Strategic Lean Leadership in Lean Six Sigma Projects for Manufacturing Excellence

Abstract

Strategic Lean leadership is essential for successfully implementing Lean Six Sigma (LSS) initiatives, enhancing operational efficiency, and achieving manufacturing excellence in today’s competitive landscape. This study examines how integrating Lean, Six Sigma, and Total Quality Management (TQM) influences leadership strategies that improve organizational agility, resilience, and responsiveness to market changes. It highlights the vital role of leadership in fostering collaboration, maximizing resource utilization, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The Structured Lean Leadership Framework is introduced as a strategic tool for developing leadership capabilities critical to LSS success, addressing challenges such as weak leadership commitment, resistance to change, and communication barriers. By leveraging the DMAIC framework, key performance indicators (KPIs), and Voice of Customer (VOC) analysis, the study ensures alignment with business objectives, customer needs, and sustainability goals. Furthermore, it examines how integrating LSS with Agile methodologies can improve operational efficiency, governance, and innovation, enabling organizations to adapt more effectively to future challenges. This research offers actionable insights for executives, practitioners, and researchers, supporting leadership development, data-driven decision-making, and long-term value creation. Future research should focus on validating the Structured Lean Leadership Framework, examining the integration of Agile and LSS in regulated industries, and exploring how Industry 4.0 technologies—such as AI, IoT, and automation—can optimize both LSS practices and leadership, with a focus on leadership impact, project outcomes, and sustainability.