blink & Six Sigma

Looking at the image above, your adaptive unconscious might come to a split-second decision that I am comparing the message given in this book with the philosophy of Six Sigma. (Click here to see my review on blink). This time you might be right. Being a Six Sigma Black Belt, I believe in data-based decision-making and not on that divine thought or "gut-feeling". That does not mean that Six Sigma teaches one to get drowned in analysis before making a small decision. Six Sigma teaches one to improve processes by reducing variation. That variation might result in increased defects, high cycle time or something else, which is adversely affecting the bottom line of the business.

Blink is an interesting read and very grasping indeed. But, the first impression, it gives is that we can make decisions without thinking. Is that right? Can we really harness the huge potential of our mind and make split-second decisions, which are accurate? I think this topic is very debatable. When I read this book, the comparison with Six Sigma instantly popped up in my mind. But now, it feels that these two philosophies are not comparable. However, we probably can utilize the power of hindsight and unconscious, while taking action items on basis of the data analysis results. Say, when we establish y=f(x) of the process, we may use this power to take decisions on how to change x, in order to improve y. Thus, blink & Six Sigma can complemet each other.