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Rick and Cliff were supervisors in the Product Quality organization when I first met them as their interim leader while a new Quality Manager was being selected. As I think back and compare those two junior supervisors to what they have both became as a result of Black Belt education and experience, it is humbling. At Navistar’s Chatham Plant we took the approach that the best and brightest should have the Black Belt opportunity placed before them. Cliff and Rick were among this first group of 10 and they were placed in a room together. This had the effect of creating an elite group of problem solvers that became convinced that their data could change our world. They subsequently proved that very thorny issues could be tackled, root cause analysis performed, and the issue subsequently wrestled to the ground. The issue of solution-sustain-ability was immediately addressed if, in fact, it did arise. The other significant change that came about as a result of this training was a change in the people. The Black Belt education not only taught statistical tools but also changed people. Whether this was a result of six sigma coaching, the "elite" mentality that resulted, the social interplay, or just the time away from the workplace, I do not know. This I do know. People that take the training and engage themselves in the work return to normal life changed. They are more mature, responsible and better able to quickly perceive root cause contributors. This resulted in a succession plan change at the Chatham Plant. We entrenched the policy that no one was eligible for a position that would take them out of first line supervision without Black Belt or Green Belt training. If you didn't get yourself into the training you weren't going to be promoted.

Pete Brennan
Plant Manager
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