Corporation Man

In his 1971 classic, Corporation Man, Antony Jay likens the modern day corporation to a primitive tribe. The tribe survives using the best skills of its individual members in a concerted effort to hunt game. The member with the best eyesight searches, the best runners herd game, the strongest arms weald spears and clubs. The adroit prepare weapons and nets. Working together and applying their individual skills, the hunters were able to bring down the giant mastodon.

Coaches can add real value to their players by helping them choose team members with the capabilities, interest, insight and motivation to work within a Six Sigma project team. It is critical to select the right people, not just the folks who happen to be available, to work on the team.

There is no magic selection formula. Membership is dictated by the needs of the project. However, some candidates to consider include a process owner, someone from finance (at least in an advisory role if not a full-time participant) a customer, individuals with insight and leverage to implement solutions, and perhaps a newbie green-belt who will gain experience working with a seasoned belt. Particular skills to look for include knowledge of the process, experience with the Six Sigma methodology, and facility with specific tools such as data analysis or survey design.

Secondly, a coach should help the team leader think through issues about team dynamics. In addition to the skills and knowledge each person brings, there is also the personality and world-view of each team member. A group of optimistic, forward-thinking generalists can always use a cautious member to help see specific details and the bumps on the road to success. Players should also consider a member to complement their own particular skills. For example, I always try to have someone on my teams who is super organized and adept in project management details and can support my less then stellar administrative abilities.

And finally and perhaps most importantly, the coach can work with players and with team members’ management to ensure the team member’s workload provides sufficient time and resources for both team meeting and assignments.

It is reasonable to suppose the primitive hunters didn’t always catch their prey. But a solid team composed of people with the necessary skills and capabilities, diverse approach, and time and resources, provides a solid foundation and enhances the likelihood of project success.

This blog is a service of The Six Sigma Coach, LLC. We provide training in coaching skills to seasoned Six Sigma practitioners. For more information visit us at http://www.thesixsigmacoach.com

Comments, questions, suggestions are always welcome. E-mail us at info@thesixsigmacoach.com