Leadership agility is the ability to take effective action in complex, rapidly changing conditions. Team and organizational agility refer to the same set of capacities in teams and organizations.
The term "agility" was first used in the 1990s to describe manufacturing organizations that could adapt quickly to changing customer needs. By the early 2000s, the concept of agility had broadened to mean the ability to "anticipate and respond to rapidly changing conditions" and to "effectively manage complex, interdependent relationships." Because of mounting complexity and a relentless, accelerating pace of change in the global economy, it became clear that all organizations, including service firms, government agencies, and non-profits – and the teams within them – need to develop higher levels of agility. Over the course of this past decade the agile software development movement has also gathered considerable momentum.
It stands to reason that agile teams and organizations require agile leaders. But until recently, little was known about what agile leadership looks like in action and the underlying mental and emotional capacities it requires. We initiated an extensive, five-year research project focused squarely on this question. The results of this research, which included learnings from 25 years of work with leaders, is captured in our book, Leadership Agility.
What Does Leadership Agility Include?
Our book reports several key findings that are extremely important for leaders and leadership development professionals alike. (For more detail, see our Change Model).
First, leadership agility is not a single competency. It is an interconnected set of capabilities that includes (a) context-setting agility, how leaders select and frame important initiatives; (b) stakeholder agility, how fully leaders understand the perspectives held by differing stakeholders and how fully they create greater alignment with them; (c) creative agility, which is needed to solve complex, novel problems; and (d) self-leadership agility, how proactive leaders are in learning from their experience.
Second, to agile leaders apply these four kinds of agility in three key action arenas: leading organizational change, leading teams, and engaging in pivotal conversations.
Third, the capacity for leadership agility evolves through five clearly identifiable levels that correspond to well-established stages of personal development: Expert, Achiever, Catalyst, Co-Creator, and Synergist.
Highly agile leaders realize that we live in an era of permanent change, a turbulent global environment that is complex, uncertain, and fiercely competitive. They understand that these realities will require them and their organizations to adapt again and again to constantly changing conditions. They have an intentional, proactive approach to change. They anticipate emerging threats and opportunities by continually scanning their organization's environment for new developments. They view the challenges they face with fresh eyes and a willingness to rethink past assumptions.
Agile leaders are creative thinkers with a deep sense of purpose. They actively engage diverse stakeholders, influencing and learning from them at the same time. Their ability to examine situations from multiple perspectives and to "connect the dots" between seemingly disparate issues allows them to generate novel strategic insights. As a result, their visions for the future are innovative, purposeful, and compelling.
Agile leaders have a broad repertoire of behaviors that allows them to rapidly adjust their leadership style to the demands of any given situation. They give appropriately balanced attention to short-term and long-term priorities, to top-down direction-setting and meaningful participation, and to fostering individual initiative and strong teamwork.
Agile leaders are resilient in responding to the difficulties and discomforts that change and uncertainty often bring. They seek feedback from multiple sources and use both mistakes and successes as fodder for continual learning and development. Finally, they are committed to creating agile teams and organizations and to helping those around them become more effective leaders.
Our research has also shown that agility is also not a single team or organizational capacity, but rather a set of capacities, analogous to those needed for leadership agility. As with individual leaders, agile teams and leadership cultures are characterized by context-setting agility, stakeholder agility, creative agility, and the ability to be proactive in learning from experience.
Based on our research, we estimate that the percentage of managers operating at each level of leadership agility is: 10% pre-Expert, 45% Expert, 35% Achiever, and 10% Catalyst and beyond. Prior to the closing years of the 20th century, this predominantly Achiever/Expert constellation of leadership worked fairly well. However, the pace of change and degree of complexity in the global economy has now moved to a whole new level. To enjoy sustained success in this highly turbulent environment, leaders, teams, and leadership cultures need to operate at the Catalyst level of agility, at least at the more senior levels. This is the great leadership challenge for today's organizations.
To learn more about levels of agility, see our Change Model.
As a way to ease into the book, read the Leadership Agility white paper.
Find out more about the award-winning book.
Check out the services we provide to help your leaders, teams, and organizations increase their agility and effectiveness.


