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Is agile workforce related to IT agile development?
Agile means different things in different circles. Unlike agile IT project management methodology, when we refer to an agile workforce it is not a formal model. Instead, it is about the skillset the workforce brings to the table to ensure the organization has the right people with the right skills in the right place at the right time to get work done. Some aspects to consider include:
- Is the workforce flexible and able to rapidly respond to changing demands?
- Or does the workforce get stuck or slow when things shift too quickly?
- Are employees leaning into innovative ideas on how to do work better or quicker?
- Or do people prefer tried and true ways of working and status quo?
In thinking about an agile workforce, it’s both a state of mind and a skillset that can be deliberately trained to better help people adapt to uncertainty, volatility, complexity, and ambiguity. Some organizations refer to it as learning agility, that is, the ability to take what you’ve learned in other settings and figure out what you know to work through completely new scenarios that do not resemble anything you’ve seen before. Being able to embrace change, go with the flow, adapt, adjust, and pivot, are all things that provide organizations competitive advantage, especially during times of disruption.
Melissa Parinello is an organizational strategist with more than 20 years of experience leading large transformations. Melissa applies her strong practice development, client relationship, and facilitation skills to solve problems, build long-term partnerships, and drive business results.
Connect with Melissa to learn how to develop your agile workforce.
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