The Agile Organization

The key to retaining competitive advantage in a volatile business world is agility. The third edition of The Agile Organization shows how to develop capabilities across the organization to adapt.

With helpful checklists, tips and advice, this is a practical blueprint to building both agility and resilience at individual, team and organizational levels. It covers how to design agile organizations as well as how to implement agile models into existing organizations and people practices. There is guidance on how agility can be applied to talent management, flexible working patterns and the importance of mobilizing and energizing employees for change.

This edition contains new material on agile mindsets and enterprise agile planning, alongside how hybrid forms of working can enhance resilience. There is also extended material on how inclusion and wellbeing initiatives can support individual resilience and innovation to improve performance across the organization. Case studies include ING, the University of California, Berkeley, the UK National Health Service (NHS) and SNC-Lavalin's Atkins business. This book is an essential read for HR and OD specialists, senior leaders and managers who want transform their organization and build an agile business.

"This is a timely revision of this insightful book by Linda Holbeche. The book draws on multiple perspectives and case examples to support why and how organizations and individuals should invest in building an agile organization. A strong case is built for how agility, flexibility and resilience are all concepts that need to be given equal focus by organizational leaders; the reflective questions and checklists presented in each chapter clearly support this." Dr Christina Evans, Independent Career Coach and Educator
"With the post-pandemic shocks to our way of life and working, we now face a very uncertain geopolitical world economically, environmentally and to maintain peace. We now have to prepare ourselves for a future we cannot foresee.Agility, resilience and speed have become essential in our lives. Linda's latest book describes and illustrates ways forward for organizations and people to adapt to this ever-changing world. It is a 'must read' for leaders in all walks of life, to work with their people to prepare to change and adapt to this new reality. It defines a new social contract between organizations and its people, including customers. Agility is no longer a buzz word it is a mindset we must all adopt." Roger Leek, Chair, Roffey Park Institute, formerly SVP, Global HR, Fujitsu
"This book clearly and eloquently checks all the boxes required to become change-able organization. It is comprehensive in breadth and useful with checklists on actions to make agility happen." Dave Ulrich, Rensis Likert Professor, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan Partner, the RBL Group
"Highly recommended 'go to' guide on the agile organization and how to navigate the rapidly changing landscape to bring about meaningful transformation. The third edition brings more compelling practical insights and recommended actions to continue to be an invaluable resource for leaders, HR & OD practitioners and all those leading change. Already an essential reference and helpful guide for those in the NHS, this up to date contemporary edition will be greatly valued and relevant across all sectors and organizations. A must buy." Karen Dumain, Leading Do OD, Head of OD Professional Development, NHS England
"Linda very ably manages to demystify what agility means in practical terms through sharing of experiences of organizations who have been on this journey, making a compelling argument for a strong link between agility and resilience as a recipe for success. The practical tips and checklists in the book pave the way for professionals embarking on work in this area." Roshan Israni FCIPD, Deputy CEO, University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA)
"Linda's book provides a lucid guide for business leaders and HR practitioners alike in rapidly changing environments including pandemics, uncertain geopolitical landscapes, AI advancements and shifting worker expectations. Linda shows us how to stay ahead of the curve through organizational agility, achieved by engaged and resilient work cultures, more flexible people processes and innovation. A stimulating read." Mira Bacelj, Director Human Resources, INTERPOL
"Agility has to be at the heart of business thinking in a rapidly changing and uncertain world. This book provides an insightful and comprehensive look at what agility really means, from strategy and leadership, to culture, people, and processes." Peter Cheese, Chief Executive, CIPD

Linda Holbeche is co-director of The Holbeche Partnership, and was previously Director of Research and Policy at the CIPD. She was Director of Leadership and Consultancy at the Work Foundation and of Research and Strategy at Roffey Park and is Visiting Professor at five UK universities. In 2021 she was named as one of the Most Influential HR Thinkers by HR Magazine and is the co-author of Organization Development, also published by Kogan Page. She is based in Sussex, UK.

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