On Wednesday, 15 January 2025, Natural Direction brought together HR leaders, Chief People Officers, and Practitioners for The Agility Advantage, a transformative discussion on navigating change and fostering organisational agility.
The event was led by Martin Coburn, Founder of Natural Direction and Leadership Expert, and Dr. Jack Lewis, renowned neuroscientist and international bestselling author of “Sort Your Brain Out”. Together, they explored the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements, societal shifts, and the rapid pace of modern life to tackle one of the biggest questions facing organisations today:
How do we close the gap between the speed of technological change and human adaptability?
This widening gap poses a critical challenge for leaders as they strive to stay competitive and future-proof their organisations. Whether you’re leading a team or an entire organisation, your ability to adapt, and help others do the same, will determine your success.
The Changing Context
The pace of technological change
Martin emphasised the unprecedented speed of technological advancements. Using examples, he illustrated the rapid acceleration of innovation, for example, it took 2.4 million years for our ancestors to control fire and use it for cooking, but 66 years to go from the first flight to humans landing on the moon. The processing speed of the smartphone in your pocket is tens of millions times faster than the Guidance Computer that made that landing possible.
We’re just getting started, the technological advances we’ve made between 2020 and 2025 are unprecedented in human history. We should be prepared for 100 years of innovation, in the next 10 years.
When discussing the rapid progression of technology, particularly AI, Martin posed a thought-provoking question: “Just because we can, should we?” This was framed in the context of the ethical dilemmas some AI applications present, such as deceptive or harmful uses. Martin emphasised the importance of making deliberate, conscious choices to leverage technology in ways that advance humanity rather than harm it.
Workplace shifts
As technology has evolved, so too has the workplace. From the rigid, location-dependent roles of the industrial age to the flexible, tech-driven environments of today, the transformation of work has been profound. Modern workplaces not only reflect advancements in technology but also shifts in societal expectations, employee priorities, and global connectivity. Looking ahead, the future of work promises even greater innovation, reshaping how, where, and why we work.
Takeaway: Successful leaders balance technological innovation with the human element, ensuring tools are integrated thoughtfully and strategically.
Challenges to Adaptability
Martin challenged the audience to reflect on the role fear plays in preventing individuals and organisations from making bold decisions. He explained that fear, of the unknown, of failure, or of being overwhelmed, can paralyse decision-making, leading to missed opportunities.
“When you’re operating from a place of fear, you protect rather than progress,” Martin remarked. He encouraged leaders to focus on creating environments of psychological safety where teams feel confident to take risks and embrace innovation.
Martin shared practical strategies for reducing fear, including:
- Open forums: Involve those affected by change in the change planning process.
- Open and honest communication: so that your employees don’t make up their own stories about the impact of change and how it will affect them.
- Leaders must lead by example: establish a culture of learning and experimentation.
Martin also highlighted the compounding effect of fear on organisational agility: “When you’re with fear, you don’t make those brave decisions. Organisations don’t make brave decisions.”
Takeaway: Leaders must act as change agents, addressing fear directly and fostering a culture that prioritises trust and adaptability.
The Neuroscience of Change: insights from Dr. Jack Lewis
The second session of The Agility Advantage was led by Dr. Jack Lewis, a neuroscientist with decades of experience exploring the brain’s capacity for adaptation and learning. Dr. Lewis delved into the neuroscience behind human behaviour and adaptability, offering insights into how leaders can harness brain science to drive organisational change. His presentation bridged cutting-edge neuroscience research with practical strategies, providing attendees with tools to foster resilience and agility in their teams.
Neuroplasticity: brains are built to change
Dr. Lewis opened by explaining the concept of neuroplasticity, the brain’s remarkable ability to rewire itself in response to learning and experience. He emphasised that the brain adapts physically to support new skills, even in adulthood. Key ingredients for neuroplasticity are regular practice, moderate challenge, and sustained effort over time.
He dispelled the myth that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” illustrating how adults can foster brain change with the right habits.
Brains Adapt to Physical and Digital Environments
The brain doesn’t just respond to the physical world, it adapts to the digital environments we inhabit. Dr. Lewis warned that:
Smartphone pings and constant notifications drain cognitive resources, even if ignored.
Tech multitasking rewires the brain to be more distractible, reducing focus and efficiency.
Overuse of digital tools can diminish empathy, critical thinking, and creativity, which require deeper engagement.
He emphasised the importance of creating distraction-free zones to minimise interruptions and maintain cognitive performance.
However, he also highlighted technology’s potential to enhance productivity when used mindfully and intentionally.
Different Generations: end up with different brains
Dr. Lewis explored how generational experiences with technology shape brain development:
Younger generations, who grow up immersed in fast-paced digital environments, are more prone to short attention spans and shallow thinking patterns.
Overexposure to “cheap dopamine” from apps and social media erodes the brain’s capacity for deep focus and satisfaction from long-term efforts.
Older generations, in contrast, may find adapting to new technologies challenging due to fewer neuroplastic experiences with learning new skills post-formal education.
He stressed the need to balance technological exposure with activities that promote manual dexterity, physical interaction, and meaningful human connection.
