Perspectives in Leadership: Agile vs. Waterfall
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Women in healthcare's leadership styles vary greatly, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. I think of myself as an interactive leader. I want my subordinates to perform well and feel good about their value and work. Does my leadership style make me more agile? In this post, we will delve into two popular leadership styles in HIT project management, agile and waterfall, particularly in the context of women in leadership roles.

Origins of Agile and Waterfall

Agile Leadership

Agile leadership originates from the Agile methodology in software development. It is characterized by a flexible and interactive approach, emphasizing collaboration, adaptability, and leading by example. Agile leaders foster a culture of transparency, inspection, and adaptation. Let's look at an example.

Sheryl Sandberg, the former COO of Facebook (now Meta), is a prime example of an Agile leader. Her leadership style is characterized by flexibility, adaptability, and a collaborative approach. Sandberg has been known to foster a culture of open communication and continuous feedback at Meta. She emphasizes the importance of transparency and encourages teams to be innovative and responsive to changes. Sandberg's ability to pivot strategies and lead by example has driven Facebook's growth and adaptability in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Waterfall Leadership

The Waterfall methodology, on the other hand, is a traditional approach with sequential stages: conception, initiation, analysis, design, construction, testing, implementation, and maintenance. Waterfall leaders tend to be authoritative and have clear direction and control of the project process. Who's utilizing this style? Meg Whitman, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard (HP) and eBay, exemplifies a Waterfall leader style. During her tenure at HP, Whitman employed a structured and methodical approach to manage the company through a significant restructuring phase. She focused on clear goal setting, precise execution of plans, and maintaining control over the company's processes. Whitman's authoritative leadership style ensured HP could navigate challenging times with a clear and steady direction, ultimately stabilizing and revitalizing the company's operations. Her approach at eBay also showcased her ability to provide clear direction and drive strategic initiatives with precision.

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Agile and Waterfall: Beneficial for Different Teams

Agile Leadership Benefits

  • Agile leadership often thrives in dynamic environments where change is constant.

  • Teams that benefit from Agile leadership include those working on complex projects where requirements may evolve over time.

  • Agile leaders work closely with their teams, facilitating communication, encouraging feedback, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Waterfall Leadership Benefits

  • The Waterfall leadership style benefits teams working on projects with precise, unchanging requirements and well-defined goals.

  • Projects usually follow a linear path and have a set deadline. Waterfall leaders provide a clear direction, ensuring that everyone on the team understands their roles and responsibilities.

Choosing Your Leadership Style

Choosing between Agile and Waterfall leadership styles depends on several factors, including the nature of the project, the team's skills, and the organizational culture. Agile leadership is best suited for projects with ambiguous requirements and high complexity. It is also ideal when the team values flexibility, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Conversely, the Waterfall leadership style is best for projects with clear, fixed requirements and where a structured approach is necessary. This style also suits leaders who prefer controlling the project and making critical decisions.

Here's the thing ...,

As a woman in leadership, understanding both Agile and Waterfall leadership styles can help you adapt to various situations and lead your team to success. Remember, the best leaders do not stick to one style but can adapt their leadership to the team and project needs.

Shereese Maynard
Author
Shereese Maynard
Chief Marketing Officer