subject: What It Takes To Be A Successful Six Sigma Black Belt [print this page] Six sigma black belts are leaders within their organization. They are full time project team leaders who are accountable for implementing process improvement projects in the business or corporation. Black belts are skilled in the use of six sigma methodology, procedures and tools. They are also highly skilled in change management.
Six sigma black belt training typically varies in its length during which the candidate demonstrates his or her skills of the subject matter through completion of a project and a written final exam. Black belts coach green belts while at the same time receive coaching from master black belts. Black belts usually become master black belts after the many years of experience and additional training.
Six sigma training has uncovered a series of qualities inherent in all good black belts, including, customer advocating-where the black belt candidate fully understands that the client is usually the final judge of quality and service; be passionate about what he or she does, takes initiative and presents positivity at all times; change leadership-six sigma black belts are agents of change and are expected to cheer lead other workers through the change process; efficient communication skills as trainers, coaches and mentors, with an ability to customize the message to the audience; Ahead of the curve on new business practice; Understanding that six sigma is achieved one project at a time; Can be both a team player and a team leader; has a good technical aptitude and an ability to analyze data quickly; six sigma black belts are always results oriented; and lastly, they are fun and passionate about the job they do each day.
Some other qualities that make for a good black belt candidate are trust and integrity, deep process knowledge, diverse work experience, a degree which displays advanced thought skills, and has expertise of Six sigma, ISO and other quality control procedures and skill sets. Some of the things that can sabotage a successful black belt training project occurs when your six sigma black belts get no support from their champion or sponsor, there aren't enough or no green belts in your program, your mentor or master black belt is too busy to mentor, there is very little interaction with other six sigma personnel, or senior management distributes projects with the outcome already decided.
