Workplace agility in terms of management skills is a fairly popular term at the moment. During the pandemic many fundamentally established management methods were subjected to a strength test that they could not stand, demonstrating their staleness and obsolescence. Within the framework of workflow management in a company, management agility implies flexible working principles that are initially ready to adapt in case of sudden changes.
Management in modern realities must be prepared for pandemic changes and, accordingly, this requires the storage of all data in a digital database. Cloud storage and workspaces allow you to manage the affairs of the company through a digital environment. This makes work much more mobile and increases the level of adaptability and agility of the company (Grood & Kralik, 2021). Undoubtedly, the storage of data in the digital space must be supported by strict confidentiality of access and powerful anti-virus software.
However, agility is also required in the manager’s mindset so that the company does not lose its competitiveness in today’s business market. Flexibility in management is the ability to collect and disseminate information about what possible changes can or should occur in the working environment. The manager must have not only technical means but also communication skills in order to quickly spread the news among the working staff. This will increase the productivity of employees in the event of a change, and make them more involved in the work process.
The communication skills of a manager include not only the possession of a clear and economical informational style, but also the skills of psychological persuasion. The communication of the manager with the employees must be convincing, but at the same time not put too much pressure on the staff, maintaining a trusting relationship in the team (Grood & Kralik, 2021). Knowledge of external forces is also necessary for the adequate management of the company while preserving flexibility. Factors such as consumer demand, fluctuating economic forces, and changing market conditions must be taken into account by the manager. Moreover, an agile manager must have critical thinking skills to predict changes and respond to them in a timely manner.
Structuring teamwork is also important for management agility. The manager must be well aware of the functional characteristics of his team, and the strengths and weaknesses of each. The manager is required to be the type of coach who inspires his team to work effectively, and simultaneously organizes it in the most effective way. Last but not least is the psychological state of the manager himself, who should be striving for simplicity despite not neglecting possible complex tasks (Grood & Kralik, 2021). This psychological readiness for difficulties but the desire to make the work meaningful and understandable should be broadcast to the entire team and inspire and motivate it.
Thus, the speed of decision-making, access to technology, and knowledge of the psychology of one’s own team, all are the main principles by which a company can maintain competence using agile management. In this way, one can gain an advantage over other companies, bringing greater satisfaction to customers, while maintaining the diversity of the team, its motivation and resistance to stress. The flexibility of management is important not only for maintaining the competence of the company, but also for increasing the satisfaction of both employees and clients receiving the company’s services.
Reference
Grood, S. J. G., & Kralik, M. (2021). Resetting management: Thrive with agility in the age of uncertainty. Kogan Page.