In 1914, Thomas Edison watched his entire factory burn to the ground. Years of work—gone in flames.
Most people would have collapsed in despair. Not Edison.
As the fire raged, he turned to his son and said:
“Go get your mother and all her friends. They’ll never see a fire like this again.”
The next morning? He showed up to work and said, “We’re rebuilding.”
No waiting. No self-pity. No excuses. Just action.
That’s agility.
What is Agility?
Agility is more than just speed—it’s the ability to adjust, pivot, and take decisive action when faced with uncertainty. It’s not about reacting to change; it’s about staying ahead of it.
Filipinos have always been known for pagkamaliksi—moving fast and thinking on our feet. We have diskarte, the resourcefulness to navigate obstacles. We have abilidad, the creativity to turn setbacks into opportunities.
Agility in leadership is about seeing problems before they happen, adapting before you’re forced to, and making decisions with confidence—even when you don’t have all the answers.
Why is Agility Important?
Because we don’t have the luxury of waiting.
The world is moving fast. Industries are evolving. Markets are shifting. The rules that worked yesterday are already changing today.
Look at companies that refused to adapt—Blockbuster, Kodak, Nokia. They were giants, but they failed to move with the times. Meanwhile, Netflix, Apple, and Amazon stayed agile. They adjusted, evolved, and dominated.
For Filipino professionals and businesses, agility is even more critical. We’re competing on a global stage where the biggest players don’t slow down. If we hesitate, resist change, or get stuck in outdated ways of thinking, we fall behind.
The leaders who embrace agility don’t just survive change—they drive it.
10 Practical Ways to Develop Agility
Most people fear change. They hesitate, overthink, and wait for things to “settle down.”
But change doesn’t wait. The world keeps moving. And the people who thrive? They don’t resist it—they use it.
Agility isn’t about moving fast. It’s about adapting fast—seeing change, adjusting quickly, and making the right moves before others do.
I’ve seen it over and over. In leadership, business, and life, the ones who embrace change first are the ones who win.
So, how do you develop agility? Here’s what works.
1. Rewire how you see change.
Most people see change as a threat. I see it as an advantage.
Years ago, I was hired to train a team that was struggling. A new CEO had stepped in, changed the entire strategy, and people were panicking.
Some employees resisted. Complained. Waited for things to “go back to normal.”
Others? They adjusted. Learned new skills. Took initiative.
Guess who got promoted?
When change happens, you have two choices: fight it or use it. The people who win are the ones who ask, “How can this work for me?” instead of “Why is this happening to me?”
↳ Action: When facing change, write down 3 potential opportunities it could create for you.
2. Make fast, informed decisions.
Agile leaders don’t wait until they have all the information. They gather what they can, trust their judgment, and act.
I learned this the hard way.
One time, I hesitated too long on a speaking opportunity. I wanted to be fully prepared. To know every detail. By the time I said yes? The slot was gone.
Meanwhile, another speaker—less experienced but quicker to decide—took it and made the most of it.
Perfect decisions are a myth. Fast, smart decisions win.
↳ Action: The next time you hesitate, give yourself a deadline. Make the best choice with what you have, then adjust as needed.
3. Experiment, adjust, repeat.
The first time I tried running an online workshop, it was a disaster. The platform crashed, my slides wouldn’t load, and I was scrambling.
I could have quit. Instead, I adjusted. I tested different tools, changed my approach, and kept improving.
Now? Virtual workshops are one of my best revenue streams.
The key? Small experiments. You don’t need to go all in—just test, learn, and refine.
↳ Action: Pick one thing you’ve been overthinking. Take one small step today, then adjust based on results.
4. Keep learning.
Some professionals think they’re done learning once they reach a certain level. I call that career suicide.
I’ve seen managers lose relevance because they stopped learning. The world moved forward, but they stayed the same.
Meanwhile, those who kept growing stayed ahead—learning new trends, new tools, and new ways to lead.
Agility thrives in people who are always leveling up.
↳ Action: Read one book, take one course, or attend one workshop this month. Never stop learning.
5. Get comfortable with uncertainty.
I once worked with a leader who needed everything planned. Every detail, mapped out. No surprises.
Then his company faced a crisis. Suddenly, there was no clear plan. He froze. Couldn’t decide. Couldn’t adapt.
His competitor? Moved fast. Took action. Adjusted on the fly.
Guess who survived?
The world doesn’t give us certainty. The best leaders make progress anyway.
