A business can’t accomplish much without good leadership. Having a manager who can set an example for other team members is crucial to the overall success of a company, especially during trying times. Agile leaders were huge assets to their organizations throughout the pandemic, for example; those that thrived did so because dedicated, flexible leaders were willing and able to pivot for the good of the company.
What does it mean to be a truly “agile” leader? Below, a panel of Forbes Coaches Council members explain how they define it and the importance of becoming one.
Forbes Coaches Council members explore what it means to be an agile leader and why it matters.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. You Stay Up To Date On Everything
Agile leadership means remaining up to date on skills, developments and trends, keeping a finger on the pulse of your employees, customers and industry and maintaining a solution-focused, “How can I...” mentality. In this rapidly changing post-pandemic world, agility allows for quick pivots, innovation and diversification, which are critical to a business’s survival and success. - Ellie Shefi, Made to Change the World, Inc.
2. You’re Able To Pivot Immediately
Becoming an agile leader means you are able to pivot as soon as the circumstances demand it. It also means that you are able to navigate the waters of emotions and develop the skill of stamina. Agility also implies resilience; the ability to get back up again and again, physically, emotionally and mentally is the true indicator of a leader worth following. - Jennifer Helene, Jennifer-Helene
3. You Can Navigate Change While Remaining Collaborative
Agility combined with resilience is foundational, allowing leaders the capacity to pivot as situations require. As the year 2020 has shown us, organizations need to shift, learn, develop and refocus on new outcomes at unprecedented levels. Leaders with agility and resilience tend to thrive. Agility creates the capacity to navigate the stress of change while keeping teams in a collaborative mindset. - Lyssa deHart, Lyssa deHart, LLC
4. You’re Comfortable Leading Through Change
Being comfortable with change and leading through change is key. Take a moment to assess your first response when you face change and disruption. Do you get upset? Do you feel calm? Practice seeing yourself as water observing surroundings that are constantly changing. Being agile means you are adapting to the changes, but not letting them make you feel limited or constrained. There is always a way. - Monica Kang, InnovatorsBox
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5. You Empower People To Work Toward A Shared Vision
The principles of agile leadership are rooted in a desire to do more than just optimize efficiency; its focus is on empowering teams and individuals to work together toward a shared vision. Leaders who embody agile values, such as iterative decision making, continuous feedback and transparency, can create a shared sense of ownership and empowerment, which is essential for any company to innovate. - Doug Holt, Doug Holt Online
6. You Are Good At Responding To Changing Environments
Agile leaders can shift priorities, get everyone aligned and empower and focus their teams on the most important work. They take risks by trying new approaches and ideas, and they do this in a sustainable way. This is important, as it promotes greater leadership and team confidence in responding to challenging conditions. - Alan Trivedi, ADAPTOVATE
7. You Can Quickly Understand And Assess A Situation
Agility is all about flexibility and nimbleness. An agile leader is someone who can quickly understand something, assess situations and strategies, make decisions and take action. A great agile leader is also ready to continuously adapt, change and take risks and can quickly consider and understand a variety of viewpoints. In a rapidly evolving world, agile leadership is the pathway to success. - Denise Russo, School of Thoughts
8. You Can Optimize Or Course-Correct Any Situation
An agile leader is able to adapt to any given situation or environment. Whether something happens to the economy, your production line or your people, you are able to optimize or course-correct. An agile leader is also an avid learner. Having a wide knowledge base from professional development and reading will help, as a leader constantly adapts to change and the unplanned. - Kevin Kan, Break Out Consulting Asia
9. You Can Get The Best Out Of Others
One of the key strengths of an agile leader is their ability to flex their leadership style to get the best out of others. When you understand your own natural qualities and preferences, you’re more aware of how others are different. This means you can adapt your approach to get the best out of them, co-create better results, unlock talents and lift performance. - Gabriella Goddard, Brainsparker Innovation Academy
10. You Foster Creativity, Flexibility And Resilience
Agile leadership is the tailor-made order for the post-Covid world. A mindset that fosters creativity, flexibility and resilience is an asset that is unique and scarce, and one that is especially relevant to overcoming challenges in any dynamic environment. The only caveat is that it must be authentic in practice and not a “tick the box” exercise. It’s the only way it can work! - Jon Michail, Image Group International
11. You Know When To Bob And Weave
An agile leader is one who knows when to bob and weave and does not hold firm when a pivot is needed. However, the agile leader also recognizes the importance of consistency and execution, so as not to drive unnecessary change. Regardless of their push for change or consistency, the agile leader is fluid, flexible and communicates throughout the process. - Lindsay Miller, Reverie Organizational Development Specialists
12. You Embody Psychological Safety
With this current VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity), the world is crying out for agile leadership. Agile leaders embody and model a culture of psychological safety, which is the perfect context for engaging with team members while advancing learning and innovation. With flexibility, skill, a collaborative approach and a focus on execution in any scenario, the agile leader engages team members to deliver on time and under budget. Hire and grow them! - Christine Rose, Christine Rose Coaching & Consulting
