Agile-трансформация. Готовый план перехода к гибкой бизнес-модели организации

by Simon Hayward, Саймон Хейворд

Все слышали об Agile-подходе, но мало кому удалось эффективно применить его на практике. То результата нет, то он не устраивает заказчика. Но дьявол — в деталях. Эффективная трансформация бизнеса под силу только истинному Agile-руководителю.
Гибкость лидера подразумевает способность управлять временем, распределять его между работой и личной жизнью, безжалостно расставлять приоритеты, управлять рисками, размышлять не спеша, а действовать быстро. Практическое руководство Саймона Хейворда помогает развить эти умения. Автор книги — доктор наук по бизнес-администрированию и управлению бизнес-школы Манчестерского университета. Он предлагает руководителям и HR-специалистам корпораций готовый план Agile-трансформации бизнеса в режиме "бери и делай".

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership, Business

320 pages, Hardcover

Published August 20, 2021

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of a textbook feel to it. I also did not finish the last chapter because my class ends on Monday and I just don’t find it relevant to finish. Eh this book is okay, it’s definitely easier to read than a conventional text and with the other book assigned it complimented nicely. I wouldn’t recommend it necessarily, but it wasn’t bad overall if you want to learn more about the agile enterprise.

[AnnieM · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I thought I might have read this book before because professionally I work in leadership and organizational development and the title sounded familiar. I also thought that "agile" was going to talk about being "adaptable" as a leader -- and so was not sure if I would learn anything new here. I was wrong -- I took copious notes on things I will start adopting as a leader with my team as well as share with other leaders in my organization. He talks about leaders needing to be enablers and disrupters and references another book he wrote called "The Connected Leader" which I want to pick up next. Each chapter starts with a few questions to do a self-assessment on readiness and mindset and ends with a summary. One of the questions is "Am I ready to change how I lead" - feels like I have a coach with me as I hold the mirror up to myself -- it is critical to have the openness and readiness in order to be willing to make the required behavior changes as a leader. He describes in-depth how to work in an "agile" frame - the approach used often in IT but can be applied to other functions too. He also talks about psychological safety which is critical for organizations as they shift their culture to a more agile and a learning culture. At the end of the book, there is also a team assessment that also is helpful to see if we are making the necessary shifts. I highly recommend this book to all leaders at all levels of an organization - whether you lead a project team, a small team or a large team.

[Ovidiu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall a good book, but I do not understand its extensive length, the author must have had a contract based on the number of pages - what I mean is that all this could have been said in 50 pages at most, the author repeated himself a lot, discussing the same topics in several chapters, over and over again. I usually have an aversion towards greedy writers that like to ramble over far too many pages, as they keep us readers occupied with their books and there are so many other interesting pieces that are waiting to be read.

Also in the last chapter I have felt a drop in quality, everything felt so rushed, as if the author realized that he's getting closer to the 200 pages limit with still many things left to be said and he just threw everything in, without much cohesion between the paragraphs. I must complain about some of the case studies as well, because sometimes after I had finished reading them, I had to ask myself 'OK, and how does this example relate to what I have just read in this chapter?'.

However I must admit that I have picked up a few good ideas from the book, so I do not regret reading it.

[Arun Kumar Manoharan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has a clear purpose. Answers

Why do we need agility? How does one become agile? How do you make businesses agile? What is the process of transforming a business? What does agility mean?

It is questions that drive us. You can find the answers to these questions and even more as you read the book. The environment is changing fast, and there is an increasing need for businesses and leaders to be agile to evolve along the process.

What I like about the book is that in every chapter Dr Simon gives a heads up of possible questions to have in mind. The chapter has the argument written by Dr Simon and case studies to back up the theories to prove that it is a practically viable concept. It is an easy-to-read-book and is meant for everyone.

A recommended read for those who would like to understand agility and how businesses are striving in the current work setting.

[Steven De Landtsheer · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you never have heard about 'agile' and what all the fuzz is about, this might be a good introduction read for you. The author does bring together all the 'agile currents' which are flowing through organisations and the internet in this day and age.
If you are past that stage and are looking for a good perspective on 'How to create an agile business in the digital age' then I am left a bit disappointed by this book. The book is well written and taps in to most of the interesting new ways of thinking about running business in this new world. To me it is stuck however in a lot of 'marketing' speak, singing the praise of all the recent hype without a shred of critical thinking and some personal viewpoint of the author on what is problematic and needs further thinking.
Disappointing to me.

[Alan Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that I was sceptical when I started this book, but was pleased that I made the effort. I attended one of Simon’s presentations where discuss his approach with a panel of ‘agile leaders’. I came away thinking that the examples of agile working and leadership sounded like good business practice in a fast moving world.

However, like most of these types of books that I have read, there a number of very good ‘take aways’ in this book. It describes the agile history and background very well and relates well to the software industry, where it all started. So, it is well worth a read - you will definitely get something out of it that you apply in your everyday business life.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Agile is looking more and more like a cult. I'm sure there is somewhere somebody working on how to sleep better with Agile, how to lose weight with Agile, how to get your blood pressure down with Agile.

I particularly liked this volume, and how the clown author has packed it with buzz words. So this is for creating an Agile business in the digital age. Finally, someone steps forward to bring the Agile methods back from the days of managing Windmills, this guy is the one that takes the ancient Agile methods of sheep herding and he is going to help all the suckers bring their taco stands into the Digital Age, if they are willing to pay for the speaking engagement.

[Ellisse · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some good ideas and concepts relating to agile leadership and the skills required for the future in this space, but some of the case studies included left me with a bit of a “so what”. I think the book could have benefitted from some “anti case studies” of where the principles and concepts identified weren’t taken onboard but the organisation plowed on anyway. The last chapter also felt incredibly rushed and like a combination of words. I think that chapter 9 would have made a stronger end to the book as that was a great closing case.

[Fran Cormack · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, especially for those leaders either not familiar with agile ways of working, or, part way though a digital transformation.

Whilst the book is about the agile leader it is very scrum focused. One thing experience has taught me is that everything is contextual. To this end, scrum may not be the best framework to use.

That said, there is much in this book that leaders can learn from.

[Vu Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

To much story

[Vincent Pang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read book with Agile principles being put to practical actions. Lots of references.

[Christian Valverde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liderazgo ágil

Me pareció un muy buen libro, enfocado en cómo llevar a la práctica el liderazgo ágil con la base de los principios y valores de este framework.

[Heath Henwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Agile Leader

By Simon Hayward

3 stars

Broken into three parts.

Firstly, defines an Agile leader - one who is connected and responds to opportunities in a digital age.

Secondly how this looks in business.

Lastly developing an agile organisation

Examples are provided including the change in transportation resulting from Uber, Airbnb,

Five characteristics of the Agile - Balance, Strength, Speed, Coordination, and Endurance.

Opinion - While the book has a researched basis, the key messages could be written simpler and on facts sheets, rather than a full book.

While the concepts are worth considering, the change required for someone to become an agile leader will not occur from reading this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing a review copy in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

#TheAgileLeader #NetGalley

Reviewed by Heath Henwood
www.books-reviewed.weebly.com