Agile — the management approach that relies on small, entrepreneurial, close-to-the-customer teams — has a reputation that reflects its rapid adoption in software development. It’s for techies. It’s for hip Silicon Valley startups. It is most definitely not for big, old-line companies that are facing an existential crisis and require a full-scale turnaround. In that situation what you need is a clairvoyant dictator, someone who knows exactly what to do and can bring in the mercenaries to do it.
How Agile Teams Can Help Turnarounds Succeed
They’re better at handling variable and unpredictable situations.
July 02, 2018
Summary.
Adaptive flexible teams can much better address the variability and unpredictability of events that occur. Leaders typically take five actions to enable these teams to succeed. They communicate — even overcommunicate — the strategic ambition to a broader range of people. They serve as coaches, not commanders. They strengthen lines of communication among the teams. They accelerate learning loops, emphasizing progress over perfection. They shift measurement and reward systems to larger teams.
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Change may be the only constant in today's organizations. Here's how to lead through it.
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New!
HBR Learning
Change Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Change Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Change may be the only constant in today's organizations. Here's how to lead through it.