Conference 7.286::digital

2280.0. "TFSo long" by ESOA12::STAHLE () Thu Dec 17 1992 16:41

          I think of two things especially when I think about DEC.

             The first is that a lot of what is good here came out of a
          lot of anguish and strife and not the mediocrity of "YES" as a
          safe answer.  Creativity was enabled in this dynamic tension.
          Often it meant there were six or ten of the same thing, (the
          dread stovepipes) which was absolutely a problem, but there
          were also 1 or 2 of best in class products.

            The second thing I think of is that this same healthy 
          dialogue existing among peers was also common between
          subordinates and supervisors and was not political, but
          professional and a privilege for both. 

             There is a lot more, but it becomes difficult to separate
          fact from legend, belief system, or something read in a journal
          reaching back to what seems days of yore.

             It becomes increasingly clear that the current 
          process will continue, probably longer than anyone will want
          it to as a kind of karmic rain sweeping in ever tightening 
          circles and rocking this company to its core.  A long time 
          coming, but a rain that must come if there is to be a 
          sustained harvest which is desperately needed after these 
          too many dry quarters.

             When the storm is over it is my fervent hope that 
          search parties will be sent out into the damaged and 
          destroyed and find the passion and soul and fierce 
          competitiveness that is what made this company a force
          to be reckoned with, for that is why most came to work
          here and why so many have gladly given so much.  It is 
          a very tricky thing to "rightsize" to an appropriate 
          proportion of revenue per employee without inversely 
          impacting the passion per employee (PPE). 
 
              Most of us who are here came as warriors to a cause.
          That spirit is now dormant, for many reasons, but the one
          that should be unacceptable is the expectation that someone 
          must be responsible to rouse us from this sleep, as the enemy
          is in the camp.  None must wait for this leadership externally,
          but take personal responsibility for this task as though it
          were your company -- as in fact it is.  The narcotic that 
          put most to sleep was those voices saying it was not. 
          If your leaders have forgotten their stewardship responsibilities
          to their charges, you must become your own steward.
          This is still your Digital Equipment Corporation.

 
           TFSOk about it...

           Pleasant dreams at 2:00 a.m. ...12/18/92 my last day at DEC & DECUS

           Thanks to all for much...Reclaim the warrior
           for whichever quest you find,
           you need it now in this time
           more than ever.