The Age of Agility

The Age of Agility: Building Learning Agile Leaders and Organizations focuses on learning agility, one of the most important trends in the business world during the past decade. Surveys have found that learning agility is the most frequently used criterion to measure leadership potential. Yet despite this popularity there is a need to more systematically examine the construct. This volume brings together more than 50 authors with backgrounds in both academic research and talent management practice to address crucial questions such as: What specifically is learning agility? How many facets or dimensions does it have? How do we measure it? And how can it be developed in leaders and organizations? This book enhances our knowledge of learning agility, distilling and synthesizing scientific evidence with best practices and examining the construct through both practical and scientific lenses.

Veronica Schmidt Harvey, Principal, Schmidt Consulting, LLC, Kenneth P. De Meuse, Founder and President, De Meuse Leadership Group, LLC Veronica Schmidt Harvey, PhD., is founder and principal of Schmidt Harvey Consulting and supports organizations in building strong, healthy leadership pipelines. Previously she was a partner at Aon Hewitt and has supported over a hundred organizations in accelerating the development of capabilities that allow leaders to not only survive, but thrive. Kenneth P. De Meuse, Ph.D., is founder and president of the De Meuse Leadership Group LLC, a global network of more than 250 coaches certified on the TALENTx7® Assessment. Prior to establishing his firm, he had senior leadership positions at Tercon Consulting and Korn Ferry International as well as was on the faculties of Iowa State University and the University of Wisconsin.

Foreword Dave Ulrich
Backword Glance by the Founders of Learning Agility Michael M. Lombardo Robert W. Eichinger
SECTION I: FOUNDATIONS OF LEARNING AGILITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO LEADERSHIP 1. Learning Agility: The DNA for Leaders and Organizations in the 21st Century Kenneth P. De Meuse Veronica Schmidt Harvey
2. Learning Agility and the Changing Nature of Leadership: Implications for Theory, Research and Practice Guangrong Dai Kenneth P. De Meuse
3. The Role of Learning Agility in Identifying and Developing Future Leaders Allan H. Church
4. Measures of Learning Agility Christine E. Boyce Anthony S. Boyce
5. The Neuroscience of Learning Agility Kim E. Ruyle
Section II: Strategies and Habits that Develop Learning Agility 6. Developing Learning Agile Behavior: A Model and Overview Veronica Schmidt Harvey Raphael Y. Prager
7. Cultivating Learning Agility through Mindfulness Training: A Framework and Recommendations R. Andrew Lee
8. Stepping to the Edge of One's Comfort Zone Cynthia D. McCauley Paul R. Yost
9. Seek and Ye Shall Learn: Exploring the Multiple Links of Learning Agility and Feedback-Seeking Seymour Adler Rachel Neiman
10. Reflection: Behavioral Strategies to Structure and Accelerate Learning from Experience Frederik Anseel Madeline Ong
11. Being In Learning Mode: A Core Developmental Process For Learning Agility Peter A. Heslin Leigh B. Mellish
12. Learning Agility, Resilience, and Successful Derailment Paul R. Yost CodieAnn DeHaas Mackenzie Allison
SECTION III: ORGANIZATIONAL PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT AND ENHANCE LEARNING AGILITY 13. The DNA of VUCA: A Framework for Building Learning Agility in an Accelerating World David B. Peterson
14. Becoming a Learning Agile Organization Kim E. Ruyle Kenneth P. De Meuse Charles W. Hughley
15. Building Learning Agility Through Psychological Safety Lorraine Stomski Kelly Jensen
16. Developing Learning Agile Leaders: What We Can Learn from the Top Companies for Leaders Jessie Leisten Jim Donohue
17. Sensemaking in a VUCA World: Applying Vertical Development to Enhance Learning Agility Laura Heaton
18. Learning Agility and Whole Leader Development Robert B. McKenna Emily Minaker
SECTION IV: LESSONS AND APPLICATIONS 19. What We Know, What We Need to Know and Where Do We Go From Here? Veronica Schmidt Harvey Kenneth P. De Meuse
20. Case Studies
Case Authors
A. Ultimate Software: Nurturing a Growth Mindset in Our Leadership Pipeline Tanya Castiglione Andrews Julie Maloney
B. P&G: Fostering Learning Agility in the Next Generation of Leaders Silke McCance Ann E. Schulte Brian J. Ruggeberg Joshua D. Bush Sharon A. Stratton
C. Using the TALENTx7 to Identify Potential School and System Leaders Lianne Sipsma Yolanda de Beer
D. IBM: Incorporating Learning Agility into Front-Line Manager Selection Alison M. Hartmann
E. J.M. Huber: Using Learning Agility for Succession Planning and Leadership Development Marilyn Buckner
F. Developing Learning Agility: Through the Lens of a Leader Sarah E. Thomas Veronica Schmidt Harvey
G. Fosun International Limited: Learning on the March to Adapt to Rapid Growth Jack Lim
H. The Order of St. Francis (OSF) Healthcare: Assessing and Developing Learning Agility to Build Transformational Leaders David F. Hoff Todd VanNest
I. Southeastern University, Free Methodist Church and OneAccord: Learning Agility Starts at the Top Robert B. McKenna Daniel Hallak Kent Ingle Glen Prior Jeff Rogers
J. J&J: The 134 Year Old Start-Up Miriam Nelson Sarah Brock Kevin Hedman