↳ Action: The next time you feel uncertain, move forward anyway. Take a small step. Adjust as you go.
6. Build mental flexibility.
I once met a CEO who refused to change his business model—even as competitors disrupted the industry.
His belief? “This has always worked.”
Until it didn’t.
Rigidity kills progress. The best leaders challenge their own thinking. They ask, “What if I’m wrong?” and “What else is possible?”
↳ Action: Find one belief you’ve never questioned. Ask, “Is this still true?” Be willing to change your mind.
7. Strengthen your network.
When the pandemic hit, many businesses collapsed. Others? They thrived—because they had strong relationships.
I know business owners who pivoted fast—not because they had all the answers, but because they had the right people to guide them.
Who you know matters. Your network is your shortcut to agility.
↳ Action: Reach out to one person you admire. Learn from them. Expand your circle.
8. Drop perfectionism.
A client once told me he wanted to launch a new product but was waiting for it to be perfect.
Three months later, a competitor launched a similar product—and dominated the market.
Perfect is an illusion. Speed beats perfection.
↳ Action: Launch before you’re ready. Get feedback. Improve as you go.
9. Stay physically and mentally sharp.
You can’t be agile if you’re exhausted. Your energy fuels your ability to think, adapt, and act fast.
I’ve seen leaders burn out because they neglected their health. Meanwhile, those who stayed fit, rested, and mentally sharp? They performed better under pressure.
↳ Action: Move daily. Eat well. Sleep enough. Agility starts with energy.
10. Make change your edge.
Most people fear change. If you’re the one who embraces it? You have an advantage.
I’ve worked with leaders who built entire careers by mastering change. Every time an industry shifted, they were the first to adapt—while others resisted.
That’s why they stayed ahead.
↳ Action: When change happens, ask, “Where’s the opportunity here?” Find the edge others are missing.
Agility = Opportunity
The world won’t slow down for you. The only question is:
Are you ready to move with it?
The best leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals don’t wait for perfect conditions. They move. Adjust. Learn. Win.
And remember, you can be agile without being reckless.
Learn Agility
This page is your home base for mastering agility in leadership, business, and decision-making.
Here, you’ll find real-world strategies, actionable habits, and leadership insights to help you:
- Make faster, smarter decisions in uncertain situations
- Lead teams that embrace change instead of fearing it
- Overcome mental blocks that keep you stuck
- Stay competitive, relevant, and ahead of the game
Explore the Agility Series
Everything you need to develop agility is here. Start with these key topics:
- What is Agility? – The mindset, skills, and habits of agile leaders.
- How to Build an Agile Team – Create teams that move fast and execute with confidence.
- Agility in Decision-Making – How to think and act decisively, even in uncertainty.
- Breaking the ‘We’ve Always Done It This Way’ Mentality – Overcome resistance to change.
- The Biggest Myths About Agility – What agility is not (and why most leaders get it wrong).
This is just the beginning. I’ll be adding more insights, strategies, and case studies that will help you lead with agility and build an unstoppable mindset.
Take the First Step Now
Most people wait until they feel ready. But agility isn’t built by waiting.
It’s built by moving first and adjusting along the way.
Start with the first article. Apply one lesson today. And don’t stop moving forward.
– Jef Menguin
P.S. Know someone who needs to develop agility? Share this page with them. Leadership is not a solo journey. Let’s move fast and grow together.
Agility is also a supervisory skill. Explore how you can develop agility skills.
How Agile Is Your Organization?
The world is changing fast. Markets shift. Customer needs evolve. Competitors move quicker than ever.
The question is: Can your organization keep up?
Agile companies spot trends early, make fast decisions, and adapt resources without getting stuck in bureaucracy. They do not just survive change—they use it to get ahead.
Agility Quotes
Innovation is key. Only those who have the agility to change with the market and innovate quickly will survive.
Robert Kiyosaki
Agility is the ability to adapt and respond to change … agile organizations view change as an opportunity, not a threat.
Jim Highsmith
Success today requires the agility and drive to constantly rethink, reinvigorate, react, and reinvent.
Bill Gates
Success is no longer about changing strategies more often but having the agility to execute multiple strategies concurrently. And success requires CEOs to develop the right leadership capabilities, workforce skills, and corporate cultures to support digital transformation.
Pierre Nanterme
I’m not the fastest guy, but when it comes to agility, getting in and out of cuts, and seeing something and going to get it, I do my best to make sure that’s on point.
Frank Gore
