The Intelligent Leader

CHAPTER 8 Course Correction

“Agility” has become a buzzword in both business and leadership circles these days. There are countless articles, podcasts, and blogs about how to become more agile, as a person or as an organization. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t hear “agility” mentioned as one of the top goals held by the executives and companies I work with. In fact, it’s one of the most common qualities that people ask me to help them cultivate.

All this agility buzz makes sense, because change is constant—in business and otherwise. Life is speeding up, and so are most industry sectors. Change is occurring so fast that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to make even short-term forecasts, and long-term business planning is becoming, for some, an exercise in futility. Those individuals and organizations thriving in this new world are those who are able to evolve, innovate, and change course. Agility isn’t just a sexy concept; it’s now a necessity.

One of the most rewarding interviews I did for my last book, Cultural Transformations, was with Cathy Benko, the vice chairman and managing principal of Deloitte Consulting LLP. Under Cathy’s tutelage, Deloitte Consulting has gone from dead last to the top of their industry, much of which has been due to her willingness to constantly innovate their business model to adapt to the changing industry landscape. Cathy has an interesting ...