Agile Leadership: A Guide to Navigating Today’s Business Challenges
Like many of the organisations we work with at Excel Communications, you may have noticed that your team is demanding more from you as a leader. This shift is especially true with the Millennial workforce, who have different desires and motivations compared to previous generations.
With constant change becoming the norm in today’s business environment, some companies are looking to their IT departments and the philosophy of ‘Agile’ to guide their evolution. While Agile Leadership originated in the world of software development, it is now being adopted across all areas of business.
In this article, we’ll explore what Agile working means, how it relates to leadership, and the qualities that define an Agile leader.
What Does ‘Agile’ Mean in the Workplace?
Agile working evolved from a book that Jeff Sutherland, co-author of the Agile Manifesto, read about 100 lean hardware companies. These companies recognised that they could become more agile by involving their customers directly in the product creation process. By doing this, they responded more effectively to evolving and increasingly complex customer needs.
In essence, Agile working focuses on four core values:
- People over processes and tools.
- Prototypes over documentation.
- Responding to change over following a plan.
- Customer collaboration over rigid contracts.
This way of working puts the customer at the centre of innovation and is now spreading beyond IT departments into all areas of business, as technology becomes a critical driver of success.
What Is Agile Leadership?
Agile Leadership is the application of the Agile philosophy to management. Just as IT developers put clients at the heart of their work, Agile leaders focus on their key stakeholders: their team members, managers, and clients.
Agile leaders prioritise their team members by:
- Listening and valuing their input.
- Supporting them to achieve both personal and professional goals.
- Involving them in decision-making processes when appropriate.
- Building a sense of community within the team.
By investing time and energy into their teams, Agile leaders foster stronger bonds, build trust, and ultimately create more engaged and productive teams.
What Are the Qualities of an Agile Leader?
Here are some of the key traits that define an Agile leader:
1. Building High-Performing Teams
Agile leaders focus on creating self-sufficient, high-performing teams. By empowering their team members to operate effectively without constant supervision, they free themselves up to be more strategic and responsive to opportunities.
2. Willing to Try New Ideas and Learn from Failure
An Agile leader isn’t afraid of failure. They foster a culture where it’s safe to test new ideas, encouraging their teams to experiment with small improvements at speed. By quickly learning from mistakes, they’re able to make necessary changes and deliver results faster. This mindset has contributed to the rapid growth of companies like Amazon and Tesla.
3. Emotionally Intelligent
Agile leaders put people at the centre of everything they do. They collaborate closely with both colleagues and customers, meaning emotional intelligence is essential. Emotionally intelligent leaders can connect with others, understand their needs, and prioritise conversations over rigid processes. This ability to build strong relationships allows them to navigate challenges and achieve their goals more effectively.
4. Decisiveness
Agile leaders make decisions quickly. While they gather information and data, they trust their instincts and aren’t afraid to act. Decisiveness allows them to keep the momentum going and respond rapidly to both opportunities and challenges.
Becoming an Agile Leader
Agility is crucial for success in today’s fast-paced business environment. If you recognise areas for improvement in your own leadership style, consider how you can develop these four key qualities to enhance your agility as a leader.
By doing so, you’ll be better equipped to lead your team through constant change, fostering a culture of innovation, adaptability, and collaboration.
Many thanks,
The Excel Team
P.S. If you would like to discuss any of your other learning & development challenges, book in your discovery call.
About Excel Communications
Excel Communications is a learning and development consultancy based near London in the U.K. For more than 30 years; we have been collaborating with clients across the globe.
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