AGILE - Dealing with a VUCA world

Thanks to Louis McCann, Executive Director of PIJAC Canada for thinking of me.


Louis heard Bob Johansen speak at the Top2Top Summit in California a few weeks ago and actually phoned me from the conference to tell me I needed to review Bob's approach to forecasting in a VUCA world. A few days later an unexpected parcel arrived from Louis with Bob Johansen's 'Leaders Make the Future' which I have now read. Wow!  I certainly found this a compelling read and a great contribution to my understanding of the role of leaders in 'future'.


My first contact with, and understanding of, a world which is volatile (V), uncertain (U), complex (C) and ambiguous (A) - a VUCA world, came to me from my son who is in the military.  In Aaron's situation/field training, he encountered this acronym and a military model for dealing with survival, sustainability and even success under these conditions. I'll write more of that in a future blog because I think there are things that may be helpful. But first a little about AGILE.


AGILE as a methodology was first developed to manage software development where it is still widely used today. I was first introduced to AGILE by Lori Dencsak who led the PetLynx development team in 2003. My exposure to AGILE convinced me that it was a methodology for execution that could be applied to any kind of business project. We have customized and made AGILE a methodology we use with PetLynx to execute virtually every element of the business plan. In my view, AGILE has important principles that will assist a small team of passionate people to achieve unexpected success in a VUCA world.


What has been missing, in my experience, is the ability to recognize and evaluate which human resources will excel in this environment. Not all people will do well. I have found the transparency required in communication and the focus on execution is a challenge to many. For me, Bob's book fills in some of the blanks as to the qualities leaders must possess. At the back of the book he has provided an important self-assessment tool that leaders and  potential leaders can use to understand the areas where they need growth.


Today, I noticed an article from Karl Moore and Brian McGowan in Forbes magazine that provides another important resource. Take a look at this article  and in particular, the relationship they see between agile leaders and a VUCA world.  The evaluation matrix they include, by Nick Horney and Tom O’Shea provides a really valuable overview to assess people who will be successful in this environment. I encourage you to place yourself and each member of your leadership team within the squares of this evaluation matrix. I think it will provide you with a better understanding of their 'leadership quotient'.


Why is this important?  The road into the future will be littered with brands and companies that aren't agile or don't have leaders who bring these qualities to every aspect of the organization. 


I'm just a farm boy but you can quote me on that!