Three Harper College fashion students scored first-place titles at the annual Fashion Group International Design Competition in Chicago this month, beating out competitors from four-year colleges and universities in three categories.
Marlene Witt of Hanover Park took the top prize for Evening Wear with a pink knee-length strapless gown; Amela Bego of Schaumburg earned a win in Wearable Art for a gown made from a hand-crocheted skirt and a repurposed long-sleeved knit dress; and Genevieve Jauquet of Lake Barrington received a first-place title for her navy blue lace-lined trench coat.
The three, who earned scholarship cash, were among nine Harper students who advanced to the contest's finals.
"We are very proud of all of our students and so very pleased for these winners," says Cheryl Turnauer, who heads up the College's fashion department. "They put their hearts into these garments, they represented Harper spectacularly on the runway, and they have certainly earned their victories."
Harper's fashion students historically have done well at competitions, racking up wins at various contests across the nation.


← Letter to Van Gogh.
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Love the beautiful lines in this drawing, Russell. Captures the vibrancy of spring and is refreshing to see now that we're under the heavy mugginess of this strange London summer!
I loved that drawing. Very nice art.
Gracias :-D Best regards, Russell.
it's great to see your work again.
Beautiful drawing, and a smart one too. There are so many things people can come up with for the meaning of the invisible tree, that this drawing becomes, like a good poem or book, also something uniquely personal to everyone.
Thanks Selon, I hesitated before including the tree—it was a gamble that paid off :-D Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Best regards, Russell.
I'm very glad you did include the tree it is beautiful.
Like the tree in the picture i love art very much it is fun to draw my favorite subject in school is art it is very beautiful.
Wow, so much detail !
Thanks Inari. Yes, I was having fun here. It can be daunting drawing in public, nothing is in your control, and the world moves at break-neck speed, but you soon find new coping skills, and your drawings improves with time. Thanks for dropping by, Russell.
I also enjoyed the written part below.
Thanks Maria, glad to hear it. Best, Russell.
Thanks Otávio :-D Best, Russell.
This is amazing! – Just to let you know that I nominated you for 'Versatile blogger of the year.' (post is on my page). Keep up the great work!
Thank you Neha, thanks too for the nomination. Kind regards, Russell.
Wow! Amazing, so full of life and so complex.
How lovely, libraries are wonderful places. I have such fond memories of my little local library when I was a child, a treasure trove of fantasy. My favourite sketching place is a little cafe on the first floor of a book shop in an early 20th century cinema. I can look down on life passing below me.


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The Nation's Busiest Bridges
Click to download the full version of this report, with data for all 102 metropolitan areas over 500,000 people.
Pounded by heavy traffic day in and day out, the bridges in our metropolitan areas are indispensable links in the transportation system that takes millions of people to work and goods to market every day. And they threaten to become weak links, as they age and deteriorate in an era when public investment in infrastructure is shrinking in relative terms.
The impact of a failure to attend to our bridges became all too clear in September, 2011, when the governors of Kentucky and Indiana were forced to close the busy Sherman Minton Bridge in metropolitan Louisville after inspectors found cracks in its structural beams. The closure made national headlines as Louisville traffic was snarled and millions of Americans wondered about the condition of the busy bridges they have to cross each day.
With the majority of American bridges soon due for major maintenance, overhaul or replacement, scenarios such as this could begin playing out with increasing frequency absent concerted effort and investment.
The largest 102 metropolitan areas
Transportation for America conducted an analysis of the National Bridge Inventory, a database produced by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and found one in nine U.S. bridges has been rated "structurally deficient." This means that the bridge is in need of more frequent monitoring and critical, near-term maintenance, rehabilitation or replacement.
Structurally deficient bridges in metropolitan areas carry a disproportionate share of all trips taken on a deficient bridge each day. In fact, deficient bridges in the largest 102 metropolitan areas carry three-quarters of all traffic crossing a deficient bridge.
Put another way, there are more deficient bridges in these 102 regions than there are McDonald's restaurants in the entire country – 18,239 versus about 14,000. Worldwide, McDonald's serves a staggering 64 million people a day. But here in America, 210 million trips are taken daily across deficient bridges in just these 102 regions.
Pennsylvania leads all other states in the nation with six metropolitan areas with a high percentage of deficient bridges. Pittsburgh leads the way with 30 percent of area bridges rated deficient — higher even than the state average of 26.5 percent. It is important to note that these numbers would be worse without the intensive bridge repair program implemented by Pennsylvania in the last several years, including a quadrupling of state funding for bridge repairs.
California leads the nation with the busiest deficient bridges. In Los Angeles, for example, 396 cars drive across a structurally deficient bridge every second of each day, on average. When ranking metros by the sheer volume of traffic on deficient bridges, California regions take several of the top spots, with the daily volume in Los Angeles at number one, more than double that of second place New York.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Texas A&M is the state's oldest public university and largest university, and one of the largest in the nation: a research-intensive, land-grant institution with 68,400 students, including 14,900 in graduate or professional school. Students choose from more than 130 undergraduate and 240 graduate degree programs in 16 colleges and schools, and participate in more than 1,100 student-run organizations and activities (including the Big Event, the largest one-day, student-run service project in the United States).
Texas A&M ranks sixteenth nationally in research expenditures, with more than $892 in FY2016 (National Science Foundation), and is a member of the Association of American Universities. Texas A&M ranks at or near the top among universities nationally in the areas of academic excellence, value, and affordability; on-time student graduation rates (both overall and for minorities); student engagement and happiness; and students who graduate with less college-related debt and become the nation's highest-earning graduates. Texas A&M also is tied for having the most graduates serving as CEOs of Fortune 500 companies.


