One of the most lauded leadership characteristics today is the ability to pivot — to change course quickly when a planned path is blocked or revealed to be disadvantageous. This kind of rapid adaptation, often referred to as agility, is critical in a fast-changing environment or when innovating in unknown territory where old behaviors and management practices no longer work. It’s considered by some to be a leadership superpower.
How to Avoid the Churn That Comes with Agility
Define an end goal that stays constant — even as the means to achieve it change.
September 20, 2023
Illustration by Carlo Cadenas
Summary.
Leaders today know that they need to be agile — to change direction quickly in the face of changing or uncertain conditions. But a byproduct of agility is churn: The confusion and demotivation that comes from many such pivots. This can cause inefficiency that bogs down innovative projects and strategies. The author advises that leaders instead set and communicate an unchanging overarching goal, while allowing that how they achieve that goal can and will change over time.
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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
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.