the process from top to bottom. A knee jerk reaction would be to try to find someone to fire over the mistakes. However, the problems have been a part of the system for a long time and much of it is bureaucratic culture that is as much a product of Congress laws and regulations as it is the executive branch.

One might argue that public statements by the head of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano reflected political ignorance and rang of alibi. For that, the president might have grounds for firing her. Though blaming her for the systemic failure would not be appropriate.

The President should have had his eye on this problem from day one as it was evident during the vetting process for cabinet officers from all departments. He admitted this.

Republicans calling for heads to roll simply highlight that too few heads rolled during their reign of terror that brought wars we didn’t need and an economic collapse. Therefore in as simple words as “You’re fired,” I would say, “Shut Up.”

“'Systemic failure' is no excuse

ByDave Logan, Special to CNN

Editor's note: Dave Logan is a faculty member at the Marshall School of Business at USC and co-author of "Tribal Leadership." You can read more on the subject at http://www.triballeadership.net/

(CNN) -- According to the Obama administration, the fact that Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab boarded a plane for the United States with potentially exploding underwear was caused by a systemic failure in intelligence. That's true. In the same way that an auto accident is caused by two cars crashing together.

Saying the system failed is merely describing what happened, and Obama's plan will do nothing to address the underlying problem. The real problem is what we need to be talking about, not just because it's at the core of our intelligence crisis, but because it's the same problem that broke our economy, made health care unaffordable and hobbled the U.S. auto industry.

And unless the Obama Administration gets smart about dealing with this larger problem, and fast, our skies won't be safer any time soon.

The problem is organizational culture. As Peter Drucker, the late father of modern management, said: "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." Culture says it's OK to not think creatively about how a lead might connect to other information. Culture says that following up on leads eventually is soon enough. Culture says that doing what's in our job description is "good enough for government work."

Obama's plan to fix the intelligence system boils down to integrate the components, clarify roles and responsibilities, add additional steps to the screening process, invest in newer technology, deploy more air marshals and work cooperatively with other governments. None of these actions will do one thing to effect people's relationships with each other and with their work, which is the essence of culture.”