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The Houston Press is looking for interns with excellent writing and/or photography skills to contribute to Eating Our Words and our other dining coverage.
Interns must be enrolled in college presently; this program is for course credit only. You must be able to work at least 12 hours per week, although there's some flexibility during finals.
Interested? Send writing samples and/or photos to intern coordinator Olivia Flores Alvarez at olivia.alvarez@houstonpress.com.


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Sonny Garrish • Nashville Cats, 2018
Sonny Garrish, a steel guitarist who played on countless Nashville sessions from the 1960s through the 1990s, reminisces during this Nashville Cats...
John Hobbs • Nashville Cats, 2012
Nashville Cats • 1h 37m
John Hobbs surveys his career as a session pianist and producer in this thorough interview, held March 10, 2012, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, as part of the Nashville Cats series. Among other topics, he discusses his decision to move from Los Angeles to Nashville and his work with Kenny Rogers, Merle Haggard, Vince Gill and others.
Born in California in 1950, Hobbs describes growing up in a household with siblings who were musical, even though their parents were not. He discusses the influence of Charlie Rich, Leon Russell, and Elton John on his musical approach.
While recounting his early career, he talks about his work with Freddy Fender, Terry Melchen, Olivia Newton-John, Lionel Richie, and Phil Spector, as well as playing in the house band at the fabled Palomino Club in Los Angeles.
Later in the interview, he recalls meeting Vince Gill through Rodney Crowell. From 1984 to 1994, Hobbs traveled to Nashville from Los Angeles for about eight to ten weeks a year for session work. The program includes clips of his notable sessions during this time for George Strait, Hank Williams Jr., and Reba McEntire.
He offers insight into his television work, ranging from sitcoms to talk shows to the Academy of Country Music's annual awards ceremony. He also reminisces about the experience of playing on Jane Fonda's exercise videos and talks about spending more time in Nashville as he began to produce Collin Raye. Around this time, he says went through a divorce and his youngest daughter graduated from high school, prompting the move.
"The thing about Nashville," Hobbs notes, "is that there's a sense of community here in the music business that I just never felt in Los Angeles. I think to some extent it's geographical. Most of the music business in Nashville is contained in three long blocks. It has the feeling of a college campus. You walk around and you see people that you know every day. I really wanted to be here. My friends were here and I was doing a great business here."
Through more clips, Hobbs is heard on hit singles by Pam Tillis, Patty Loveless, Martina McBride, and Deana Carter. He closes the program with mentions of his work with groups such as The Players, The Notorious Cherry Bombs, and The Hellecasters. He also shares the advice he received from studio musician Jay Dee Maness that he still thinks about today.
The program ends with a performance of a song he wrote with Matraca Berg titled "When They Lay Me Down."
Up Next in Nashville Cats
Sonny Garrish, a steel guitarist who played on countless Nashville sessions from the 1960s through the 1990s, reminisces during this Nashville Cats program about his early interest in the instrument and the country legends he's worked with along the way. Held December 1, 2018, at the Country Musi...
Jimmy Capps • Nashville Cats, 2012
Jimmy Capps, a member of the Grand Ole Opry Band since 1967, discusses his experiences as a session player and demonstrates his technique during this Museum program, recorded on June 16, 2012, as part of the Nashville Cats series. Capps was known as "the master of smoothness" for the way he made ...
The Jordanaires • Nashville Cats, 2008
The Jordanaires' Gordon Stoker and Ray Walker reminisce about the vocal group's career highlights, sharing stories about recording with Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, Tammy Wynette, and others.
During the October 25, 2008, program—part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's Nashville Cats s...


