Internal Expert Mentoring :: Makes The Knowledge Your Own

Project: A business unit of a large global corporation wanted to groom a Six Sigma Master Black Belt (internal expert) from within their own ranks.

Issue: From within existing Six Sigma Black Belts, a promising person was chosen to become that Master Black Belt. He showed promise in the tools, and had management experience, but wasn't sure what his role as Master Black Belt should be. How should he coach others? Was statistical knowledge more important than management skills? How could he effectively manage 30 or more Black Belts?

Solution: He was coached in his own improvement project, but more importantly, we coached him in how to coach others. The skill of doing a project is very different from the skills needed to coach a project. He sat in on many coaching sessions with his fellow team leaders - to observe the process.

He was guided in the logistics of coaching: when to meet, what to say, how to keep notes and follow through on action items. He was given recommendations for books to read, technical conferences to attend. Then, he was given the chance to coach improvement team leaders, with the Albany Analytical mentor observing him, and providing feedback later.

Results: More than four years later, he is a strong and vital force within this company's Six Sigma organization, acknowledged for its global success.