This article has been written by Shwetha K M pursuing a Remote freelancing and profile building program from Skill Arbitrage.

This article has been edited and published by Shashwat Kaushik.

Introduction 

The Agile framework is a boon to the current business world, as the Agile principles are loaded with a framework to steer with uncertainty, respond swiftly to change and promote continuous improvement.

Agile leadership encourages the current dynamic business environment to follow the Agile framework, which helps the business be more adaptive, collaborative and people-centric. Agile leadership will have the skills to navigate uncertainty and respond swiftly to change in an environment that promotes continuous improvement. 

Agile leadership moves towards flexible, iterative, collaborative and empowering approach from the old-fashioned top-down management method. Overall, agile leadership is a mindset that values individuals and interactions, encourages change and helps increase team potential.

Demand for agile leadership

In the traditional top-down management method, it was difficult to keep track of the rapid technological changes, which may have led to a lack of opportunities and team inefficiencies. Whereas agile leadership can work with unprecedented levels of complexity, rapid technological changes, irrespective of the business domains. 

An agile framework defines a set of principles and practices that highlight the importance of adapting to technological changes and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation. Agile leaders can be flexible and adaptive by tailoring their strategies based on the different challenges and opportunities the business encounters.

Mastering Agile leadership will provide the principles, strategies, and tools and also provide a way of transformative thinking and leading, well-suited to the demands of modern complex businesses.

Agile leadership core principles

Following are the core principles of agile leadership, which serve as the foundation for creating an environment where teams can thrive:-

Adaptability

As one of the fundamental aspects of adaptability, the agile leader should promote embracing change and iterative learning within the team.

Sub principle	Explanation	Implementation
Embracing changes	Agile leaders embrace change as they recognise it as an inevitable and, more importantly, valuable aspect of business. They develop the mindset that change is not a disruption but an opportunity for growth, improvement and innovation.	Communicate the benefits of the change to the team.Adjust the strategies and plans to match the circumstances.Grow a culture of continuous learning to accept the new challenges and the changes that follow them.
Iterative learning	Agile leaders encourage the team to cultivate a culture of continuous learning and improve themselves.	Conduct a retrospective to check on the past performance and to identify areas for improvement.Collect feedback from the stakeholders and work on it.

Collaboration

As one of the fundamental aspects of collaboration, the Agile leader should promote Cross-Functional and Open-Communication within the team. 

Sub principle	Explanation	Implementation
Cross- functional	Agile leaders should promote collaboration across different functionality/areas. They understand the value of diverse perspectives in solving complex problems and driving innovation.	Structure team members based on their diverse skills and backgrounds.Align team goals with organisational objectives.
Open-Communication	Agile leaders should encourage the team to feel comfortable with each other by sharing their ideas, providing feedback and expressing concerns openly, as effective communication plays an important role in building a good and supportive team.	Share relevant information openly and transparently.Actively listen to other team members and stakeholders.Collecting feedback regularly.Establish open communication channels to facilitate collaboration and information flow.

Servant leadership

As one of the fundamental aspects of servant leadership, the agile leader should always put the team first and try to remove obstacles.

Sub principle	Explanation	Implementation
Putting team first	Agile leaders should adopt a servant leadership mindset where they prioritise their team’s needs over their own. They should support and empower the team, which leads to greater overall success.	Provide the necessary resources and tools for the team to succeed.Identify and remove impediments hindering team progress.Acknowledge and celebrate team achievements and contributions.
Removing obstacles	Agile leaders should try to identify and eliminate the obstacles the team is facing. And create an environment where the team can work without any unnecessary barriers and feel free to share their problems to complete the task.	Anticipate potential obstacles and address them in the meeting.Empowering the team to find and implement solutions to challenges.Encourage continuous improvement in their work and find opportunities for learning and growth.

The impact of agile leadership

Agile leadership does not just impact team performance; it also influences the entire organisation’s resilience. Agile leadership turns business into strong tools for success- for example, by improving team performance, helping the business adapt to the changes, and increasing employee satisfaction.

There are many benefits to agile leadership. Some of these benefits include:

• Increased innovation: Agile leaders create a culture of innovation and encourage their teams to think outside the box. This can lead to the development of new products and services that give organisations a competitive advantage.
• Improved customer satisfaction: Agile leaders focus on building strong relationships with their customers and stakeholders. This can lead to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Increased employee engagement: Agile leaders empower their teams to make decisions and take ownership of their work. This can lead to increased employee engagement and motivation.
• Improved organisational performance: Agile organisations are able to respond quickly to change and adapt to new challenges. This can lead to improved organisational performance and profitability.

Here are some of the key characteristics of agile leaders:

• They are visionary: Agile leaders have a clear vision for the future of their organisation. They are able to articulate this vision to their team and inspire them to work towards it.
• They are adaptable: Agile leaders are able to adapt to change quickly and easily. They are not afraid to try new things and experiment.
• They are collaborative: Agile leaders work collaboratively with their team and stakeholders. They value input from others and are willing to compromise.
• They are empowering: Agile leaders empower their teams to make decisions and take ownership of their work. They trust their team members to do their best work.
• They are focused on results: Agile leaders are focused on achieving results. They set clear goals and hold themselves and their team accountable for achieving them.

