What can organizations learn from the military when it comes to developing talent in an agile organization? Plenty, says Brigadier General (Ret.) Bernard Banks, Ph.D.
Banks, who is the Associate Dean for Leadership Development at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and Faculty at the Thayer Leader Development Group, shared some of his insights into agile organizations—especially the military—with Chief Executive. Banks will be speaking on the subject at the annual CEO Talent Summit, held this year on Sept. 24-25, 2019 in West Point N.Y. Below are excerpts from this conversation.
Agile organizations consists of networks of teams. The networks are leveraged to foster rapid learning and decision making. Agile organizations also create shared understanding and craft a common purpose. Finally, they gather new information and allow the teams closest to the data to make decisions on how to proceed. Quite simply, agile companies combine speed and adaptive capacity with stability and efficiency.
First, leaders must clearly convey the intent behind all initiatives. Second, it is important to understand all organizational collectives do not function as true teams. Teams must be developed. They require a common purpose, shared understanding of the desirable outcomes and situational influences, and a cogent awareness of the steps that each member must take to achieve a performance outcome. If the aforementioned conditions are achieved, teams can respond rapidly in critical situations. Third, integrating teams is hard work. Companies must become a team of teams. Cross-communication, collaboration, trust, empowerment, and mutual accountability are critical to doing so.
There are a variety of issue organizations face when developing their talent. Recent research by McKinsey highlighted four reasons why company leader development efforts fail to achieve their desired aims. First, they fail to take context into account. Second, many organizations decouple reflection from real work. Third, companies routinely underestimate entrenched mindsets. Finally, many organizations fail to measure results.
I am looking forward to engaging the participants in how enhancing their understanding of leader development science can make their efforts to grow the next cadre of leaders more effective. Additionally, I am excited about the opportunity to highlight the indispensable role leadership plays in organizations’ ability to navigate dynamic environments.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
