James Watt

Historical Figure

From James Watt by Andrew Carnegie

Known for: The central figure, an inventor and mechanical genius.

general career ethics creativity wisdom spirituality

About James Watt

Role: The central figure, an inventor and mechanical genius.

Core Belief: A firm belief in the power of knowledge and the importance of applying scientific principles to improve the lives of others. Feels a strong sense of duty to use his talents for the betterment of society.

Worldview: Sees the world as a place of endless possibilities for improvement through ingenuity and hard work. Has a deep appreciation for the beauty and order of nature, and believes that science can unlock its secrets.

Debates featuring James Watt

Leadership & Management

My department's been dysfunctional for years, and I've just been promoted to lead it. The previous manager blamed the problems on the team. The team blames the previous manager. HR blames both. Everyone has a different story, and I don't know who to believe (or trust). I've been told to "fix the culture," but I'm not sure culture is the problem. It could be the systems are broken—unclear processes, contradictory incentives, no accountability mechanisms. When I suggested structural changes, people say I'm "not addressing the real issue" which is "trust". Do I focus on fixing the people and relationships, or do I redesign the systems and processes? Can you even have good culture without good systems? Or good systems without good culture? — Engineer Trying to Fix Humans in Hartford

90 votes

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