What the worker needs is to see the plant as if he were a manager. Only thus can he see his part, from his part he can reach the whole. This 'seeing' is not a matter of information, training courses, conducted plant tours, or similar devices. What is needed is the actual experience of the whole in and through the individual's work. -- The New Society (1950)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Workers need to view the whole plant like managers do; true understanding comes from direct experience, not just training.
- In plain terms
- Seeing the whole operation requires hands‑on experience, not just courses.
- What can you take from it?
- Give employees real‑world exposure to the entire system.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does broader perspective affect individual performance?
- What barriers exist to giving workers whole‑system experience?
Another view
Some roles may not feasibly allow full‑plant exposure.
More from Peter F. Drucker
The major incentive to productivity and efficiency are social and moral rather than financial. -- The New Society (1950)
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