Agile leadership strategies

Below discussed strategies can be customised to adapt agile leadership:

Leading by example

Customisation	Strategy	Execution
Modelling agile values	Agile leaders understand the importance of embodying team values within the team. This involves consistently demonstrating behaviours aligned with Agile principles, such as collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to continuous improvement.	Actively participating in collaborative activities with team members.Collecting feedback and sharing it within the team for their improvement.Explaining the importance of accepting the change and adapting to it.
Demonstrating flexibility	Agile leaders exhibit flexibility in their decision-making processes. They recognise that rigid plans may need adjustments in response to changing circumstances and are willing to adapt their strategies accordingly.	Being open to reevaluation of priorities based on evolving business needs.Adjusting timelines and resource allocations as necessary.

Building a learning culture

Customisation	Strategy	Execution
Encouraging experimentation	Agile leaders adopt a culture where experimentation is accepted and encouraged. Agile leaders should make the team understand that failure is a part of innovation and an opportunity for valuable learning and they should be ready to take calculated risks.	Provide safe environment for teams to workEncourage team to take calculated risk.Celebrate success and failure as opportunities for learning.Guide the team to experiment with new technology.
Providing learning opportunities	Agile leaders invest in continuous learning at both the individual and organisational levels. They recognise the importance of keeping skills up-to-date and staying informed about industry trends.	Provide training and workshops on the required skills.Encourage the team to participate in webinars, meeting or conferences related to the business.Support the team to take up certification courses or professional development.

Agile decision-making

Customisation	Strategy	Execution
Decentralised decision-making	Agile leaders should support decision-making across teams, empowering individuals to make decisions aligned with their expertise.	Define responsibilities within the team.Encourage the team to make decisions and consider diverse perspectives.Provide support and guidance to the team during difficult times.
Data-driven decision-making	Agile leaders influence data and insights to inform their decisions, ensuring that choices are based on objective information rather than assumptions or personal biases.	Make a decision based on the collected data.Identify the patterns, trends, and areas for improvement.Be very transparent in your communication and the decision you make based on the data.

Challenges in mastering agile leadership

The main challenges in introducing agile leadership within the organisation, which follows the traditional model, are:

• Employees may be accustomed to established ways of working and may be hesitant to embrace a more collaborative and adaptive approach.
• Existing leadership structures may not align with the more decentralised and collaborative nature of agile leadership.
• Ensuring that agile principles are consistently applied across multiple teams and departments.
• Scaling agile leadership requires developing leadership capabilities at all levels of the organisation.
• Building a leadership pipeline that embodies Agile values and principles is essential but can be time-consuming.

To overcome these challenges, agile leadership can follow below discussed strategies:

• Conduct workshops and training to communicate and educate the team on the benefits of Agile to the team.
• As part of the pilot programmes, introduce smaller parts of Agile practices to the team.
• Identify the enthusiastic team peer to act as a “Change Campions.”
• Engaging leaders in coaching and mentoring relationships with experienced Agile coaches can provide personalised guidance on aligning leadership styles with Agile principles.
• Establishing standardised Agile practices and frameworks that can be applied consistently across different teams ensures a common understanding and approach.
• Encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing among different Agile teams helps maintain alignment and consistency in Agile practices.
• Implementing structured training programmes for leaders at different levels to acquire and enhance agile leadership skills.
• Identifying potential leaders within the organisation and creating a succession plan that focuses on developing agile leadership skills.

Implementing agile leadership: practical steps

As part of implementing agile leadership, the organisation can incorporate the following methods:

Training type	Training details
Investing in leadership development	Organisations should invest in agile leadership training programmes to train recognised leaders with the skills and mindset necessary for agile success.Generally, agile leadership training programmes are conducted either through workshops or coaching sessions.
Mentoring and coaching	The best way to train is to pair leaders with experienced agile coaches or mentors in  real-world scenarios. This mentorship helps leaders navigate challenges and continuously refine their approach.
Regular retrospectives	Implementing regular retrospectives allows leaders to gather feedback, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments to their leadership approach. These reflective sessions contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
360-degree feedback	Leaders actively seek feedback from all stakeholders. 360-degree feedback provides a holistic view of leadership effectiveness, creating self-awareness and a sense of commitment within the team.

Conclusion

To conclude, mastering agile leadership is crucial to encapsulating the essence of an agile framework. Agile Leadership is not merely a set of practices but a transformative philosophy that reshapes the way leaders approach their roles. With some of the fundamental insights like adaptability, collaboration, servant leadership, etc., agile leadership can help any modern complex business become successful.

Also, as businesses evolve and face new challenges, agile leadership remains a dynamic and evolving philosophy. Agile leadership is a mindset that encourages continuous improvement and learning.

Mastering agile leadership is an ongoing journey rather than a destination. Leaders committed to Agile principles will find themselves better equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern business world, inspiring their teams to achieve remarkable outcomes.

References

• Sutherland, J., & Schwaber, K. (2013). The Scrum Guide. Scrum.org.
• Cohn, M. (2010). Succeeding with Agile: Software Development Using Scrum. Addison-Wesley.
• Humble, J., & Farley, D. (2010). Continuous Delivery: Reliable Software Releases through Build, Test, and Deployment Automation. Addison-Wesley.
• https://www.agilealliance.org/agile101/agile-glossary/
• https://martinfowler.com/articles/itsNotJustStandingUp.html