Agility & Adaptability in Turbulent Times - Ralph de la Vega

We are living in a challenging time for executives and corporate directors. Inflation, the rising cost of capital, supply chain constraints, labor shortages, uncertainty about demand, war, and sanctions, are some of the factors impacting organizations around the globe.

These factors have a massive impact on funding and the valuation of corporations, whether public or private. In this environment, businesses must assess various planning scenarios, prioritize, and be ready to pivot depending on the situation.

Corporate agility in the board room is as critical as agility by the executive team. The two must operate in concert to successfully execute necessary changes at scale. During turbulent times communications are critically important. Communications to customers, employees, and investors must be clear, concise, and consistent to align the interests of all stakeholders.

In my experience, while this type of environment creates many challenges, it also generates many opportunities for those who seize the occasion and adapt as needed to help an organization thrive despite the uncertainties it faces.

Agility and adaptability are the keys to success in a fast-changing environment with uncertain outcomes. Paraphrasing Darwin’s evolutionary research:

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the best able to adapt to the environment in which it finds itself.”

This “board” issue of Latino Leaders Magazine recognizes corporate directors of diverse backgrounds who have distinguished themselves in various industries. They are individuals who have demonstrated the agility and adaptability to succeed not only in business but in life.

 Leon C. Megginson paraphrased Charles Darwin's evolutionary research: it is not the most intellectual of the species that survives; it is not the strongest that survives; but the species that survives is the one that is able best to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself