Two Favorite Quotes
“If you want to truly understand something, try to change it.”
~Kurt Lewin
“If you want to make enemies, try to change something.”
~Woodrow Wilson
These two favorite quotes speak to the two tracks a six sigma coach must run on simultaneously. The first addresses the need to master and apply the tools and techniques in the six sigma body of knowledge. The second recognizes that all change happens within an organizational context which in turn involves people.
The DAMIC model and tools help us try to truly understand a process. As coaches we help players bring a rational understanding to the process mechanisms, structure and organization. That is, we help figure out what is really happening, how and why it is happening.
The basic notion is that if we clearly understand something, then we can improve the process. The fallacy, however, is that as we and until we start to change the process we do not truly understand the complexity of it. One reason the Control step is so important is that it provides an opportunity to fix all of the glitches we originally failed to understand that effect the outcomes.
The second quote helps us remember that the frequently not sufficiently accounted for component is the people issues. Invariably there are territorial issues, individual sense making, expectations, comfort zones, and of course fear of the unknown and how it will play out an effect the individual. All that “touchy feely stuff.”
The two favorite quotes, on the surface, may appear fairly pessimistic in tone. And, of course, those of us working within a six sigma initiative are usually inherently optimistic. We do expect that we can change things for the better. So rather than being pessimistic, perhaps the quotes might be better seen as a reality check.
An interesting site with quotes about “change” can be found at http://quotegarden.com/change.html
This blog is a service of the Six Sigma Coach, LLC. We provide training to experienced six sigma practitioners to enhance their coaching skills. Visit our webpage at http://www.TheSixSigmaCoach.com or contact us at info@thesixsigmacoach.com
~Kurt Lewin
“If you want to make enemies, try to change something.”
~Woodrow Wilson
These two favorite quotes speak to the two tracks a six sigma coach must run on simultaneously. The first addresses the need to master and apply the tools and techniques in the six sigma body of knowledge. The second recognizes that all change happens within an organizational context which in turn involves people.
The DAMIC model and tools help us try to truly understand a process. As coaches we help players bring a rational understanding to the process mechanisms, structure and organization. That is, we help figure out what is really happening, how and why it is happening.
The basic notion is that if we clearly understand something, then we can improve the process. The fallacy, however, is that as we and until we start to change the process we do not truly understand the complexity of it. One reason the Control step is so important is that it provides an opportunity to fix all of the glitches we originally failed to understand that effect the outcomes.
The second quote helps us remember that the frequently not sufficiently accounted for component is the people issues. Invariably there are territorial issues, individual sense making, expectations, comfort zones, and of course fear of the unknown and how it will play out an effect the individual. All that “touchy feely stuff.”
The two favorite quotes, on the surface, may appear fairly pessimistic in tone. And, of course, those of us working within a six sigma initiative are usually inherently optimistic. We do expect that we can change things for the better. So rather than being pessimistic, perhaps the quotes might be better seen as a reality check.
An interesting site with quotes about “change” can be found at http://quotegarden.com/change.html
This blog is a service of the Six Sigma Coach, LLC. We provide training to experienced six sigma practitioners to enhance their coaching skills. Visit our webpage at http://www.TheSixSigmaCoach.com or contact us at info@thesixsigmacoach.com
posted by The Six Sigma Coach | 3/20/2006 03:29:00 PM
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