As the concept of an Agile mindset in managing projects and developing products continues to grow, more businesses and organizations are keen to hop on the moving train and enhance productivity.
As Agile seeks to transform the methods of development through flexibility, adaptability, and continuous improvement (kaizen), the methodology must also be adaptable enough to improve itself continuously.
While Agile generally uses small self-organizing teams and short iterations to develop projects, using Agile at scale is a whole different game. The Agile methodology also faces the challenge of the role of managers.
The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) seeks to solve these two challenges by introducing Agile at scale for larger projects, and the concept of Lean-Agile Leadership which is the first of the seven core competencies of SAFe.
In this post, we will explore what Lean-Agile Leadership is about, its benefits, and the three dimensions of Lean-Agile leadership.
What is Lean-Agile Leadership?
Lean-Agile leadership is a critical competency that leaders must develop to help their organizations succeed in a fast-paced business environment.
According to the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Lean-Agile leadership involves driving and sustaining organizational change and development by empowering individuals and teams to reach their highest potential.
Lean-Agile leadership combines the principles of Lean and Agile development to create a style that focuses on flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement while minimizing waste and maximizing value.
It’s a leadership style that emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration that enables organizations to adapt quickly to changes in the business environment.
Leaders who develop this competency can help their organizations become more agile and respond quickly to new opportunities and challenges.
What are the Three Dimensions of Lean-Agile Leadership?
The three dimensions of Lean-Agile Leadership are critical components that leaders must develop to help their organizations succeed in today’s fast-paced business environment.
1. Leading by Example
Leading by example is an essential dimension of Lean-Agile Leadership. As a leader, your behavior and actions provide the organization with a path to follow naturally, and it helps you gain authority and credibility within the organization.
This dimension involves modeling the behavior that you want your team to follow. Leaders who lead by example should exhibit the following behaviors:
Customer-Centric
They should prioritize the needs of their customers and work collaboratively with their teams to deliver high-quality products and services.
Collaborative
They should work collaboratively with their teams, encouraging open communication, active listening, and a culture of trust and respect.
Continuously Improving
They should promote a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging their teams to identify and address areas for improvement.
2. Mindset and Principles
Unlike the traditional project management practices that are built on processes and are plan-driven, the core of Agile is an evolution of the mind.
The phrase “Agile mindset” isn’t just a buzzword but is necessary for rapid adaptation and flexibility in the current business environment.
Leading your organization to achieve greater business agility requires a transformation of the collective mindset, and it starts from your own mindset.
You need to imbibe Lean thinking and an Agile mindset and thrive to infuse it into the organization daily to create a mindset reflecting the core values and principles of SAFe, Agile, and Lean.
3. Leading Change
As a leader that wants a lasting change in an organization to a Lean-Agile mindset, it’s important that you take charge and lead the way.
That means creating a space where the new changes can take root, getting everyone ready and excited about what’s to come, and making sure everyone has what they need to make it happen.
This might mean changing the culture of the workplace, or doing whatever else it takes to make the new changes work smoothly.
Ultimately, as a Lean-Agile leader, you need to be the driving force behind the changes, not just supporting them from the sidelines.
Duties of a Lean-Agile Leader
A Lean-Agile leader plays a crucial role in creating a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer-focused innovation.
By setting a clear vision, removing obstacles, providing guidance and support, and fostering a culture of learning and experimentation, a Lean-Agile leader can help their organization achieve its goals and thrive in a rapidly changing business environment.
The duties of a Lean-Agile leader include the following:
Setting the Vision
A Lean-Agile leader is responsible for creating a clear and compelling vision for the organization.
This involves defining the strategic direction of the company and communicating this vision to employees.
By setting a shared vision, a Lean-Agile leader can help align the efforts of everyone in the organization towards a common goal.
Creating a Culture of Collaboration
Collaboration is key to achieving success, and a Lean-Agile leader needs to understand the importance of this.
There needs to be an environment where employees feel comfortable enough to share ideas and work together to solve problems.
Everyone should be able to speak up and be heard, and as a Lean-Agile leader, you need to create an environment that thrives on trust and mutual respect.
Providing Guidance and Support
As a Lean-Agile leader, it’s your duty to provide guidance and support to employees, helping them to develop the skills they need to be successful in their roles.
This may involve mentoring or coaching employees, providing them with training or resources, or simply being available as much as possible to answer questions or offer advice.
Ensuring Continuous Improvement
A Lean-Agile leader promotes a culture of continuous improvement, where employees are encouraged to experiment, learn, and improve their processes.
This means creating an environment where failure is seen as an opportunity to learn and grow, and where everyone is committed to getting better every day.
Aligning the Organization
As a Lean-Agile leader, aligning the organization around a common goal is your responsibility.
This means ensuring that everyone in the organization understands the vision and is working towards the same objectives.
It also involves breaking down silos between different teams or departments and promoting cross-functional collaboration.
Facilitating Communication
Communication is key in fostering an Agile mindset. A Lean-Agile leader facilitates communication between different teams and stakeholders.
This means ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. It also involves promoting open and transparent communication channels, where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and feedback.
Conclusion
For organizations to stay agile and adapt quickly to changes in the modern business environment, Lean-Agile leadership is an approach to leadership that can change the game.
By harnessing the three dimensions of Lean-Agile leadership, leaders and managers can create a culture that syncs with the principles of the Lean and Agile methodologies.
