In the corporate world, Six Sigma is synonymous with efficiency, precision, and defect reduction. A majority of Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies have Six Sigma programs. It’s a powerful methodology that reduces defects in work processes, bringing measurable results.
But beyond its practical applications, a deeper layer of understanding reveals that Six Sigma can be enhanced when merged with emotional excellence—a concept that goes beyond data and enters the realm of spirituality.
Understanding Six Sigma
Six Sigma, symbolized by the Greek letter σ (sigma), is a statistical method measuring standard deviation—assessing how much data deviates from the mean. The goal is to minimize these deviations and move the mean as close as possible to the target performance level. The five phases of the Six Sigma process are: Scope, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.
Bill Smith and Dr. Mikel J. Harry developed the Six Sigma methodology at Motorola in the 1970s. Motorola was recognized for this innovation when President Ronald Reagan awarded it the inaugural Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award in 1988. Since then, Six Sigma has become the gold standard for companies looking to optimize their processes.
Combining Six Sigma’s technical precision with spiritual awareness can lead to breakthroughs in both organizational performance and personal fulfillment.
Examples from the Real World
I have trained organizations such as ONGC and Pidilite Industries in India, the Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education, and even the US Department of Defense in Six Sigma methodologies. While the results were impressive, I noticed a significant variation in Six Sigma performance from company to company. This observation led me to explore beyond the technical aspects of Six Sigma.
One standout case is the renowned Dabbawalas of Mumbai. With a workforce of 5,000 mostly semiliterate delivery boys, the Dabbawalas transport 200,000 lunchboxes daily with an astonishing error rate of just one mistake in six million deliveries, a Six Sigma level of excellence that has drawn international attention. Prince Charles checked out their performance in 2003. Harvard Business School has added Dabbawalas as a case study to its compendium for their high level of service with a low-cost and simple operating system.
The Dabbawala managers’ lack of formal education in Six Sigma methodologies makes this remarkable. I came to learn that their success is driven by high levels of emotional excellence.
Six Sigma and Emotional Excellence: A New Discovery
After years of teaching Six Sigma, I had an epiphany in 2013 that transformed my understanding. While waiting for a flight in London, I stumbled upon an article in the Financial Times about the logistics behind the Kumbh Mela, a massive religious gathering in India. The article noted how the infrastructure for this temporary “pop-up city” in Prayagraj operated with incredibly low defect levels while the surrounding age-old city of Allahabad struggled with far higher error rates.
Why this anomaly in achieving excellence? The reason was clear: the workers and pilgrims involved in the Kumbh Mela were emotionally invested in the project. They worked not only with technical proficiency but also with a sense of devotion and emotional excellence.
This led me to the profound realization that technical excellence alone is not enough to achieve outstanding results. Emotional excellence—defined as the capacity to remain centered and positive even in challenging circumstances—is just as important.
The Role of Emotional Excellence in Six Sigma
Emotional excellence involves cultivating positive emotions such as empathy, compassion, and devotion while reducing negative emotions like anger, frustration, and anxiety.
The Mumbai Dabbawalas’ success stems from both their well-designed processes and their strong emotional foundation. They are devout Varkaris who go on an annual pilgrimage to the temple of Lord Vithoba in Pandharpur, Maharashtra. This imbues their work with a sense of faith, trust, and surrender.
During my visit to the Dabbawalas in 2019, I assessed their pranic energy, stress levels, and chakra alignments. Unsurprisingly, six of the seven individuals had chakra alignments in the 92-96% range. However, their energy levels were low, and their stress levels high. This indicated to me that while they were emotionally aligned, their intense workload was depleting their physical energy.
This insight reaffirmed my belief that Six Sigma’s success hinges on more than just reducing defects. It also depends on the emotional well-being of the people involved.
The tent city for the 2013 Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj operated much more smoothly than Allahabad nearby. This is because the workers and pilgrims involved in the Kumbh Mela operated with a sense of devotion and emotional excellence besides technical proficiency.
From Six Sigma to Six Sigma Grandmaster
Incorporating emotional excellence into Six Sigma practices has led to a groundbreaking new certification: The ‘Six Sigma Grandmaster Certification’. This program integrates traditional Six Sigma training with emotional and spiritual development. By addressing both technical and emotional factors, organizations can achieve process excellence and a more harmonious, balanced workforce.
Toward Achieving Excellence: Internal and External
In today’s competitive world, both developed and developing nations can benefit from integrating emotional excellence with Six Sigma principles. While developed countries often focus on reducing product and service defects, developing nations can use this framework to elevate their performance to global standards.
Two books I co-authored outline this vision:
1. Six Sigma for External Excellence – A scientific framework for improving performance.
2. The Nature of Ultimate Reality – A guide to achieving internal excellence through emotional and spiritual growth.
Dovetailing Six Sigma and Spirituality
The future of Six Sigma lies in recognizing the importance of emotional excellence. By combining technical mastery with emotional and spiritual development, individuals and organizations can unlock higher levels of performance.
The scientific framework for internal and external excellence is not just about improving processes, it’s also about transforming lives. As nations and businesses adopt this holistic approach, we can look forward to a more peaceful, productive, and emotionally balanced world.
