In the latest episode of Illuminating Insights, host Trisha Hall is joined by longtime colleagues and business agility experts Bryan Tew and Samar Elatta Sokolski as they explore the evolution of enterprise business agility and its impact on today’s fast-moving organizations. With over two decades of experience in the Agile space, Bryan and Samar share practical wisdom on what it takes to scale agility beyond teams—and into the fabric of the enterprise.
This conversation uncovers why business agility is no longer optional, but essential, for organizations seeking to thrive in a world of constant change. Below are key insights from the episode.
The Birth of Enterprise Business Agility
The conversation kicks off with a look into how enterprise business agility (EBA) emerged. Many organizations found themselves limited by team-level agile transformations, struggling with prioritization, portfolio visibility, and cross-functional alignment. To address these gaps, leaders began building frameworks for agility at scale.
Bryan reflects on his own journey, recalling how his organization introduced five focus areas to guide their transformation: product delivery, portfolio management, agile transformation, tools enablement, and innovation. This structured approach became the springboard for a broader EBA strategy.
Agile vs. Agility: What’s the Difference?
Samar provides a critical distinction: agile is a methodology; agility is an organizational capability. While agile practices improve how teams work, business agility is about aligning strategy, execution, and innovation across the enterprise.
She explains how agility enables organizations to respond quickly to market shifts, drive cross-functional collaboration, and continuously adapt in a way that traditional agile implementations may not.
Real-World Wins: Agility in Action
Both Bryan and Samar share compelling success stories. Bryan spotlights how aligning leadership strategies with delivery teams has transformed organizations in sectors like finance and telecom—unlocking faster value delivery and more predictable outcomes.
Samar highlights work in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, where a national health organization implemented an Enterprise Visibility Room—a central hub that connects executive strategy with on-the-ground team execution. This model has helped bridge the gap between innovation and operations.
The Secret to Success: Strategic Alignment
A recurring theme is the need for strategic alignment—from executive goals to portfolio and delivery execution. Bryan and Samar emphasize that when teams are aligned to measurable business outcomes and leaders focus on value delivery, innovation flourishes.
They also underscore the importance of metrics. Measuring the right things—whether it's OKRs, velocity, or business outcomes—ensures accountability and promotes a performance-driven culture.
Final Thoughts: Leading with Intentional Agility
As the episode wraps, both guests leave listeners with actionable advice. Bryan encourages organizations to use the seven pillars of business agility to identify gaps and guide transformation. Samar stresses the importance of intentional measurement—linking what you track to how your culture and behaviors evolve.
This episode serves as a powerful playbook for any organization looking to scale agility beyond the team level. With the right strategy, alignment, and tools in place, agility becomes more than a buzzword—it becomes a competitive advantage.
🎧 Ready to dive in? Listen to the full episode below and subscribe to Illuminating Insights for more conversations on innovation, agility, and leadership.
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