{"id":14474,"date":"2025-08-15T14:53:45","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T13:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theleansixsigmacompany.com\/uk\/?p=14474"},"modified":"2025-08-27T12:29:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T11:29:15","slug":"the-beginner-guide-to-lean-six-sigma-for-managers-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theleansixsigmacompany.com\/uk\/library\/the-beginner-guide-to-lean-six-sigma-for-managers-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The beginner guide to Lean Six Sigma for managers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Managerial positions have always been high on the list of personal career goals. Because of this, we felt it appropriate to render advice on the topic of management and Lean Six Sigma. The Lean Six Sigma Company has been a course provider since the early 2000\u2019s and since that time we have coached, supervised, trained, and certified managers of every level and type of industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have noticed that the most common reasons for attending a course often involve seeking career advancement or (suddenly) having to deal with a growing list of responsibilities, i.e. having to start with Lean Six Sigma. Ideally, you want to be well-prepared for either, perhaps even experienced, before you are burdened with Operational Excellence or Continuous Improvement KPI\u2019s and find yourself struggling. Naturally, a Lean Six Sigma course is a great way to prepare and thrive when the time comes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, before you enroll in a prestigious course on the assumption that managers require a high level of training, let us offer a word of advice. If, like us, you have been around managers and OpEx\/CI projects long enough, you will come to realize two things. One, most managers have attended the wrong level of training. Two, most of them wrongly apply traditional leadership techniques during improvement initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be wary of this, because the amount of Lean Six Sigma know-how a manager realistically needs is very different from what a Black Belt or Lean Expert needs. A basic understanding is sufficient and sometimes even more beneficial than extensive knowledge. You don\u2019t need to know the ins-and-outs of a process capability analysis or whether you should reject the null hypothesis. To effectively guide your team of Lean Six Sigma professionals to impressive results, you just need to know the appropriate level of training needed and why traditional management styles would miss the mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defining \u2018management\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First, let\u2019s apply some labels. Management literature will provide you with a wide range of management tiers, but for the sake of this article, and ease of reading, we will boil them down to top-level, middle-level and lower-level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We define top level management as the Board of Directors, the chief executive officers (CEO), and the managing directors (MD) of the organization. They are the ones responsible for making strategic decisions, day-to-day operations and setting the overall direction of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondly, in the middle management layer, you will find department heads, general managers and division managers. They are responsible for implementing the strategies and plans developed by the top-level management and tasked with making tactical decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, lower level management, which includes managers of specific departments or sections within the organization, such as the HR department, sales, or production departments. Lower level managers are responsible for supervising and coordinating the activities of the front-line employees and ensuring that the organization’s objectives are met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing productivity per level of management<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Each managerial level carries a number of responsibilities when it comes to the productivity of their team or department. To no one\u2019s surprise, improving team productivity is one of the most important goals on the agenda. But each layer should approach this differently, especially with regards to continuous improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top level management should be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n