FountainBlue's July 15 Front Line Managers Online program on the topic of 'Embracing an Agile Mindset'. Please join me in thanking our panelists.
as a Business Leader - Louise Lamb, Coupa
as a Program Leader - Mona Hudak, Cisco
as an Engineering Leader - Pooja Agrawal, Renesas
Our Agility panelists represented a wide range of roles, organizations and backgrounds, but they have much in common:
They navigated their career with agility and grace.
They build deep networks and relationships which transcend roles, organizations and opportunities.
They embrace challenges as opportunities and stalwartly march forward to learn and grow, facilitating success for their teams, their products, and their organizations.
They are passionate and eloquent communicators who enjoy sharing their wisdom and advice.
Below is a compilation of best practices on how to embrace agility.
Be Strategic
Be purposeful and intentional about what you do and why you do it.
Be open about the challenges in front of you and inclusive and collaborative as you address them head-on.
Welcome opportunities to fail quickly, and to fail forward, learning what to-do and what not-to-do along the way.
Manage Through Change
Align everyone to a common purpose, but be open about HOW each person or group might implement/perform their tasks.
Focus on your performance, but also on the perception others have of you, and the politics which may complicate your ability to perform well.
Accept that change will always happen, and be positive and constructive when facing these changes.
Focus on delivering the business imperatives as you integrate changes.
Overcome Obstacles to Change
Identify and address the root causes for the problems and challenges in front of you.
Encourage everyone to be resourceful problem-solvers and data-centered decision-makers.
Break problems into smaller pieces so that you don't boil the ocean.
Overcome Objections to Change
Distinguish between practical and emotional resistance to change so that you can better manage the adoption of necessary changes.
Be empathetic and supportive to people who are change-resistant, and provide training, support and information so that they can better accept change.
Be patient and persistent and positive as you agilely manage others through change.
Be positive, dynamic and proactive as you lead through change.
Change is a constant, but agilely and resourcefully responding to the need for change will help yourself and your team deliver business results which satisfy customers.