{"id":19041,"date":"2025-12-16T10:51:01","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T09:51:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/?p=19041"},"modified":"2025-12-16T10:54:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T09:54:27","slug":"agile-thinking-as-the-core-of-modern-leadership-intelligence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/team-development\/agile-thinking-as-the-core-of-modern-leadership-intelligence\/","title":{"rendered":"Agile thinking as the core of modern leadership intelligence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"block-contents  pb20 pb24@md pb32@lg pb40@xl\" id=\"block_acf-block-69412c52bc511\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<nav aria-label=\"Contents on this site\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"like-h2\">table of contents<\/div>\n\t\t<ul class=\"clean-list list-disc list-inside bt bc-contour\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<li class=\"bb bc-contour w-100 py2 py3@xl\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#Anker1\" class=\"c-text h:c-primary\">\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>A new kind of leadership intelligence: Leading through ambiguity<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<li class=\"bb bc-contour w-100 py2 py3@xl\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#Anker2\" class=\"c-text h:c-primary\">\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>Limitations of traditional intelligence \u2013 and its expansion through leadership intelligence<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<li class=\"bb bc-contour w-100 py2 py3@xl\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#Anker3\" class=\"c-text h:c-primary\">\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>From IQ and EQ to integrative leadership intelligence<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<li class=\"bb bc-contour w-100 py2 py3@xl\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#Anker4\" class=\"c-text h:c-primary\">\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>The ability to embrace ambiguity as an element of leadership intelligence<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<li class=\"bb bc-contour w-100 py2 py3@xl\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#Anker5\" class=\"c-text h:c-primary\">\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>Why leadership intelligence is indispensable today<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\n\t\t<\/nav>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"block-text  pb20 pb24@md pb32@lg pb40@xl\" id=\"block_acf-block-69412c52bc79b\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"f6@xl mx-auto\"><h2>A new kind of leadership intelligence: Leading through ambiguity<\/h2>\n<p><a name=\"Anker1\"><\/a><br \/>\nA beverage company&#8217;s strategic horizon spanned ten years \u2013 precisely planned, data-driven, and focused on long-term trends. Innovation cycles, sustainability goals, expansion strategies: everything was clearly defined. But after only two years, a surprising merger with a technology-oriented health brand changed the entire situation. The management team had to rethink everything abruptly \u2013 not only operationally, but also at the level of leadership intelligence.<\/p>\n<p>The joint process quickly revealed that there was no lack of traditional intelligence and emotional competence. However, in times of increasing uncertainty, a more advanced form of leadership intelligence was needed\u2014the ability to hold contradictory realities simultaneously, tolerate ambiguity, and make decisions beyond familiar references.<\/p>\n<p>Thoughts from the current scientific debate\u2014including those of Kathryn Hayden\u2014show how much our understanding of intelligence is changing. They shed light on the question of whether traditional concepts such as IQ are sufficient or whether modern leadership requires entirely new dimensions of intelligence.<\/p>\n<h2>Limitations of traditional intelligence \u2013 and its expansion through leadership intelligence<\/h2>\n<p><a name=\"Anker2\"><\/a><br \/>\nThe discussion surrounding intelligence highlights key points that are relevant to leadership today:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>IQ tests only capture a small part of what people are actually capable of achieving.<\/li>\n<li>Creative intelligence is becoming increasingly important in light of technological developments such as AI.<\/li>\n<li>Spiritual and intuitive intelligence are increasingly regarded as valuable components of holistic leadership development.<\/li>\n<li>Practical and creative talents remain underrepresented in many selection processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These perspectives form an important basis for understanding and developing leadership intelligence more comprehensively.<\/p>\n<h2>From IQ and EQ to integrative leadership intelligence<\/h2>\n<p><a name=\"Anker3\"><\/a><br \/>\nFor many years, IQ and EQ were considered the decisive foundations of successful leadership. But modern leadership demands more. Leadership intelligence combines analytical acuity, emotional awareness, intuitive insights, and the ability to use complexity constructively.<\/p>\n<p>It combines several areas of expertise:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Logic and emotion<\/li>\n<li>Acting and reflecting<\/li>\n<li>Security and doubt<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This integrative mindset enables leaders to remain clear despite uncertainty, listen deeply, and still act decisively. It promotes innovation without losing direction.<\/p>\n<p>Paul Torrance already demonstrated that creative thinkers accept ambiguity\u2014a key element of modern leadership intelligence. Effective leadership is not based on avoiding complexity, but on actively shaping it.<\/p>\n<p><em>Effective leadership not only combines knowledge and empathy\u2014it is characterized by the ability to navigate complexity intelligently.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>The ability to embrace ambiguity as an element of leadership intelligence<\/h2>\n<p><a name=\"Anker4\"><\/a><br \/>\nAccepting ambiguity and using it productively is not purely a question of attitude. It is a skill that can be developed and is a central component of modern leadership intelligence.<\/p>\n<p>Studies show that up to 80% of the most creative people are overlooked by standardized tests. This makes it clear that organizations need new ways to recognize potential and specifically promote skills in dealing with ambiguity.