Do you drive leadership through ambidexterity?
Get the flexibility to take initiatives, innovate at all levels and at the same time thrive at what you are already good at. Sounds too good to be true? Bruce Harreld, Faculty Chair at Harvard is all for that way of operating. He will tell you why in this really short video:
Simply put it’s not enough to look at what you are already good at and ignore potential new areas. Ambidextrous individuals hence drive leadership and take initiatives beyond the confines of their job.
When companies are ambidextrous they are able to adapt to new opportunities and at the same time have alignment around their existing activities. And, this is crucial, they allow leadership to emerge from all levels in the organisation.
Common sense – but frequently ignored
The economic crisis has had a positive impact on ambidexterity. More companies, and people, understand that they have to think outside the box. Just throwing resources at problems is being replaced by a leaner more staged way of problem solving. Lack of resources actually increase creativity and people become more innovative. Provided they are allow to.
Ambidextrous people drive new initiatives
Some scholars as well as practitioners argue that many established companies simply lack the flexibility to explore new territories. And that’s where having ambidexterity come in.
Have never understood why, but companies, and people for that matter, get so stuck in their ways they don’t see the wood for the trees. Thinking outside the box is essential and it’s interesting to note that a top university like Harvard feel there is a need to give courses in how to do so. If you are an innovative person that will not be necessary, but there is obviously a demand from people who need to broaden their horizons. Harvard’s target group for the course may actually be leaders that cannot delegate? Having spent too long in a hierarchical system such leaders probably find it hard to accept leadership driven from all levels in the organisation?
Are you ambidextrous? Do you agree with Bruce Herrald, and me, that it’s propitious to have ambidextrous strategies? Is ambidexterity the way you and your organisation develop? Have you found that lack of resources makes you more creative? Does it give you flexibility and make you look into new areas you would otherwise have overlooked? Are ambidextrous people and organisations smarter? If you haven’t already, are you building an ambidextrous organisation that allows for initiatives, stimulate individuals to stretch themselves and drive leadership? Or maybe you are turning yourself into an ambidextrous person by driving new initiatives as well as your existing activities? Do you agree that in an increasingly global market ambidexterity is the way forward?
Video: HBSExecEd – YouTube
About Catarina AlexonNär Europa och USA brottas med ekonomiska problem kanske det är dags att fundera på nya marknader? Eller en omprioritering?
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Tags: ambidexterity, ambidextrous, Bruce Harreld, flexibility, Harvard, initiatives, innovation, leadership at all levels
August 19th, 2012 at 12:52
Good thought provoking post. Bruce Harreld is completely right that doing what the business is good at and strategic planning for a shift in product or approach, are two different things. Basically it's essential for any business to be open to change. Without change the business will collapse. Apple is a perfect example of this – without the change they made moving into the ipod,iphone etc, was a dynamic shift from what they'd been doing, and that has gone on to put them in areas they've never been in before. Ambidexterity is a new term in relation to business for me – but I completely agree it's essential.
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August 19th, 2012 at 13:09
Glad we agree on the importance of ambidexterity, AK.
August 19th, 2012 at 15:00
Great post! I have never heard of this term used in this way, but the concept is a crucial one. Too many businesses go out of business because they held on too tightly to their way of doing business instead of thinking outside the box to move forward with the times. Do what you do best and then think of how you can do it better or differently to stay relevant in today's society. I also think this brings to light another thing many large businesses historically have not been very good at, listening to ideas from those within their organizations who may not be senior level but have great ideas. I am glad to hear that Harvard is on the forefront of offering courses to help people learn these concepts. It may be obvious to some of us, but to others not so much. Great post!
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August 19th, 2012 at 16:01
Talk about spot on for where I am RIGHT now. Getting ready to launch a third business on less than a shoestring budget means my 5 partners and I have HAD to get creative. I'm actually amazed at the things we've been able to do by pooling our talents and challenging ourselves.
What's interesting in the timing of your post for me, is that it's going to boost my and my partners enthusiasm all the more because we ARE being ambidextrous and there are 6 of us behaving just that way.
Thanks for a most INSPIRING post Catarina.
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August 19th, 2012 at 17:13
Fantastic Pat!! So glad the timing was perfect for you! Being ambidextrous will get you a long way, and it sure increases creativity. And you didn't even have to take a course at Harvard to learn how to be innovative and flexible.
August 19th, 2012 at 17:16
Thanks Cheryl! Doesn't surprise me that we agree:-) Good points you are making and I, especially, agree with "glad to hear that Harvard is on the forefront of offering courses to help people learn these concepts. It may be obvious to some of us, but to others not so much".
August 19th, 2012 at 21:57
Catarina – excellent post and video. When I returned to my core competency of writing when I needed more flexibility in my life a few years ago, I didn't realize that I would be he beginning of a new chapter in my life. I learned how to blog and I've often told people after that course I walked through the social media door and never looked back on how I did things before. It was unintentional. But by leaving myself open to new possibilities I re-branded myself. I did invest in some courses, but didn't throw a lot of resources at my new direction. It really happened organically. I knew social media was the future. I just had to latch on to it!
