Many individuals and organizations have heard about or experienced the benefits of Lean Six Sigma (LSS). Many published studies and articles relate to the approach’s work process performance and efficiency improvements. The focus of these experiences and studies has been chiefly on measurable benefits. At the same time, the humanistic aspect of LSS tends to be glossed over or left out of the spotlight altogether.
In this post, I want to explore the humanistic approach of Lean Six Sigma. LSS emphasizes respect for people, employee empowerment, and continuous improvement through collaboration. While LSS focuses on efficiency and waste reduction, it can also be viewed through a humanistic lens by prioritizing employee involvement, continuous improvement, recognizing the value of human talent, and aligning with humanist manufacturing principles.
When an organization implements LSS to improve the performance of its operations, there is usually a misconception regarding how the philosophy should be applied and what type of benefits to expect from it. Often, the technical aspect of LSS, represented by a set of different tools and practices, becomes the main focus, and the dual nature of LSS is overlooked. Along with the technical aspect, there is a human aspect focused on the development and involvement of people in the continuous improvement of operations. This dual nature differentiates Lean Six Sigma from any other work system.
Through this dual nature, LSS aims to include an organization’s human aspect in the design and implementation of its practices and create an organizational culture based on mutual trust between employees and managers. Under an environment of trust, LSS creates a community where employees contribute to the growth and improvement of their work environment. In return, the organization provides them labor stability and the opportunity to expand and use their knowledge in the search for solutions and improvement opportunities. Let’s explore some of the key aspects of the humanistic approach in LSS:
- Respect for People – LSS seeks to create a safe and supportive work environment where employees feel valued and empowered.
- One of the two pillars of the Toyota Production System (the origin of LSS).
- Encourages mutual respect between management and workers.
- Values employees not just as laborers but as problem-solvers and contributors to the organization’s success.
- Empowerment and Engagement – LSS emphasizes the importance of involving all employees in identifying and solving problems and recognizing their knowledge and skills.
- Workers are given ownership of their processes and encouraged to suggest improvements.
- Tools like Kaizen, suggestion systems, and quality circles enable this.
- Employees are involved in decision-making and process design.
- Continuous Learning and Development – LSS promotes the humanist belief in ongoing learning and development.
- Focus on training, skill development, and knowledge sharing.
- Encourages cross-training and personal growth.
- Leaders act as coaches and mentors.
- Safe and Meaningful Work Environment – LSS enables a culture in which employees feel physically protected, psychologically supported, and personally valued—an environment where they can work without fear, injury, or exploitation and where their contributions have purpose and impact.
- LSS promotes safe, clean, organized workplaces (e.g., 5S system).
- Tasks are designed to be humane, avoiding overburden (muri), inconsistency (mura), and waste (muda).
- Focus on eliminating unnecessary stress and fatigue.
- Collaboration over Hierarchy—Empowering employees to contribute their ideas can lead to more innovative solutions and better products.
- Teamwork and open communication are prioritized over a rigid hierarchy.
- Problems are solved collaboratively, often at the level where the work is done.
- Leaders are expected to “go to the Gemba” (the actual place of work) to understand real issues.
Wrap up:
The humanistic approach of Lean Six Sigma isn’t just about doing more with less — it’s about doing better with people. It blends operational efficiency with respect for human dignity, aiming to build productive and fulfilling workplaces. At Lean Six Sigma Experts, we know the humanistic aspects of Lean Six Sigma and make a concerted effort to ensure it isn’t lost in the technical shuffle. By leveraging the dual nature of LSS, we provide great technical results and enhance organizational culture. The benefits we often encounter are:
Increased Employee Engagement: Employees who feel valued and involved are more likely to be engaged and motivated, leading to improved performance.
Better Quality and Reduced Waste: Employee involvement can lead to better insights into process problems, resulting in improved quality and reduced waste.
Stronger Organizational Culture: A humanistic approach to LSS can foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Improved Innovation: Empowering employees to contribute ideas can lead to more innovative solutions and better products.