Book Review: The Six Sigma Leader

Manufacturing News, Source : The Manufacturer US
Published : 28 Jun 2007 19:42

by Peter S. Pande McGraw-Hill, 2007; $24.95

“Leadership” is not the same thing as “management.” Managers are not necessarily leaders, and leaders are not necessarily managers. Managers derive power from their positions, and people follow them because they must. The power of leaders comes from some innate quality, and people follow them because they choose to.

What Peter Pande does in The Six Sigma Leader: How Top Executives Will Prevail in the 21st Century, is describe how Six Sigma can help managers develop their innate leadership qualities. The same principles of continuous improvement of products, processes, and services that have helped organizations worldwide reduce waste and improve profitability can be applied to individuals to help them bring out the leadership qualities that will help them survive and even prosper in the 21st century. In fact, he posits that the business improvements gained at the process level by Six Sigma techniques cannot be sustained unless there is a corresponding improvement in leadership abilities in the organization.

The author sums up the essence of Six Sigma leadership in the two words balance and flexibility. A clear understanding of the power of these terms can sharpen leadership skills; conversely, the absence of these qualities can lead to poor decisions, wasted effort, and lost revenue.

Pande has co-authored several other books, including The Six Sigma Way, The Six Sigma Way Team Fieldbook, and What Is Six Sigma?, but doesn’t merely tread the same ground. In fact, prior knowledge of Six Sigma isn’t required and may even slow understanding of Six Sigma Leadership, which the author considers an upgrade of the Six Sigma “brand.” Regardless of the depth of your experience with Six Sigma, the book is bound to make you examine your own leadership style and consider ways in which you can take your leadership skills to a higher level.

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