Flexibility

Imagine if your emotions could predict your organization’s success. Research supports the radical idea that since emotions inform our thoughts, decisions and actions, we can actually benefit from paying attention to them. Instead of emotions being a problem to eliminate, we can learn to view exhaustion, fear, anger and impatience as informants. The R.A.I.N. Tool is an easy-to-remember guide for tapping into the power of emotional awareness. With practice, you will gain a new appreciation for the full range of emotions and a new leadership tool for compassion and flexibility.

This document contains stories of people being agile and of failing to be agile. (The titles next to people’s names are their titles at the time the story occurred and may not be their title currently.) Discussing diverse situations in which people failed or succeeded to live up to their values often helps people to recognize and act on other opportunities when they arise. By discussing these stories in meetings, on teams, over internet or intranet forums, or in classrooms, groups can come up with ideas for leading with exceptional agility, learn each other’s perspectives, work through disagreements, and generate ideas.  The teaching note is included.