I like the analogy of leaders and leadership with the sea and the captain of a ship. 

For example, picture this: You're a ship’s captain in the vast ocean. Occasionally, the waters are calm and lull (how to cope with boredom in a team is another story and worth another blog post). 

But more often than not, the sea is unpredictable; the weather changes in the blink of an eye. And your crew has needs, expectations, and requirements. Not to mention their unique strengths and weaknesses. 

Charting the course: the old map

So, there is this captain who leads with a tattered, old map. This captain sees the crew members merely as hands to operate the ship, each following specific instructions without question. "Do as I say," they'd bellow, believing only they’d hold the knowledge necessary to navigate.

Decisions? They come from the captain's quarters behind closed doors. The vision and strategy for the journey is theirs alone, charted out years ago, regardless of the changing seas. The crew's job is to maintain the ship just as it has always been, without deviation.

The captain would stand atop their quarterdeck, spyglass in hand, monitoring every move of the crew, quick to point out a misstep. Critical feedback is given with pressure, not support, reinforcing the hierarchy: the captain above, the crew below.

This captain sails for treasure alone, profits over the purpose of the journey itself. When mistakes are made, the blame will thunder down like a storm; the plan is to be followed: come hell or high water.

Will they successfully lead their crew through rough seas and uncharted territories? Will they be able to inspire their crew members to follow the journey filled with challenges, navigating through the fog of uncertainty? I’m getting melodramatic here. But let’s face it: That's the world today: volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. 

Volatility is all about those sudden, out-of-the-blue changes that just throw your plans out the window. One moment, everything may seem under control, but the next, you find yourself scrambling to make sense of sudden changes.

Then there's Uncertainty. It’s like when you're waiting for that "big announcement" at work, and the rumors are flying, but nobody knows what's going to happen. It's all maybes and what-ifs.

Complexity? That’s when you’ve got a million and one things to juggle. Your inbox is exploding, your to-do list is a mile long, and everything seems to be happening all at once. It’s like every decision is a puzzle within a puzzle.

And Ambiguity. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the information you have is incomplete, making it difficult to understand what's going on? 

In a VUCA world, it's all about staying on your toes and being ready to pivot. It's about embracing the chaos, making peace with not having all the answers, and finding creative ways to move forward. So, instead of getting bogged down, you learn to dance with it—get in the groove of learning, adapting, and innovating. That's how you turn VUCA from a challenge into your playground. In such a world, the old maps don't quite work, and you've got to be ready to adapt on the fly.

Setting sail with Agile Leadership

So, in contrast, let’s meet another captain who navigates with a compass pointing to an agile mindset. This captain sees the crew not as mere resources but as fellow navigators, each with the knowledge to contribute.

"Let's chart this course together," they encourage, promoting self-organization. The crew huddles, sharing insights and making decisions collectively because the sea is changing, and two (or twenty) heads are better than one.

The vision for the journey? It’s crafted with every voice aboard, evolving as new shores are sighted. The ship under this captain is alive with change and growth; every sailor knows they are part of something more significant.

Guidance replaces monitoring as this captain walks among the crew, offering advice like a steady breeze. They create a space where everyone can grow, where every role is vital, and hierarchy is as fluid as the waves.

Being an agile leader means being open, ready to learn from the sea and your crew, and having the self-awareness to know when to steer the ship and when to let others take the helm. It's about being aware of your surroundings and having a solution-oriented and growth mindset. 

Agile Leadership isn't just about giving orders; it's about being as agile and adaptable as the sea requires. It's about creating a ship where every sailor feels safe to speak up, where the hierarchy is more like a web than a ladder—everyone is connected, and everyone has a part to play.

The agile leader's compass

Remember, you're not just steering a ship but nurturing a culture. A culture that values purpose over profit, that encourages trying new routes, even if it means sometimes sailing into the unknown. It's about serving your crew, not just commanding them. Btw., profit comes by itself if you have an inspired team)

So, as you set sail on your managerial voyage, my fellow captains, keep your compass set to Agile Leadership. It might not be the easiest route, but it's the one that leads to uncharted successes and adventures. It's about creating a ship that's more than just a workplace—it's a place where every sailor is an explorer, every wave a lesson, and every horizon a new opportunity.