Lean Six Sigma For Leaders

10Integrating with Agile

IN THIS CHAPTER we explore the potential synergy between Agile and Lean Six Sigma, in particular the leadership perspective. What can we learn from Agile leadership?

We asked our colleague, James Dwan, an expert in Agile techniques for his views on Agile leadership and its relevance to Lean Six Sigma.

Agile started in earnest back in 2001 with the signing of the Agile Manifesto as a way to improve the way that software projects were delivered. What has followed has provided not only frameworks to revolutionise the software industry but product and services development in general. This chapter focuses not on the Agile frameworks themselves but on the new leadership and team paradigms they brought with them and the new skills and mindset required to fully capitalise on them. We also highlight the strong connection between Lean Six Sigma and Agile leadership in transforming business culture, the associated importance of inspirational leadership to establish a ‘True North’, and a nurturing work culture and environment of Psychological Safety required so that experimentation and validated learning can flourish. We think there is great synergy between the two worlds of Agile and Lean Six Sigma and there is much to be gained by understanding this potential.

For many decades, executives were expected to know how to give answers rather than how to ask questions. The culture has grown in many organisations that asking questions is a sign of weakness rather than ...