The arts and creative sectors are constantly changing and organisations can find themselves at the whim of changing funding structures, politics and lack of resources. Noting that this still puts pressure on individuals and teams, and does not resolve systemic issues, flexible and agile leaders adapt their plans to fit the realities of any situation, ensuring productivity during transitions or chaotic times. These leaders embrace change, welcome new ideas, and collaborate effectively with a diverse range of individuals. They view uncertainty and ambiguity as the norm. Flexibility involves not only major changes but also adapting to everyday tasks that may shift unexpectedly.
In the creative sector, a flexible leader should be responsive to a diversity of people and perspectives. A challenge for leaders is to guide their organisation through complex change and to ensure organisational alignment and employee engagement. It is rarely possible for busy leaders to ‘be across’ all elements of their operations at the micro-level, so knowing what to ask, who to ask, and where to get advice is critical.