Agile is slow

Walking through the rugged beauty of Abisko National Park (like the photo taken 18 years ago), far north in Sweden, I've been an observer of nature's grand theater. Over my many treks, something caught my attention: the birch larva and its impact on the surrounding forest. The transformation was very fascinating.

Scania's transformation from a traditional truck manufacturer to a leader in sustainable transport is a journey not just through industry, but through a change in thinking. It's a story that reflects nature's own cycles, like the tale of the birch larva. Once seen as a pest for the way it destroys birch trees, leaving behind what looks like devastation, we've now come to understand that the birch larva plays a critical role in the forest's health, enhancing biodiversity and even resilience over time. This shift in perspective, from seeing the larva as a destroyer to recognizing it as a vital part of the ecosystem, is like Scania's evolution.

Taylorism, with its emphasis on observable, empirical facts and quantifiable results, have historically mirrored the traditional operational philosophy. This perspective prioritizes efficiency, predictability, and control, much like to the industrial rhythms of a factory. However, I argue that this framework often overlooks the nuanced, subjective, and interconnected aspects of existence, much like the initial human response to the birch larva's effect on forests in Abisko. For decades, humans perceived the birch larva as a pest, a threat to be put away, based on its immediate, visible impact on birch trees.

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As I've wandered through the rugged terrains and untouched landscapes of Abisko National Park in the far north of Europe, I've witnessed the cycles of nature – the dramatic, apparently destructive work of the birch larva, followed by the unexpected beauty and renewal that emerges from what appeared to be devastation. This experience has offered me insights, shaping my understanding of change, and the beauty that often follows what we initially perceive as destruction.

This natural cycle in Abisko mirrors the transformation journey of Scania. Much like how I've seen the birch larva's role in the forest's life cycle, I see that Scania is transitioning from its traditional roots as a truck manufacturer to become a leader in sustainable transport. This, according to me, isn't just a change in business focus; it's a fundamental shift in perspective, recognizing that true progress and innovation come from working in harmony with our environment, rather than attempting to control or measure everything in absolute numbers. Maybe Taylorism and post-modernism is part of the past and flowing with nature is the new black?

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Adopting an agile approach, we're learning to embrace change rather than resist it, understanding that innovation and progress often require us to let go of the old to make way for the new. This mindset shift is like observing the forest's recovery after the birch larva, realizing that what seems like an end is just the beginning of something new and even more beautiful. The nature is responding to change over following a plan from “tayloristic” humans. This is agile.

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As we move forward, I believe our goal at Scania is not just to innovate for the sake of progress, but to do so with a deep sense of responsibility and connection to the world around us. I think that we aim to foster a future where technology and sustainability walk hand in hand, inspired by the resilience and adaptability of nature itself.

The nature in Abisko has responded to change, and even become richer, in a true agile way even though it takes decades and is slow.

The journey of the birch larva in the majestic landscapes of Abisko has taught me a valuable lesson: in both nature and business, the most profound transformations come from facing challenges head-on and finding the hidden opportunities within them. At Scania, we're not just navigating change; we're driving real change as an opportunity to grow, innovate, and contribute to a more sustainable and beautiful world.

#driverealchange #drivingtheshift #changemanagement