What does an agile leader mean to you? He adapts to everything that happens in his constantly changing context. I don’t know of many “stable” contexts at the moment, but maybe there are. Yours, how is it?
To me, being an agile leader means that the leader:
- focuses on the added value of its service;
- puts the customer at the centre of the process;
- communicates relevant information effectively and regularly;
- and above all… adapts.
The agile leader adapts to everything that happens in his or her constantly changing context.
Leaders, how do you adjust to what’s new in your context?
For readers in the IT field, you are probably familiar with project management using agile methods. What I am proposing to you is in the same spirit, and at the level of management generally.
First, let’s see what type of leader is closest to you and second, what to do to become an agile leader.
How do you juggle everyday life while taking into account the medium and long term?
#1 How do you react when there are unforeseen events and you know full well that these unforeseen events can have a negative impact on budget or time?
Here are the behaviors I observe most frequently. Which type of leader is closest to yours in a situation of unforeseen events?
- You are stressed and wait for it to pass by making as few waves as possible.
- You bring everyone back to the process, to what needs to be done. So much for the unexpected, it was necessary to foresee them.
- You love it, you play fireman and put out all the fires. You have to deliver, fix, put pressure, motivate the team with beer, etc.
- You analyze what is happening globally, you adjust everything as best you can according to the elements you know, even if it means going beyond the standard process. You make sure you’re aligned with the overall goal, or adjust the goals as needed.
Interpretation:
On the theme of the agile leader, I recommend style 4. The winning point goes to adaptation taking into account the whole. Among the benefits of this approach is that of leading the manager and his team, and then the organization, to one or more improvements in the way things are done. A positive impact of this approach is certainly an increase in customer satisfaction.
#2 What can you do to be a more agile manager?
1. Don’t forget that you have everything in you
I believe that we are more than what we think we are. This means that you have more potential than you demonstrate and maybe even that you know. The proof is that you have (we all have) a small negative inner voice. The latter’s job is to scare you, to bring you back to order, etc. It is proof that you have more possibilities. Taming it will allow you to increase your courage and self-confidence.
A confident leader takes more risk and therefore, makes faster decisions. He becomes more agile.
More confidence will lead you to stick less to old reflexes like locking yourself into a rigid process or delivering volume in firefighter mode to keep you happy. You’ll also be able to take matters into your own hands.
Coach’s request
- List your strengths, qualities, talents, successes, what you like about yourself, the compliments you usually receive, etc.
- Review this list every day, for 21 days.
Your confidence should go up a notch pretty quickly.
2. Take a step back
Managers are known for being committed people who are attached to their project or team. That’s a quality you have.
Qualities or strengths, when overused, can harm you.
For example : If you are too committed to your work, you become stressed, irritable, insomniac perhaps? At this point, how well does this quality serve you? Or do you harm? This quality becomes a hindrance.
This is where hindsight is an invaluable support.
Coach’s request
- In a situation where you need to take a step back, step back for a moment and ask yourself:
- If you were to quit your job, what would your replacement do with it?
- What would your best friend do in this situation?
Two other methods:
- Rewrite the story, write it chronologically, read it.
- Ask someone you trust to LISTEN to you. Explain it out loud. Often, when explaining a situation, the solutions come by themselves.
What are you going to do, starting today, to be a more agile leader?
This article was originally published on IT Department.
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