Agile And Adaptable: Read the Moment, Do Both
By Andrea D. Carter | Belonging First Methodology™
In times of change, leaders often ask me: “Should I be moving faster, or should I be slowing down to listen?”
The answer? Both.
My published research shows that leaders who build the muscle to read the moment—and decide when to be agile, when to be adaptable, and when to blend both—outperform those who rely on just one style.
The Difference Between Agility and Adaptability
Agility is speed. It’s making decisions quickly, mobilizing fast, and creating momentum when conditions shift.
Adaptability is flexibility. It’s adjusting your approach, shifting your message, and absorbing new information without losing balance.
Agility without adaptability leads to rushed decisions and burnout.
Adaptability without agility leads to indecision and stagnation. Smart leadership requires both.
Situations That Demand Agility, Adaptability, or Both
A Quick Self-Check
Ask yourself in real time:
Do we need to move faster? Or differently?
That one question can shift your leadership from reactive to responsive.
Try This Instead of an Assessment
You don’t need a full quiz to start practicing balance. Try this:
Notice your bias. Do you tend to jump to decisions (agile bias) or linger in reflection (adaptability bias)?
Switch gears. In your next meeting, practice the opposite behavior:
Agile bias → pause and ask: “What am I missing?”
Adaptability bias → commit: “Let’s test this by Friday.”
Reflect. Did switching styles change the team’s energy, clarity, or sense of belonging?
The Belonging Lens
Comfort: People feel grounded when leaders are clear about when to speed up and when to slow down.
Connection: Adaptability builds relational trust by showing you care about how people receive the change.
Contribution: Agility opens space for rapid action and co-creation.
Psychological Safety: Blending both styles normalizes learning in motion.
Wellbeing: A balanced pace prevents burnout and paralysis.
Downloadable Worksheet
“Agility & Adaptability Phrasebook”
Inside, you’ll find:
Agile phrases to spark momentum.
Adaptable phrases to show flexibility.
Blend phrases that do both.
A reflection prompt: Which language do I default to—and what happens when I try the opposite?
The best leaders don’t choose between being agile or adaptable. They learn to read the moment—and do both.
This content is from Andrea’s Leading Through Change Workshop.
Want Andrea to take your People Leaders Through This Content? Book Her Here.
Read Andrea’s Published Research Here