GenAI at Work: the ever changing work environment
The rise of Generative AI (GenAI) presents both opportunities and challenges in the workplace. Dr. Lewis explained:
GenAI excels at generating first drafts and ideation, but it lacks true understanding, leading to risks of factual inaccuracies (“AI hallucinations”).
Organisations must remain vigilant by combining AI output with human expertise to avoid errors and maintain trust.
Over-reliance on GenAI can erode critical thinking and writing skills, emphasising the importance of using AI as a tool, not a replacement.
He warned that unchecked adoption of AI could lead to a workforce ill-equipped to think creatively and independently, urging leaders to prioritise training on both effective use and critical evaluation of AI tools.
Optimal Strategies: towards good “Gen brAIn” outcomes
To foster healthy, adaptable brains in the workplace, Dr. Lewis recommended strategies aligned with neuroscience:
- Create distraction-free environments: Minimise interruptions to help teams focus deeply and enter states of “flow.”
- Foster a growth mindset: Encourage teams to embrace failure as a learning opportunity and reward progress over perfection.
- Invest in daily learning: Promote regular skill-building to keep brains in a neuroplastic state.
- Model healthy tech use: Leaders should set an example by balancing technology adoption with human-centered practices.
- Encourage reflection: Build in time for employees to process and integrate experiences, enhancing long-term problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Dr. Lewis concluded with a call for mindfulness in how organisations integrate technology into their workflows, ensuring that it enhances rather than undermines human potential.
Building Agile and Adaptable Teams
In times of unprecedented change, leaders must reevaluate how they approach team dynamics and foster adaptability. By addressing this critical question, leaders can better equip their teams to navigate uncertainty, embrace innovation, and thrive in a rapidly evolving workplace: What do leaders need to be more mindful of in leading teams in times of unprecedented change?
Martin asked attendees to draw a tree and reflect on whether they had included the roots, a powerful reminder to address the invisible systems and behaviours that drive visible outcomes.
“Our lives and organisations are perfectly designed to produce the results we see today,” Martin explained. “If you want different results, you have to change the roots, the systems, behaviours, and environments that shape those results.”
He outlined practical steps for leaders to identify and nurture the “roots” of organisational change, because typically, people don’t fail, they have the right intentions. It’s the systems around them that let them down.
Martin also emphasised the importance of addressing the “tribe” within organisations, the social dynamics and cultural norms that heavily influence behaviour. “The culture is always stronger than the strategy. If you don’t address the tribe, nothing will stick,” he noted.
The Six Forces of Influence
These six forces influence all human behaviour. The key is to get them working for the change you want to see, not against it! The main variable of success or failure of a change initiative is not which force of influence you choose. By far, the more important factor is how many forces of influence you master.
The six forces of influence are drawn from Influencer: The Power to Change Anything by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler.
Takeaway: Sustainable change requires a holistic approach, addressing not just skills and motivation but also culture and environment.
Audience Contributions and Insights
The interactive nature of the event encouraged participants to share their experiences and challenges. Key contributions included:
Building AI confidence: A participant shared how empowering teams with practical AI applications, like Microsoft Copilot, led to increased productivity and enthusiasm.
Move from ad hoc to strategic and intentional use of AI: Attendees noted the importance of simplifying communication about complex tools to reduce overwhelm.
Future-proofing organisations: Leaders discussed strategies for workforce planning in a world where roles are increasingly augmented by AI.
Looking Ahead: practical steps for agility
In closing, Martin left attendees with actionable steps to foster agility within their teams and organisations:
- Audit and strengthen the six influences: Regularly assess and optimise Motivation, Ability, Tribe, Example, Reward, and Space to drive adaptability and performance.
- Embed learning into daily work: Integrate continuous learning and skill development into everyday routines to strengthen Ability and sustain Motivation for change.
- Create distraction-free zones: Design physical and digital environments (Space) that minimise distractions and support deep focus and agile thinking.
Achieve and maintain The Agility Advantage in your business with Power Up
Inspired by the insights shared at The Agility Advantage? Take the next step in driving change and building adaptable teams by booking a complimentary power up session for your team. This workshop shares insights from our flagship Power Up programme which helps individuals develop the clarity, confidence, and resilience to navigate change and sustain high performance in any environment using 7 Natural Powers.
This is a limited time offer, so book your workshop today.
Why Power Up?
- Accelerate Change Adoption: Utilise neuroscience insights to help teams quickly adapt to new technologies and processes.
- Increase Buy-In for Change Programmes: Foster greater willingness and enthusiasm across teams to engage with and support change initiatives.
- Build Resilient Teams: Equip your people with the tools to perform under pressure and recover effectively from setbacks.
- Drive Growth and Innovation: Enable teams to embrace new ways of working, fostering creativity and maintaining a competitive edge.
- Enhance Leadership Effectiveness: Develop future-ready leaders equipped to inspire agility and navigate complexity in today’s fast-changing world.
- Improve Employee Engagement: Create an environment where employees feel empowered to contribute and align with organisational goals.
Visit The Agility Advantage Workshop Offer to secure your place.
Don’t miss this opportunity to empower your team and lead with confidence in a fast-evolving workplace.
