subject: What Do You Need To Be A Six Sigma Leader [print this page] Six Sigma leaders are often known as black belts and tend to hold the upper tier management positions within a companies structure. The same factors that make someone a good manager will also help to contribute to 6 Sigma success within the business as well. It is important that when you are selecting your Black Belts that you look for those who possess many of the following attributes.
1 ABILITY TO MANAGE PERFORMANCE Any good manager or leader should have the capacity to not merely set goals but to have the vision to take the steps to reach them. They must be able to track and manage the data which is coming in to them to help them assess every move they make and its positive effects on the company to be able to fine tune the steps that they are taking. This will require someone who is highly organized both in their management strategies as well as in assessing the data as it becomes available.
2 ADVOCATE BREAKTHROUGHS A good leader must be able to motivate the process of working through the problems to come up with reasonable solutions. These individuals must be able to take a concept and locate a way to put it into action. They must also have a knack for influencing and persuading others to be motivated. These leaders will have to encourage a supportive team attitude and shouldn't only exhibit tenacity but encourage this sort of drive throughout the company at all levels.
3 SUPPORT TEAMWORK Teamwork is essential to all businesses and their success. Six Sigma focuses on teamwork as an important part of their training and a good manager must be able to encourage not only collaboration but also teamwork by using team based rewards to commend a job well done. There is no I in team and this is something that needs to be reinforced by the Black Belts. Individual rewards should be eliminated.
There are several different things that make a good leader and of course having a well trained employee is essential, but there are many qualities that your 6 Sigma leaders must possess. While many of these essential leadership attributes can be taught it is truly best to have those employees with leadership in their blood be the leaders of your team. They will be those who can really help your company to soar and get faster, better quality results. Picking and training the right people can make a world of difference.