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August 20th, 2012 at 02:11
I was fascinated that Harvard felt there was a need to train/teach that skill set. It's telling that some or many have become so entrenched in a way of doing business that they have forgotten to be ambidexterious. That would also mean that fear of being criticized for failing has hardened in to inflexiblity in business thought… how sad.
As far as what I am doing? You could say I am all about ambidexterious. That is born out of the fact that I am the executive, assistant, sales manager, sales person. janitor and everything else in between. I am a company of one with the need to be fleible in every way. It's so important that I think out of the box, everyday, because I am doing what many would say is out of the box as business in so many ways. BIG LOL
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August 20th, 2012 at 10:20
Great example of ambidexterity, Jeannette. Glad to note you are ambidextrous.
August 20th, 2012 at 10:22
Another great example of ambidexterity, Susan. Doesn't surprise me. It's interesting that there is a need for such a course isn't it. You are right about fear playing a part.
August 20th, 2012 at 11:11
Ambindexterity is not a term I've come across in this context, but it's a good one. There's no question that the ability to both manage the current (successful) environment and simultaneously be able to adapt to change and take advantage of new opportunities is key to business survival – just look at how few of the Fortune 500 companies of a century ago still exist.
Today, with the ever-increasing pace of change, even a big company's lifespan may notbe measured in decades, but (a few) years unless it continues to adapt and innovate to take full advantage of change. Ambidexterity is key.
August 20th, 2012 at 11:52
Glad you agree with me about the importance of ambidexterity, Guy. Your point about how few of the Fortune 500 companies of a century ago that still exist is excellent.
August 21st, 2012 at 00:23
It makes a lot of sense to be open to new ideas while continuing with established business practices that work, whether one calls that ambidexterity or something else. I'm wondering how easily this can be taught. Years ago I took a course at Harvard Business School … it wasn't exactly the most useful course of my career. But maybe he has a way of teaching that will help others move forward.
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August 21st, 2012 at 09:56
Glad you agree with me Leora. Not sure if you can make someone be truly ambrodextrious by attending a course. But at least you can make them understand that they have to broaden their horizons. Making them share power though is another story:-)
August 21st, 2012 at 16:39
Great post and it's good in theory and when job seeking years ago, the interviewer looked for out of the box thinking until they gave you the job, then it was squashed with 'follow the companies plan or we like to stick to the way 'we' do it' then you scratch your head wondering what happened to the out of box thinking even though it's essential in order for a company to grow.
August 21st, 2012 at 16:54
Ambidextrous is another way of saying creativity. I don't believe this is taught but it would be allowed to happen – and everyone can do it. I would hire people who are known to be creative – artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, writers, etc. and then provide the environment for creativity to work. An analogy is that you fill the room with the propane tanks, and wait for the "random" spark to ignite the idea.
August 21st, 2012 at 17:29
Joe, that's stretching it – but fair enough. It is however being taught at Harvard. Not sure I agree with you that all people can be ambidextrous. A lot of people all around the world are stuck in their ways and don't see the wood for the trees.
August 21st, 2012 at 17:32
Love your comment Claire!! From what I understand there are an abundance of such companies in the world. Luckily I have managed to avoid them.
August 21st, 2012 at 23:48
Agree with you Catarina. Once question I have always asked whether working for other companies or myself – Is there a better way? It wasn't always welcomed but it did lead to some companies looking at things differently. One problem is people and leaders can get stuck in their comfort zone and have some level of fear if they move out of it.
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August 22nd, 2012 at 10:25
Glad, and not surprised, we agree Susan.
August 22nd, 2012 at 15:01
Catarina,_Isn't it Michael Tushman's idea? exploitation and exploration?
August 22nd, 2012 at 17:07
Not sure about the details Ari.
As far as I'm concerned it's common sense. Have lived and worked like that all my life. But there must be a need for people to start thinking outside the box. If there wasn't Harvard would not be giving a course in it.
August 24th, 2012 at 17:39
Great post! I think it's essential that companies and individuals continually re-evaluate how they are doing things to see if it can be done faster, better, smarter. Embracing new technology can help!
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August 25th, 2012 at 04:17
Another term to understand in business. I am not sure, I am a business person yet. When some one is a small business owner, they may have to step in so many different roles. Will that an example to ambidexterity?
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August 25th, 2012 at 11:01
Yes it could be Bindhurani.
August 25th, 2012 at 11:02
Glad you like it, Charlotte.
August 25th, 2012 at 13:28
I so agree that the way forward is to think out of the box. Core specialisation is important, but in these changing times, sometimes, your core specialisation can lose value, as your company no longer finds buyers for these skills. Thus, innovation on a personal level is very crucial. This is a very interesting post.
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August 25th, 2012 at 13:45
Glad you agree with me, and Harvard actually, Lubna.
September 1st, 2012 at 16:16
I could pretty much say that I'm an ambidextrous person. For the most part, I've been focusing on my writing skills because it has served me well as my bread and butter. I only discovered that I could actually make money out of this after having gone through a spine surgery nearly eight years ago, which didn't make me fit enough to go back to work in my previous career. It was when I was practically broke and at my wit's end that I decided to give this a try. Since then, I've always kept an eye out on learning new skills that can complement what I am doing now. That way, I'm able to offer more to my clients and more opportunities can open.
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September 1st, 2012 at 17:39
Good example on what can make us become ambidextrous, Adeline.