Understanding the Question

When an interviewer asks you to "Describe a time when you faced resistance to a Lean Six Sigma project and how you overcame it," they are probing into your ability to handle opposition, conflict, or reluctance from stakeholders or team members during the implementation of Lean Six Sigma methodologies. This question aims to reveal your interpersonal, problem-solving, and change management skills. It's crucial in Lean Six Sigma projects, which often require shifting mindsets, altering processes, and sometimes challenging the status quo in an organization.

Interviewer's Goals

The interviewer is looking to understand several key aspects of your professional behavior and skills, including:

• Change Management: How you navigate resistance or skepticism towards change, which is a common barrier in Lean Six Sigma projects.
• Communication Skills: Your ability to communicate effectively, persuasively, and empathetically with stakeholders to align them with project goals.
• Leadership and Influence: How you lead by example, motivate others, and exert influence to keep the project on track despite challenges.
• Problem-Solving: Your approach to identifying the root causes of resistance and developing creative solutions to address these issues.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Your capacity to remain steadfast in the face of opposition, adapting your strategies as necessary to achieve project success.

How to Approach Your Answer

When formulating your response, consider using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide a structured and compelling narrative. Here's how you can apply it:

• Situation: Briefly describe the context. What was the Lean Six Sigma project, and why was it initiated?
• Task: Explain the resistance you encountered. Who was involved, and what were their concerns or objections?
• Action: Detail the specific steps you took to address the resistance. Highlight how you used your communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Result: Conclude with the outcome of your actions. How did you overcome the resistance, and what was the impact on the project and the organization?

Example Responses Relevant to Lean Six Sigma Consultant

Here are two example responses to guide you in crafting your own:

Example 1:

"In a previous role, our Lean Six Sigma team was tasked with reducing waste in the manufacturing process of a client's factory. We faced significant resistance from the factory floor workers, who were skeptical of the changes and feared job losses. Understanding their concerns, I organized a series of workshops to explain the principles of Lean Six Sigma, emphasizing that the goal was to enhance efficiency, not cut jobs. We also created a feedback loop, allowing workers to voice their concerns and suggestions. Through persistent communication and by involving them in the process, we gradually built trust. The project ultimately led to a 20% reduction in waste and improved worker satisfaction, as their ideas were valued and implemented."

Example 2:

"In my role as a Lean Six Sigma consultant, I encountered resistance from senior management at a healthcare facility during a project aimed at streamlining patient flow. The leadership was reluctant to adopt suggested changes, fearing disruption to their existing processes. I responded by conducting a detailed data analysis to demonstrate the potential improvements and efficiencies. Additionally, I facilitated a pilot program in one department to showcase the benefits in a controlled environment. The pilot was successful, leading to a significant decrease in patient wait times. This evidence-based approach helped to alleviate management's concerns, resulting in full-scale implementation across the facility and markedly improved patient satisfaction scores."

Tips for Success

• Be Honest: Choose a real example from your experience. Authenticity is key to convincing the interviewer.
• Focus on Soft Skills: Highlight your communication, leadership, and negotiation skills, as these are critical in overcoming resistance.
• Quantify Results: Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your success. This could be in terms of cost savings, time reductions, improved efficiencies, or customer satisfaction scores.
• Reflect on Lessons Learned: Briefly mention any lessons you learned from the experience and how it has shaped your approach to future Lean Six Sigma projects.
• Stay Positive: Maintain a positive tone throughout your answer. Emphasize how overcoming resistance led to personal growth, improved team dynamics, and project success.

By carefully preparing your response to this question, you'll demonstrate not only your technical proficiency in Lean Six Sigma but also your invaluable soft skills that make you an effective consultant and change agent.