Week after week, I am meeting with leaders during executive coaching sessions. I am listening to adaptive challenges, technical problems and strategic uncertainty. Routinely now, I am asked about what we should focus on as spring unfolds before us. My answer is straight forward and direct: “Focus on dynamic stability.”
This is not a two word combination that I had heard about until I read a chapter called "Entrepreneurial Leadership: Building Capacity for Speed, Risk, and Continuous Innovation" by Joel R. DeLuca from the book, The Many Facets of Leadership (Prentice Hall, 2003) by Marshall Goldsmith, Vijay Govindarajan, Beverly Kaye, and Albert A. Vicere.
The dictionary defines stability as follows: “not changing or fluctuating; resisting forces tending to cause motion; developing forces to restore equilibrium of original condition.” When companies and their leaders choose to preserve the core of the company, i.e. mission, vision and core values, they generate stability during change.
On the other hand, the dictionary defines dynamic as follows: “deals with forces and their relation primarily to motion; a pattern of change; forces associated with equilibrium.” When companies and their leaders choose to stimulate progress, i.e. a forward looking strategic plan, they generate dynamic energy during change.
Now, both of the above definitions include the word equilibrium. Leaders, and in particular entrepreneurial leaders, understand that a successful business model generates a special form of equilibrium which is based not on stability of content or structure as much as stability of process and culture. Dynamic stability is equilibrium produced by continuous, and often relentless forward momentum. An example of this is someone riding a bicycle. The faster you go, the more stable the bike is. When you slow down, then you wobble.
This spring explore and discuss the concept of dynamic stability with your team. When you preserve the core and stimulate progress at the same time, you are able to generate on-going success and positive forward momentum.
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