Fostering Flexible Mindsets

In the military, we had a saying: Semper Gumby— “always flexible”. It wasn’t just an inside joke; it was a mindset. Leading a division of sailors through unpredictable situations taught me that adaptability isn’t optional—it’s essential. In today’s volatile business environment, the same holds true. High-performing teams thrive not just on clear goals but on the ability to pivot when circumstances change. This is where “Commander’s Intent” comes into play—a concept I discussed in my blog post: Adaptability in the Field. By clearly defining the end goal, teams are empowered to adapt their strategies while staying aligned with the mission. As leaders, our role is to cultivate this adaptability: • Model flexibility in the face of change. • Communicate clear objectives, not detailed plans. • Empower teams to make decisions aligned with the overarching goal. Building high-performing teams isn’t about rigid structures; it’s about fostering a culture where adaptability is ingrained. How do you build flexibility into your team culture without losing focus? #CareerMoment #Leadership #TeamBuilding #Adaptability https://lnkd.in/ePFGc3Um

A CLEAR VISION DOESN’T ALWAYS HAVE A CLEAR PATH The question is… Can you be okay with that? Almost every one of us have gotten to the point where we just want to be told what to do. You’re exasperated. You know what you want, but you don’t know how to get there. You’ve tried it on your own long enough to no avail & now you just want to arrive at the destination. “Just tell me what to do & I’ll do it” Right? But let’s face it. The road to greatness is rarely a straight line. It’s a continuum between clarity & chaos that we all find ourselves on at some point. It's filled with unexpected twists, turns, & detours that can leave even the most determined leaders feeling uncertain. As a single mother of 3 recreating my life & as an entrepreneur starting from scratch, I’ve often had to navigate the unknown. Fortunately, I’ve been able to find my way with the right mindset & by developing a stellar skillset. And the good news is, you can as well. So, how do you thrive when the path ahead is anything but clear? And how do you turn ambiguity into your greatest ally? Here’s my roadmap for embracing the unknown & conquering your journey with unshakeable confidence: 🎯 SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE: See uncertainty as an adventure. Picture yourself as an explorer. Each step uncovers new strengths, hidden possibilities, & innovation beyond your dreams. 🎯 HARNESS FLEXIBILITY: Flexibility is your superpower. Stay agile & open to change. Adapt tactics to the ever-changing landscape. Pivoting keeps you ahead & ready for any challenge. 🎯 BUILD A RESILIENT MIND: View setbacks as setups for comebacks. Resilience is bouncing forward. Embrace mistakes as learning experiences, fueling determination for greater heights. 🎯LEVERAGE YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM: No hero's journey is complete without a trusted team. Surround yourself with colleagues & coaches who believe in your vision. Their wisdom, encouragement, & diverse perspectives will be your guiding lights through the fog of uncertainty. 🎯PRACTICE RADICAL SELF BELIEF: Believe in your ability to figure things out. Cultivate an unshakeable belief in your mindset & skillset. Remind yourself daily that you have the skills, experience, & resilience to navigate any terrain. 🎯 CELEBRATE ALL PROGRESS: Don’t wait for the finish line. Celebrate every milestone. These victories fuel your passion & keep your momentum soaring. 🎯 STAY ANCHORED IN YOUR VISION: Your vision is your North Star. Revisit it regularly for inspiration & motivation. Let it propel you forward every day. A clear vision doesn’t always need a clear path, it needs a courageous leader willing to embrace the adventure. Your journey is unique, filled with limitless potential & extraordinary possibilities. So jump in & make magic happen! ~Are you ready? #motivation #business #personaldevelopment READY FOR STRATEGIES TO TRANSFORM YOUR VISION INTO REALITY? LET’S TALK. DM me today for more.

🙂 🙂 Mindset change is the linchpin of meaningful transformation—yet one of the hardest challenges to tackle. 😒 🤣 How do we achieve agile mastery? How do we deepen learning? These questions are crucial because they address the foundational shifts needed for meaningful transformation. Changing a "mindset" involves reshaping deeply ingrained habits. Joe Krebs explores these questions in his newly published book, "Agile Kata: Patterns and Practices for Transformative Organizational Agility." The book stands out for its practical insights and emphasis on cultivating a mindset shift essential for sustainable agility. In my decades agile work, I've encountered countless frameworks and methodologies focused on processes and practices. Fewer have addressed organizational change, and even fewer have delved into the deeper challenge of mindset change. The concept of Kata, rooted in martial arts, offers a structured yet flexible approach to mastering new skills and fostering continuous improvement. Joe frames Kata as a "pattern" — not just a practice or model — for navigating complexity and uncertainty. This distinction is impactful because patterns are less rigid than processes, allowing for flexibility in application, and they address recurring challenges with proven approaches. Patterns enable organizations to build confidence and adaptability through deliberate repetition. This approach directly addresses the challenge of mindset change. What stands out is the practical application of scientific thinking through the Improvement Kata and Coaching Kata. These simple, repeatable patterns help teams experiment, learn, and adapt through deliberate practice. As Joe notes, "We learn deeper in the process of doing. Not before." I was particularly struck by the chapter on habits and the neurological pathways that govern our default modes. The "Dutch Reach" analogy effectively illustrates the difficulty—and necessity—of breaking ingrained habits. It refers to the practice of using the far hand to open a car door, forcing the person to turn their body and check their blind spot. This small habitual change, widely practiced in the Netherlands, helps prevent accidents with cyclists and highlights how deliberate practice can reshape behavior. Similarly, Joe's focus on fostering a Kata mindset—a culture of experimentation and adaptability—provides a practical approach to overcoming rigid, outdated methods. Whether you're an experienced leader or new to agile, Agile Kata invites us to rethink transformation as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time effort. If you're ready to foster a culture of experimentation and adaptability, embodying the philosophy of the Reimagining Agile Initiative, this book offers a practical roadmap to get you there. Heidi Musser Jon Kern 🔑 Sanjiv Augustine 🎯 #agile #mindset #leadership #digitaltransformation

Hey leaders! Stop trying to control every aspect of change. I get it, it's a natural instinct to want to dictate the course of your business; and detailed plans, risk assessments, and contingency plans are essential tools. But rigid control might be your biggest obstacle to success. In my experience working with organizations navigating significant transformation, those that thrive aren’t the ones that stick firmly to a plan—they’re the ones that recognize when to adjust, when to innovate, and when to let go of what no longer serves them. It’s about having a clear vision of where you want to go AND allowing the journey to be flexible. This is where true leadership lies: in the balance between knowing where you want to lead and being open to the diverse ways you might get there. Flexibility, not force, is the new competitive advantage. By embracing change and flexibility, you can position your organization to capitalize on new opportunities and adapt to challenges with greater speed and agility. So, the next time you find yourself trying to control every aspect of a change initiative, take a step back and ask yourself: Am I holding onto a plan that no longer aligns with reality? Am I giving my teams the space they need to adapt and succeed? #Leadership #ChangeManagement #Agility #BusinessGrowth #Strategy #Flexibility #GrowthMindset