It depends…, I received this response countless times to many of my questions when I embarked on my first Agile Transformation. Initially that was pretty annoying, because this ambiguous an left me and my colleagues craving for concrete answers on the burning, ‘WHAT’s in it for me?’ and ‘WHY should we go Agile?’ questions. However, as I progressed further down the transformation process, I begin to see this ambiguity as an invitation – a chance to shift from a rigid, top-down approach to a collaborative, inclusive one.
A journey of choice
In the past, organisational changes were typically anounced with a grand presentation by the Board. A big PowerPoint exercise, outlining every detail of what was going to happen, and when, where, and who would be impacted. An apparent clear roadmap with timelines bringing you from A to B, a new job or an exit.
However, an Agile transformation really flips your current script, emphasising collaboration and experimentation over rigid plans and timelines. While such a 360-shift can be disorienting to most, it also presents an exciting opportunity for each and every individual to actively participate in shaping the organisation’s aspired future.
Collective ideation
As a Transformation Lead, I learned to appreciate the ambiguity of ‘It depends’. Rather than prescribing top-down solutions, it fosters collaboration and collective ideation. It encourages teams to:
- Share perspectives
- Experiment with new ways of working and thinking
- Learn from mistakes and improve
- Not just copy/paste new operating models, Agile frameworks- and tools, because it really depends on whether they work for your organisation
From change to continuous improvement
From day one of a transition to Agility, you will experience that things no longer work the way they used to work. Tried and tested methods, structures, change models and processes fail to bring the change you need.
Don’t get me wrong, all models like, Kotter’s 8 step approach, ADKAR and McKinsey’s 7S model, and so on, are super valuable. Though, when you are aiming for Business Agility, you no longer deal with just an A to B change initiative. Business Agility has an ongoing nature. It is a journey of continuous change or better said, of continuous improvement. And demands a mindset that goes beyond the established and traditional change initiatives.
Commitment from all
Working towards Business Agility impacts your entire business system and requires commitment from every corner of your organisation. Even if you decide to embrace the Agile way of working and methodologies in parts of the organisation. This collective commitment does not only involve a solid understanding of the Agile principles, but also requires an active contribution to the transformation process itself. From the Board to the workfloor, everyone plays a vital role to make the change happen, so to create that amazing customer experience you are aiming for.
Practice what you preach
Everyone understands that a transformation with a big ambition, like creating Business Agility, is not going to be a walk in the park. After the initial announcement around the Agile Transformation, our Transformation Team encountered a broad range of emotional reactions. From those who oppose the upcoming change to outright ambassadors and everything in between. All these reactions had one common, but important message between the lines : Practice what you preach!
We listened and shifted our approach rapidly. First, we set up a multidisciplinary Transformation Team. With the help of our Agile coach, we learned the philosophy behind Agile and the Agile mindset. We adopted an iterative approach, gathered ideas and feedback from colleagues and peers in the organisation to innovate concepts and processes. By working this way, we were able to improve early on in the process and based our improvements on the needs of our customers, employees and other stakeholders.
Iterative & inclusive Transformation Journey
Having led multiple transformations, I combined my learnings into the People Journey C.I.R.C.L.E. A proven and innovative methodology, designed to guide organisations on how and where to embark on their unique journey towards Business Agility. A holistic and inclusive approach to shape the future of work.
Alize Hofmeester
Today I like to share these 7 pillars of the People Journey C.I.R.C.L.E. with you so you too can enable Agility in your organisation:
A People Journey
People & Purpose is about the heart and foundation of your organisation. Go back to the roots and define the why of your organisation. Based on this outcome, you will create a compelling purpose, including your values and principles. Based on this you craft the strategy. Gain insights in what drives people, how to motivate them and how to connect people to purpose companywide. Here, you will also explore and build, skills and capabilities necessary to accelerate and lead a people led transformation, based on purpose.
C. Communication & Awareness.
There is a reason that people & interactions are highly valued in the Agile Manifesto. Therefore, we dive deeper into the fundamental principles and philosophy of Agile and combine this with the power of storytelling. Do you know what impact your transformation story has on your employees’ brain? Map your unique Transformation Journey based on individual persona’s. Create an interactive communication approach to raise companywide awareness and a desire join in wholeheartedly.
I. Identify Constraints
During the transformation to Business Agility, we solve existing problems and discover new ones along the way. To deal with the so-called Agility paradox you continuously IdentifyConstraints, and remove them. Visual management and big room planning like the Obeya, helps you to create transparency and a Governance of trust. Steady work rhythms and Quarterly Business Reviews are the secret to track progress and successfully execute upon your organisation’s strategy.
R. Role Modelling
In Business Agile organisations, leadership gets a different meaning and is no longer manifested via the hierarchical line. Hence, Role Modelling is key. Familiarise your teams with the changing role of leadership and distribution of leadership to facilitate self-organisation. Gain insights into different worldviews, how to set the example and be conscious about behaviour you would like to see, how you show this yourself and how others perceive your behaviour.
C. Community Building
The group knows more than the smartest individual. Community Buildingis all about unleashing the power of the Collective Intelligence in your organisation. Understand what nature has to do with Agility and how to build powerful networking communities in your organisation.
L. Learning Organisation
“Learning is not a spectator sport” according to Chickering & Gamson.Learning Organisation relates to the intangible parts of change. The things, emotions, feelings you do not immediately see. Applying the Change Curve and the Transition Circle helps to change the way we think, learn, and grow our mindset. Practice with letting go, how to experiment, fail, learn, and improve.
E. ECO-system
Finally, we take a close look at your ECO-system of which your organisation is part of. Systems Thinking is key to understand the influence of the ecosystem on your business system and vice versa. Explore several ‘adaptive operating’ models tobring you closer to a networking system to facilitate Agility. Link this network with the sustainability goals (SDGs), understand how to introduce new technologies and allow for emerging strategies. Strategies that facilitate people to grow instead of replacing them.
Working with the People Journey Circle C.I.R.C.L.E approach is Agile in itself. With the help of the Twinxter’s Business Agility Scan© you gain insights that give you a clear picture of where you stand. Discover the gaps within your organisation, how to bridge them and what you need to focus on to overcome them.
Join our pilot programme for FREE: We are currently seeking beta testers for our upcoming programme: Shaping your Business ECOsystem, beginning of March. If you’re ready to embark on a people-driven approach to business agility, reply with ECO in the comments or send me a DM for more information.
Thanks for reading this blog and looking forward to your response!
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I hope to meet you soon, AND feel free to add me to your network 😉
Every day is a great day to transform the way you change. Together we achieve more.
Have a great day!
Alize Hofmeester
It’s my purpose to spark the Human X-factor and create purpose driven spaces where everybody is able to grow. How? Put people & purpose at the heart of your organisation and drive your transformation People Led.
Passionated about living by purpose. Entrepreneur and founder of Twinxter and the TwinxterAcademy, Author of Purpose Driven People, creating business agility & sustainable growth, Co-author of Agile People Principles, Transformational Leadership in the fitness and physical activity sector & Emergence, Creator of the People Journey Circle, Keynote Speaker
