Friday, January 24, 2024
Cornerstone Academy High School students embarked on an exciting journey into Lean Six Sigma training, a program designed to equip them with essential business leadership and organizational skills. Over two engaging sessions, students gathered at both the Cornerstone Academy classroom and the Lead The Way office, where they were welcomed with fruit and pastries provided by Quiess Muhammad, the trainer facilitating the course.
This prestigious training program offers participants the opportunity to earn their Lean Six Sigma Yellow and Green Belts, along with a graduation seal from Cornerstone High School. More than just a certification, these skills will empower students to become problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and effective leaders in any professional environment.
Week One: Leadership and Listening in Action
The first session focused on leadership styles and effective listening, emphasizing the importance of clear communication in the workplace. A highlight of the session was an interactive listening activity, where students paired up to role-play conversations using different listening styles:
Polite Listening – Acknowledging but not deeply engaging with the speaker.
Active Listening – Providing feedback and showing engagement.
Empathetic Listening – Connecting emotionally and understanding the speaker’s perspective.
As each pair demonstrated their assigned style, the class worked together to identify the listening approach being used. This activity reinforced the value of effective communication and emotional intelligence, both of which are essential for leadership and teamwork.
Week Two: Problem Solving and Process Improvement
The second session shifted gears to focus on problem-solving and process improvement, foundational elements of Lean Six Sigma methodology. Students explored the SIPOC framework, which breaks down the interaction between:
Suppliers – Who provides materials or information?
Inputs – What resources go into the process?
Processes – How are tasks completed?
Outputs – What is the final product or result?
Customers – Who benefits from the outcome?
To apply these concepts, students created Run Charts to visualize and analyze system performance over time, developing a deeper understanding of how efficiency and continuous improvement impact real-world industries.
Inspiration for Growth and Leadership
As the session concluded, Quiess Muhammad left students with a powerful quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:
"We are all caught up in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the inter-related structure of reality."
This message resonated deeply, reinforcing the idea that leadership and success are interconnected—by elevating themselves, students also uplift those around them.
Looking Ahead: A Future of Leadership and Excellence
The Lean Six Sigma training at Cornerstone Academy is just the beginning of an incredible journey toward professional and personal growth. We extend our sincere gratitude to Quiess Muhammad for leading these transformative sessions and to the administration and staff at Cornerstone Academy High School for their unwavering support in making this program possible.
As students continue their training, we look forward to seeing them apply these skills in their academic, professional, and personal lives—proving that the next generation of leaders is already on the rise. Stay tuned for more updates on their progress and achievements!
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