There's a nice scene in Michael Mann's great 1999 movie, "The Insider," which is about "60 Minutes," the Big Tobacco lawsuit, and intrepid journalism. The movie is essentially "All the President's Men" for the '90s.
It's the media mocking the false innocence of Big Tobacco.
Climate change? We don't know. We just quote these two scientists—one of whom believes and one who doesn't. After that, you're on your own, we don't know. Trump's latest claim? We're not sure. We're just repeating what people in power are saying. We don't know.
Objectivity is not stupidity but too often the media makes it so. There's often no attempt to follow up, not much of an attempt to even do what Jon Stewart did—see if the people in power are contradicting what they said 10 years ago, or five years ago, or last year or last week. It's stenography. And it has to stop if we're going to survive as a democracy.
Some of the press has gotten a little better at it: The "Trump Accuses Obama of Wiretapping, Cites No Evidence" kind of thing. Trump is actually helpful in this regard. He's such a psychopathic liar he's forcing the press to own up to what the facts are. But I don't think Trump would be where he is, destroying our country, if the media had simply done a better job covering the 2016 election.


Face it. Despite what you think of the popularity of soccer in America, the World Cup is the biggest non-single day sporting event in the world not called the Olympics. Every four years, Americans love to bask in the five rings and the torch, so why get left out for the crowing event in the world's most popular sport?
Joining "What in the World Cup? The 2018 Dubsism World Cup Challenge" is easy. All you have to do is follow this link, use the pool ID 142278 and password DubsismRussia2018, pick your winners, both in the Group Stage, and then again in the Knockout Round..
This entry was posted on June 7, 2018 by J-Dub in Soccer, Sports and tagged Soccer, World Cup.


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'Horrible' effects of homelessness and poverty at the centre of 2017 LifeLink Winter Appeal
In 1987, then Prime Minister Bob Hawke promised to ensure that 'By 1990, no Australian child will live in poverty."
VERITAS 2017: Experiencing God's love and the richness of the Catholic faith
Excitement is in the air for the coming weekend as the biggest Catholic youth conference in Western Australia, the Veritas Youth Festival is set to kick off tomorrow evening.
Sister Paula McAdam remembered for her faithful service to the community
Following a career that spanned more than 60 years, Sr Paula McAdam was remembered for her faithful service to God, her adventurous ways, kindness and most importantly for her attentive presence to the community.
Melbourne professor to present case for Laudato Si at upcoming lecture
A lecture to be held next month at the Redemptorist Monastery in North Perth will explore Catholic teachings on the environment with special reference to Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical Laudato Si – with the help of Melbourne-based Professor Anthony Kelly.
EXCLUSIVE: New Geraldton Bishop promises to walk journey of hope filled with the joy of the Lord
Newly ordained Geraldton Bishop Michael Morrissey encouraged the lay faithful to model their behaviour on Jesus Christ, 'who became vulnerable for our sake, and who reveals to us through the Holy Spirit, God's love for us'.
Thousands gather to honour 50 years of dedication and service by Monsignor Tim Corcoran
A packed church and a stream of honours greeted Thornlie Parish Priest Monsignor Timothy Corcoran as he celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination on Sunday 11 June with a Mass and community lunch.
Perth student's hearts come alive for those in need
Some 70 young men and women last weekend volunteered their time to create a powerful visual demonstration now on display at St Mary's Cathedral in a follow-on event of Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe's LifeLink Day initiative.
Musicians conference to foster joyful song and unity
Being held for three days from 5 to 7 October at the Rendezvous Hotel, Scarborough, the theme of this year's Conference is 'Sing with Joy! United in Diversity'
Father Albert Saminedi proclaiming the good news for 25 years
Girrawheen Parish Priest Father Albert Saminedi, also known as Fr Sam, last month celebrated 25 years of priestly vocation on 20 May at Our Lady of Mercy Parish together with parishioners, family and friends.
EXCLUSIVE: WA Catholic primary students open their hearts to those in need for LifeLink
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe has last week emphasised the importance of seeing others in need through Jesus' parable of the rich man, during an address to primary students as part of his annual LifeLink Day initiative.
Bearers of the Holy Spirit – Called to be living witnesses in a community of faith
Being bearers of the Holy Spirit as living witnesses of God's love in the world was the message of Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB for Pentecost Sunday.
Presentation Sisters bid farewell to Iona Presentation Primary School
The Iona Presentation Primary School community last week came together to commemorate the handing over of the school to Archbishop Timothy Costelloe.
Catholic Education WA and United Arab Emirates discuss collaboration
Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) Executive Director Dr Tim McDonald highlights below the impact CEWA will have when it collaborates with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to reach and work together towards achieving the best educational needs for its students.