5 Characteristics of an Agility-Ready Team

Craig Ross

5 Characteristics of an Agility-Ready Team

CEOs are well aware of the ever-changing and often unpredictable world of business. Because of this, organizations and leaders need to adapt quickly. The most successful organizations not only acclimate to change; they are also nimble enough to identify and leverage new opportunities that come with an evolving business landscape.

While it may be a priority to have an agile team, cultivating this in organizational culture will take more work than simply announcing, “We must become more agile!” Agility is a skill that must be intentionally developed and strengthened.

Here are characteristics of an agility-ready team:

1.  They are confident and take initiative

Members of agile teams have the courage to take action not only in response to changes, but in anticipation of them.

2. They have a healthy culture

By promoting team members to have strong partnerships with each other, and working to align mindsets and behaviors with team values, the organization will become greater than the sum of its employees.

3. Full, free, two-way information flow

This element goes beyond simply “communicating” with one another. Agile teams function similarly to the five senses of the human body. They are in unison, resulting in speed and efficiency.

4. Clear, achievable, stretch objectives and execution plan

These teams are aligning on what constitutes success, where boundaries exist and how they can deliver excellence. While conditions may change, they are unwavering in what must be achieved and how to go about delivering results.

5. A healthy team identity

How we see ourselves and who we believe we are is a powerful lens used to observe the world around us. By having a clear group identity, teams are better equipped to respond to issues that arise. The paradigm of “together we can” is essential.

Now it’s time to evaluate your organization’s agility level and what areas can be strengthened. For more information on creating stronger teams, check out the book One Team.