This talks about the value of moving on to get the higher certification level in Six Sigma in any other relevant fields where there is a ladder or certification track available. Why would we be interested to get that higher level?

1. Pursuing Higher Belt Certification in Six Sigma
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I have always been an advocate of change and innovation. With my long time
experience in the field of Process Innovation and Continuous Process Improvement for
more than 14 years, I was able to train, coach and empower aspiring change agents
and Six Sigma Belters who are now doing well in their respective jobs and areas of
expertise.
In the course of my career as a Six Sigma Black Belt with experience, I was able to help
several Belt Candidates get certified - Yellow Belters, Green Belters and Black Belters.
I was able to do this at a Six Sigma Black Belt capacity even if I was not yet a Master
Black Belt who is formally recognized as an authority figure as the most experienced
and knowledgeable person to train even the Black Belt Candidates.
Some of my colleagues have already pursued and have been certified as a Master
Black Belt ahead of me while we started out in our careers in almost at the same time. I
was busy with my full-time job which is about solving real challenging business process
problems with a mix of methodologies. More than half are not full Six Sigma projects
since the business need influenced what was needed to be addressed - capacity, line
balancing, elimination of wastes, workflow automation, or establishing process

2. measures. I was not quite sure if I would even qualify to pass the Master Black Belt
certification. But I always believed that it was the path ahead of me.
There is value in getting certified. Certification is a proof that one is recognized by a
certain certifying institution that knowledge and experience meet the standards to be
proficient and successful in one's field of practice. The certification is also a way to gain
the confidence of our stakeholders in terms of our competencies to get the job done.
I also believe that there is value getting higher certification level for me after being in the
Six Sigma practice for a long time now. I have been a Black Belt practitioner and
freelance consultant for more than a decade. Basing on my own personal judgement, I
feel that I am already functioning as a Master Black Belt especially now that I am in a
senior position and I work with different officers and different business executives who
drive their own process improvement initiatives.
I capitalize on change leadership and in empowering others, sort of having a "multiplier
effect" so together I can achieve more through collaboration. Isn't that what a Master
Black Belt should be doing already? So perhaps, even without the formal title itself I am
already functioning as a Change Leader and as a Master Black Belt.
It's time I guess that I move on and get that higher certification level - Master Black Belt.
After that, I would probably consider other complimenting talent development track that
is still related to process innovation / change.
If you are also in the same situation, please feel free to share with me your insights.
Going for the next certification level is just the best way forward don't you think?
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