<\/p>\n<h2>Why leadership intelligence is indispensable today<\/h2>\n<p><a name=\"Anker5\"><\/a><br \/>\nIn a world that is increasingly volatile, complex, and interconnected, leadership intelligence is becoming a decisive factor for success. It helps managers:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maintaining multiple perspectives simultaneously<\/li>\n<li>Authentically connecting diverse teams<\/li>\n<li>Making decisions that integrate conflicting requirements<\/li>\n<li>Avoiding groupthink and strengthening critical dialogue<\/li>\n<li>Enabling sustainable innovation through complexity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Leadership intelligence thus represents a new understanding of leadership: away from purely rational or emotional skills \u2013 toward integrative thinking that combines stability, creativity, and adaptability.<\/p>\n<p>|<em>Andrew Grant<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"block-text  pb20 pb24@md pb32@lg pb40@xl\" id=\"block_acf-block-69412c52bc805\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"f6@xl mx-auto\"><h2>About the author<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 12px; flex-wrap: wrap; max-width: 100%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 300px; height: 300px; border-radius: 50%; object-fit: cover; flex-shrink: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Andrew_Grant.jpg\" alt=\"Profilbild\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0; flex: 1 1 200px; min-width: 200px;\">Andrew Grant is the CEO of the Australian company Tirian, as well as an author and facilitator. He brings many years of experience in the field of team development and is a specialist in innovation and transformation within companies.<br \/>\nWith a keen sense for interpersonal dynamics and a great deal of enthusiasm for sustainable change processes, he regularly writes about topics that really help teams move forward.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/andrew-grant-autor\/\">You can find out more about Andrew and his current projects here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"block-related-content  pb20 pb24@md pb32@lg pb40@xl\" id=\"block_acf-block-69412c52bcb55\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<h2 class=\"like-h3\">You may also be interested in<\/h2><div class=\"grid mt4 mt8@md mt12@xl row-gaps\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cell 12 6@sm 4@lg d-flex Xmb4 Xmb8@md Xmb0@lg\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"shadow1 d-flex flex-col w-100 overflow-hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"p-relative overflow-hidden w-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/team-development\/conflict-in-the-team-so-train-you-to-resolve-conflict-in-the-team\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/Konfliktmanagement-Header-640x344.jpeg\" alt=\"Konfliktmanagement Header\" class=\"object-cover h48 h64@xl\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ta-center pa8 pa10@md d-flex flex-col flex-grow-1 w-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"like-h3 f4@lg f3@xl hyphens-auto mb2 mb3@sm mb4@lg mb5@xl\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/team-development\/conflict-in-the-team-so-train-you-to-resolve-conflict-in-the-team\/\" class=\"c-text h:c-primary lh-tight\">Conflict Resolution in Teams: Strengthen Collaboration and Productivity<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"measure mx-auto mt0 flex-grow-1 c-text f6@xl\"><p>Conflicts in a team cannot be completely prevented. But a team can learn to solve them in time before the team spirit or even process flows are endangered.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cell 12 6@sm 4@lg d-flex Xmb4 Xmb8@md Xmb0@lg\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"shadow1 d-flex flex-col w-100 overflow-hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"p-relative overflow-hidden w-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/team-development\/management-vs-leadership-so-train-your-team\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/Management-vs-Leadership-Header-640x344.jpeg\" alt=\"Management vs Leadership Workshop f\u00fcrs Team\" class=\"object-cover h48 h64@xl\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ta-center pa8 pa10@md d-flex flex-col flex-grow-1 w-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"like-h3 f4@lg f3@xl hyphens-auto mb2 mb3@sm mb4@lg mb5@xl\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/team-development\/management-vs-leadership-so-train-your-team\/\" class=\"c-text h:c-primary lh-tight\">Management vs. leadership &#8211; how to train leadership and management skills in a team<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"measure mx-auto mt0 flex-grow-1 c-text f6@xl\"><p>Leadership spearheads new visions and initiatives, while management effectively controls the resources to turn those visions into reality.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cell 12 4@lg d-flex\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"shadow1 d-flex flex-col flex-row@sm flex-col@lg w-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"p-relative overflow-hidden w-100 w-50@sm w-100@lg overflow-hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/team-development\/employee-motivation-rethink\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/08\/Teamentwicklung-Strategie-640x633.jpg\" alt=\"Teamentwicklung Strategie\" class=\"object-cover h48 h64@xl\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ta-center pa8 pa10@md d-flex flex-col flex-grow-1 w-100 w-50@sm w-100@lg\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"like-h3 f4@lg f3@xl hyphens-auto mb2 mb3@sm mb4@lg mb5@xl\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/team-development\/employee-motivation-rethink\/\" class=\"c-text h:c-primary lh-tight\">It is high time to rethink employee motivation!<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"measure mx-auto mt0 flex-grow-1 c-text f6@xl\"><p>Whether we are motivated and efficient at work is strongly related to the DELIs. Whether teams realise their performance potential and whether it is fun to work in this team is also a result of motivation and appreciation. <\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Accepting ambiguity and using it productively is not purely a question of attitude. It is a skill that can be developed and is a central component of modern leadership intelligence. In a world that is increasingly volatile, complex, and interconnected, leadership intelligence is becoming a decisive factor for success.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":19042,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_trash_the_other_posts":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19041","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-team-development"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19041","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19041"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19041\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19041"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19041"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bitou.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19041"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}