Another Pivot? Five Steps to Ambidextrous Leadership

Slowing economic growth, and in some cases recession, is causing many business executives to pivot yet again to manage challenging times.

When the going gets tough, it’s hard to divert resources away from solving the short-term crisis right in front of us.  In addition, the metrics to hold leaders accountable are very clear in the short term but are less clear for the mid to long term. 

Still, it is critical for innovative leaders to create a strategy that supports the business strategy and creates competitive advantages that can be leveraged for value creation across the board.

Long-term success requires forward-looking investment in technology and capabilities that solve emerging customer challenges. It is also necessary to engage commercial leaders on key principles, partner to support them, and create metrics that help assess the strength of the portfolio ahead.

Ambidextrous leaders must:1) realign performance metrics; 2) hit the innovation sweet spot; 3) integrate to identify solutions; 4) think and live outside; and 5) empower small but focused teams. What’s needed to achieve this is to have: 1) an entrepreneurial mindset; 2) psychological safety; and 3) resilient teaming.

To learn more, read Achieving Ambidextrous Leadership: Driving “Perform & Transform“ Innovation for Step-changed Business Results or watch  Learning to Lead Innovation Part I: Ambidextrous Leadership - Perform Today While Creating the Future and Learning to Lead Innovation Part II: Leading Constructive Disruption - Transforming Innovation for Better Business Solutions.