Most people agree that Albert Einstein was an agile thinker, philosopher, and genius, and we can give some weight to his words and thoughts. While not recognized as a towering business entrepreneur, Einstein understood life and logic and offered this sound advice that every agile leader should take to heart:
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”
Among the key traits of an agile leader, the ability and willingness to learn from past experiences stand out as essential. But what distinguishes someone with a few nimble leadership traits from a truly agile leader?
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Learning: The Core of Agile Leadership
We live in a rapidly evolving world, and agile leaders consider this chapter in history as one of opportunity, not overwhelming challenges. In fact, the demand for reliable and inspiring agile leadership may be greater than ever.
Perhaps the most inspiring component of leadership in this era is the recognition that team members are no longer seen as a single block called “followers” constantly in awe of the one “leader” of the organization or structure. Now that team members are becoming actualized as crucial elements of a successful operation, agile leaders of today and tomorrow are learning to tap into the endless potential within their talent pool for maximal results.
Just as a conductor coordinates and integrates the individual talents of each orchestra member, agile leaders encourage each team player to bring their best performance to the stage of business. While the result of an impressive and memorable performance earns the conductor praise, it requires talented individuals to work together to deliver such complex and cohesive work. The agile leader understands the necessity of maintaining enough control to keep the team functioning as a unit while relinquishing enough freedom for each player to perform at their peak level.
This points to the necessity of instilling the characteristics of an agile leader within each team member.
Developing Agile Team Players
A successful agile leader creates a culture where every team member develops the same leadership attributes within themselves, again emphasizing learning as the core component of effective influence. An agile leader is not threatened by the idea of helping every player develop their skills. Rather, they find the process motivating and usually yield new ideas, energy, and synergy to strengthen and encourage the entire team.
In such cases, agile leadership finds a deeper bond with and greater respect from each team member, with the team itself creating deeper roots and connections. There is something magical when a group trusts each player to bring their best to the table, leading to unexpected outcomes and shattered goals. While some of this “magic” will be attributed to agile leadership, respectfully spreading the success across the entire team achieves greater results.
The Co-Active Leadership Experience: Upping Your Agile Leadership Game
Top agile leaders across multiple industries have discovered the immeasurable value of participating in the Co-Active Leadership Workshop, finding immediate positive benefits from this three-day live online experience. Not only do you connect with the latest techniques designed to elevate the performance of every player on your team, but you will also network with other influential agility leaders, unlock self-awareness about your growth capacity, and develop new and strong connections that will deepen your expertise.
During the three-day workshop, you will be immersed in the five dimensions of the Co-Active dimensional leadership model. This allows you to discover your strengths and weaknesses in each area, obtain the tools and skills necessary to master each one, and continue growing in every dimension of this valuable model.
Here is a brief introduction to each dimension you will encounter during the workshop:
Leader Within: Self-Acceptance and Self-Authority
We all recognize change begins inside ourselves, but it is easy to forget this basic premise during the intensity of our regular workdays. Agile leadership starts with being a “leader within”: revisiting the basic truth that you are not broken (meaning there is nothing to fix) and are free to release your energy, imagination, creativity, and intelligence. In return, you find your world expanding and growing, finding fulfillment in more everyday experiences.
Leader in Front: Connection and Direction
Instead of taking firm control and hurling demands upon the masses, the “leader in front” first turns and faces the team, sharing their vision and inspiration. Once agreement and motivation are in place, the leader in front marches toward success. This is the perfect opportunity to shed any last vestiges of that old, ineffective iron-fist management style and embrace a dimension that produces results.
Leader Behind: Serving and Coaching
An agile leader understands the satisfaction of being in the limelight and getting all the kudos and praise for their accomplishments. For this reason, a successful agile leader also knows the importance of standing behind the scenes when appropriate, creating spotlights for other players to shine.
Leader Beside: Partnership and Synergy
In agile leadership, you need to know when to co-lead and collaborate with others. Leading an initiative with a partner has many benefits. You can count on each other to inspire the team with a clear vision as you maintain the course. Leading in collaboration with another skilled leader is as energizing for the leadership team as it is for those being led. There is something special about being in the fray with everyone else, with sleeves rolled up and minds focused on the task.
This synergy is something that can’t be learned — only experienced. As is often the case, during some of the most intense situations and challenges, you will be impressed at what your team members can and will deliver.
Leader in the Field: Intuition and Innovation
It is difficult to imagine an agile leader oblivious to their surroundings. Intuition is often the catalyst that spearheads innovation, so agile leaders are encouraged to develop an increased awareness of their environment, the feelings and attitudes between people, and their inner balance. Creating calm within a maelstrom is an enviable trait that your team members can learn to emulate once they see their leader regularly practicing it and getting positive results. Most importantly, your imagination, intuition, and insights rise gently and clearly like bubbles of realization and inspiration, creating a clear atmosphere for new concepts, directions, and goals.
Agile leadership is a process, not a static state. Consequently, developing and honing the positive characteristics of an agile leader is a way of being, not an item to tick off a checklist.
Experiencing Co-Active Agile Leadership
The Co-Active Leadership Experience is an integral step in developing this way of living and working. Most attendees have seen distinct changes in their leadership style and level of fulfillment, personally and within their careers.
If you are curious about Co-Active Leadership Training and want to explore your growth capacity, register for our Grow Your Capacity Webinar. Explore all of our Coach Training and Leadership Training programs on our website today.