Personal Agility 

The ability to anticipate and respond rapidly to changing conditions; acknowledging we live in an era of global permanent change, agility means taking a proactive approach to change, anticipating challenges and opportunities, a willingness to rethink past assumptions, and readily, willingly, rapidly and effectively adapting to change. 

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People with this competence: 

• Manage changing situations and transitions with ease;

• Examine situations from many perspectives;

• Anticipate the need for change before it is imposed;

• Strategically and proactively embrace change;

• Are willing to rethink their assumptions;

• Are adaptable, flexible and respond rapidly in the face of change;

• Learn from experience; and

• Adjust their approach to meet the demands of ever-changing situations.

 

People lacking this competency:

• Lack the perspective to deal with changing realities;

• Deny, ignore, and/or resist change as it occurs around them;

• Are unwilling to explore or be open to the new possibilities that change may bring;

• Lack the ability to anticipate and adapt to change;

• Blame others for changing circumstances; and

• Maintain an inflexible attitude in the face of change.

 

Development tips:

• Acknowledge the normal human responses (phases) of change - denial, resistance, exploration, and new beginnings - and make a commitment to maintaining an open mind toward change and its phases - Ask questions, seek out information, maintain a “big picture” view of world realities, anticipate changes before they occur, and brainstorm possible approaches to dealing with change;

• Separate fact from fiction – differentiate what you want to happen from what will or is happening;

• Acknowledge what is within your control and what isn’t, and focus on what you can control;

• Seek out people who can provide you with support during transitions; and

• Be willing to try out new ideas. Be willing to question long-held assumptions. 

 

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but those most responsive to change.” - Charles Darwin 

 

Great Resources: 

Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes, by William Bridges 

Leadership Agility, by Bill Joiner and Stephen Josephs

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