I love classic fantasy films!
These films always make me feel like a storyteller, a
hero, a lover, an adventurer but also a child!
I adore them…and the movie I love the most is "The
Thief of Bagdad" from 1940, a classic of the fantasy adventure genre in
cinematic history, known for its impressive special effects and imaginative
storytelling, which were groundbreaking for its time and extremely innovative.
In this classic film, there is a memorable quote that
resonates with the principles of agility we navigate in today's world:
“…listen, observe and remember…”
This trio of
guidance not only fueled the adventures of a young thief in a mythical city but
also holds the key to success in our agile reality.
Just as the
protagonist, learned to listen to the wisdom of his allies, observe the magical
world around him and remember the lessons he encountered on his journey, in a
similar way, individuals and organizations in today's fast-paced environment
must adopt a similar mindset in the ever-evolving landscape of the agile world.
Effective listening is the foundation of agility. It involves not only hearing what others are saying but also understanding their perspectives and feelings. In an agile world, listening is a two-way street. It's about actively seeking input from others, whether they are team members, customers, or stakeholders. Thanks to listening, you get enabled to gather valuable insights and ideas that can fuel innovation and drive better decision-making.
When you truly
listen, you build stronger relationships and create an environment where
collaboration flourishes, since you are open to feedback and willing to pivot
when necessary.
Observation complements listening. While listening involves actively engaging with others, observation entails paying attention to your surroundings, market trends and emerging opportunities or threats. It's about maintaining awareness to changing dynamics in your industry and responding proactively.
In an agile world, observation helps you anticipate shifts and adapt swiftly. By keeping an eye on market trends, competitors and customer behavior, you can identify emerging patterns and adjust your strategies accordingly, since you invest on continuous learning and experimentation, both vital components of agility.
Remembering is about retaining valuable insights and lessons learned from your experiences. In an agile world, where change is constant, the ability to remember and apply past knowledge is a competitive advantage.
Remembering involves documenting your experiences, keeping track of what worked and what didn't and learning from both successes and failures. It's about creating a knowledge repository that you and your organization can tap into when faced with similar challenges in the future. Remembering also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, where individuals and teams can build upon their past achievements.
So, how do these three words—Listen, Observe and Remember—work together to help everyone evolve successfully in an agile world?
When you actively listen, you gain valuable insights and ideas from diverse perspectives. These insights, when combined with observations of changing dynamics, empower you to make informed decisions and take calculated risks. By remembering and applying lessons from your experiences, you build a foundation of knowledge that enables you to navigate future challenges with confidence.
In an agile world, success is not determined only by how fast you can react but also by how well you can adapt. These three guidelines—Listen, Observe and Remember—create a circle of continuous improvement and innovation and provide us with the tools needed to navigate the ever-changing landscape of business and life with resilience and success.
