Steps to have an agile organization

Organizations, regardless of their size, need to adapt to changing markets quickly. In the late 20th century, a first-mover was like a cushion for those who followed, allowing them to avoid losing much in market share. Later, entrants had the benefit of time when a need was identified that their company could resolve.

In the 21st century, time is no longer a benefit; it is an anchor that can slow down or sink organizations trying to meet customer needs. There is a constant race within organizations where the gap between the leaders and the pack is widening. Tactical catch-up takes time away from strategic intentions to stay on the current path or make adjustments towards better opportunities.

Participating in this race is like a team event where an organization’s team is comprised of cars representing different departments. Organizations will run into issues if the development team is the Corvette in the race, while all other teams, using traditional methods, are in the Chevette category. Chevettes struggle to keep up with the Corvette or the Corvette wastes time and value keeping pace with the Chevettes.

What Does It Mean To Be An Agile Organization

By Annemarie Wolfrat, Hannah Price – October 16, 2020

https://www.cmcrossroads.com/article/what-does-it-mean-be-agile-organization

Anne Marie and Hannah provide 6 keys to agile success:

1. Guide, don’t manage.

2. Involve everyone.

3. Trust and be trusted.

4. Be honest, transparent, and open-minded.

5. Encourage a strong feedback culture.

6. Be a rule breaker.

These six keys are actually encompassed within one of six more-involved behavioural cells to create an agile organization. Imagine taking that Chevette and inserting a HEMI© engine, but replacing nothing else. It could keep up with the Corvette for a short time before things begin to fall apart faster than before.

An agile organization is a system that collects different components with their own reasons for being and function, yet they work together with other components towards a larger evolving vision. The human body is the best example – a lot of different parts with different functions synchronized and working together to keep the individual alive.

The six keys listed above are focused on leadership behaviours and qualities of an agile team, department, division and organization. In the 21st century, organizations can no longer be treated as machines; there must be a paradigm shift to treat them as an evolving organism.

Want to learn more about achieving the shift from machine to organism to evolve into an agile organization? Click below for an on-demand webinar.