TITLE:
Forgotten Questions on Purpose and Method That Provide Leadership Insight into Any Organization
AUTHORS:
Simon A. Black, Rachel J. Black
KEYWORDS:
Purpose, Vision, Operations, Strategy, Culture, Change, Systems Theory
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Leadership,
Vol.15 No.4,
October
20,
2026
ABSTRACT: Much has been written about use of Purpose, Vision, Values, objectives, and key performance indicators to build strategy and inspire workers and stakeholders with the aspirations of an organization. This conceptual commentary revisits two questions emphasized by leading 20th century management thinker, W E Deming, which he devised to enable leaders to examine the actual focus and priorities found in their organization, which may be different to those leaders’ intended or hoped-for ambitions. Deming’s questions unearth true preferences, habits, norms, and competencies, thereby identifying the culture that influences technical aspects of work, its subsequent outputs, and ultimately the organization’s results. The questions apply to industrial, commercial, educational, public service, or third sector organizations. Subsequent analysis will enable leaders to revisit what work is actually undertaken, whether it is appropriate, and what that means for the organization. Leaders may then pursue work-focused operational changes which will directly impact results to truly deliver organizational intentions.