Agility Perspective on Good and Bad Decisions in Politics and Business

The power of AGILITY:

The world is filled with examples of political and business decisions, both good and bad. Though these choices shape the course of history, they often affect people profoundly—either uplifting societies or creating hardships. While good decisions tend to share benefits broadly, bad ones usually leave the public bearing the consequences.

It’s a challenge we face: looking at hindsight and asking, “Could we have done this sooner? Or more thoughtfully?” At WAPA International S.A., we specialize in Organizational Agility—a capability focused on reducing the common barriers to swift and adaptive decision-making. Our mission is to examine and address the inhibitors of change—systems, processes, bureaucracy, organizational structures, and culture. Our work often reveals that a more agile approach could make a positive decision even more impactful or mitigate the harm of a poor one.

What if we re-evaluated historical and current events through an agility lens? Could faster decisions have minimized a crisis? Could more flexible thinking have maximized an opportunity?

Learning from Some of the Best Political Decisions

History offers shining examples of good political decisions that, through planning and foresight, have had profound and lasting impacts:

1. The Marshall Plan (1948-1951): In the wake of World War II, Europe’s devastation was met with an agile response—the U.S. provided over $12 billion for economic rebuilding. This led to a speedy recovery and established a foundation for lasting alliances. It took, however, THREE full years to enact prolonging the agony of the post war in Europe.
2. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948): Prompted by the atrocities of WWII, the UN quickly adopted a global standard for human rights, which has influenced legal frameworks worldwide. This declaration was discussed for THREE and a half years although everybody was in agreement after one year.
3. The European Union (Maastricht Treaty, 1992): The EU's creation represented a collaborative vision, aiming for unity and peace among European nations.
4. Ending Apartheid in South Africa (1994): Through negotiations and agile leadership, South Africa ended apartheid, achieving a peaceful transition and establishing a democratic government.
5. China’s Economic Reforms (1978): China’s economic transformation showed the power of policy agility, lifting millions out of poverty and establishing China as a global economic force.

Each of these cases underscores how agile thinking, adaptability, and timely actions set the groundwork for enduring peace, justice, and prosperity.

The Cost of Poor Political Decisions

Conversely, history also shows us the cost of poor political decisions where a lack of adaptability or foresight led to devastating outcomes:

1. The Treaty of Versailles (1919): Imposing harsh terms on Germany without agile reassessment led to resentment, fueling World War II.
2. The Great Leap Forward (1958-1962): In China, rigid planning without flexibility caused famine and economic devastation.
3. Napoleon’s Invasion of Russia (1812): A lack of strategic agility ended in disaster for his troops, signaling the downfall of his empire.
4. The Partition of India (1947): Hastily dividing India led to mass displacement and lasting tensions between India and Pakistan.

These examples reflect the heavy cost of failing to adapt, often leaving the public to shoulder the consequences.

Agility in Business: Lessons from Successes and Failures

Business history is filled with similar lessons. The best business decisions often reflect agility in spotting and responding to emerging opportunities:

1. Apple’s Pivot to the iPhone (2007): Apple’s shift from computers to smartphones transformed global technology and consumer habits.
2. Amazon’s E-commerce and Cloud Expansion: Jeff Bezos’s agile leadership turned Amazon into both an e-commerce giant and a leader in cloud computing.
3. Netflix’s Move to Streaming (2007): Transitioning from DVDs to streaming helped Netflix redefine entertainment.
4. Toyota’s Lean Manufacturing (1940s-1950s): Toyota’s agility led to a manufacturing revolution, emphasizing efficiency and continuous improvement.

Yet, some poor business decisions show the cost of failing to adapt:

1. Kodak’s Resistance to Digital: Despite pioneering digital cameras, Kodak clung to film, eventually leading to bankruptcy.
2. Nokia not responding quickly to Apple iPhone launch: Sticking to their plan of launching a superior product half a year later lost their leadership status and was eventually the beginning to the end. This unnecessary delay caused the closure of the mobile phone operation.
3. Blockbuster’s Decline to Buy Netflix: Blockbuster’s refusal to adapt to digital streaming left it in the past.
4. Microsoft’s Mobile Struggles: Microsoft’s failure to invest in mobile technology led to missed opportunities and market share loss.
5. Volvo had the opportunity to merge 50% of Statoil in Norway: Stopped by bureaucrats, small shareholders in conjunction with the Swedish government prevented the board of Volvo to accept a deal that would have made Sweden a debtless nation.

These examples reinforce the idea that agility—both in decision-making and implementation—is key to long-term success.

A Call for Operational Agility

The lesson is clear: agility enables organizations to navigate uncertainty and seize opportunities faster. This doesn’t mean abandoning thoughtfulness for impulsivity, but rather, adopting a “skipper’s” mindset—moving forward, even in baby steps, towards clear goals. Embracing agility allows organizations to stay relevant, make good decisions better, and make poor ones less detrimental.

At WAPA International S.A., we believe agility is a transformative force, one that has the potential to reshape how we face the challenges and opportunities of our time.

Call on us at [email protected] or check our website www.wapa.world for consulting information and training in agility.