Ambidexterity –
Leadership of the future:
Discover the art of ambidextrous leadership and how to master the balance between efficiency and innovation.
Am-bi-dex-ter-ity
/Ambidexterity/
Noun, feminine [die]
Ambidexterity refers to the ability to ensure stability and flexibility at the same time – a key to long-term success. Christian Schwedler supports companies in mastering both sides of leadership.
Why ambidexterity is crucial in modern leadership
Efficiency vs. innovation - a balancing act
Companies find it difficult to find a balance between efficiency and innovation.
Day-to-day business vs. transformation
Managers are faced with the challenge of reconciling day-to-day business and transformation.
Lack of balance
A lack of balance can either lead to stagnation and low future viability or, on the other hand, to inefficient processes and risks in the core business.
Conflicts and tensions
If there is a lack of tolerance for ambiguity, the sometimes contradictory approaches and objectives of the two modes ("the two hands") can lead to tensions and conflicts.
Enabling innovation
Innovations often fail due to the lack of a "second hand", due to the overemphasis on stability, security and efficiency.
How Christian Schwedler helps companies achieve ambidextrous leadership
Designing and leading customized workshops and keynotes, Christian Schwedler supports companies to strengthen both sides of leadership.
Ambidexterity in action: success stories,
that make the difference
"The managers at TARGOBANK have dealt with the competence "Entrepreneurship". Christian managed to provide concrete starting points with the image of ambidexterity in "red and blue worlds"! Thank you"
Head of Brand Management & Brand Communication TARGOBANK
"Christian is inspiring and simply a top expert on the subject of ambidexterity. His canvas gets to the heart of the starting points and challenges very well and therefore provides a good tool."
Leadership Academy of the Federal Employment Agency
"Christian manages to put his finger in the ambidexterity wound and at the same time show inspiring solutions. Thank you very much for the valuable impulse!"
Innovation & Data Science business area, EWE
"Christian's keynote on ambidexterity showed us all what modern IT should look like. Not slow or fast, not good or bad, but constantly adapting IT as the powerhouse of the company."
CIO, HAUFE
"Christian Schwedler gave a keynote speech at our Kick-Off 2023, which was streamed live from the studio. It was a great way to start the event. Vivid examples helped our employees understand the topic of ambidexterity. The exciting dramaturgy of the keynote inspired everyone."
Authorized signatory, WipflerPLAN mbH
The leading bestseller on ambidexterity
Ready to master the business balancing act?
Traditional management styles often focus either on stability or on innovation and change.
Ambidextrous leadership, on the other hand, combines both aspects at the same time: one “hand” stands for efficiency and safeguarding day-to-day business (tends to be closed, transactional leadership). In contrast, the other “hand” stands for innovation and future-oriented change (transformational leadership). This acid test and the associated “egg-laying wool-milk sow” is not a sure-fire success. Tried and tested methods and measures make it possible to master the balancing act.
Frequently asked questions about ambidexterity
What is ambidexterity and why is it important for companies?
Ambidexterity describes the ability to simultaneously establish efficient processes and promote innovative change. Companies that successfully combine both aspects can maintain stable operations while adapting to dynamic market demands. In an increasingly complex business world, ambidexterity is the key to remaining flexible and competitive. This ability helps companies to find the balance between tradition and progress and thus be successful in the long term.
How does ambidextrous leadership differ from traditional leadership styles?
Traditional leadership styles often focus on either stability or innovation. Ambidextrous leadership, on the other hand, combines both aspects simultaneously: the left “hand” stands for efficiency and day-to-day operations, while the right “hand” stands for innovation and future-oriented change. This approach enables leaders to both ensure the continuous optimization of processes and create space for new ideas and transformation – a combination that is crucial for long-term success.
What are the advantages of working with Christian Schwedler?
Christian Schwedler is the leading expert on ambidextrous leadership in the D.A.CH region. As a sought-after thought leader on ambidexterity, he is a regular guest at leading congresses, leading media such as Wirtschaftswoche, in podcasts and specialist magazines.
How can my company benefit from ambidexterity?
A company that integrates ambidexterity into its management is better positioned to respond to market changes without losing its operational efficiency. Christian Schwedler helps you to create the structures that both strengthen the efficiency of day-to-day business and promote innovative projects. The benefits for your company are increased competitiveness, greater potential for innovation and a stable basis on which growth can be sustained.
Ambidexterity as a success factor:
A deep insight
Ambidexterity is a key success factor for modern companies. In an increasingly dynamic and complex business world, the ability to ensure both stability and transformation is of central importance. This so-called ambidextrous leadership enables companies to design existing processes efficiently and at the same time promote innovative developments. Christian Schwedler, a renowned expert in ambidexterity, supports companies in achieving this challenging balance.
Ambidexterity allows companies to combine the best of both worlds: optimizing day-to-day business and promoting innovation. Traditional companies often struggle to find a clear demarcation between stable processes and the need for transformation. This is where ambidextrous leadership comes into play, which Christian Schwedler successfully teaches in the D.A.CH region. He shows how companies can increase their efficiency and at the same time promote the drive for innovation without compromising operational stability.
Ambidexterity not only helps companies to remain competitive, but also ensures sustainable corporate development. The balancing act between optimizing existing processes and developing new ideas can be difficult, but ambidextrous leadership gives managers the tools they need to overcome these challenges. Working with Christian Schwedler offers companies the opportunity to benefit from his many years of experience and in-depth knowledge in the areas of transformation and stability.
Ambidexterity means finding the balance between tradition and innovation. Companies that are able to work efficiently and react flexibly to market changes at the same time are more successful in the long term. With the help of Christian Schwedler’s workshops and keynotes, management teams can learn how to drive sustainable transformation without jeopardizing the efficiency of their existing processes. This ambidextrous leadership leads to increased competitiveness, higher innovation potential and a stable foundation on which future growth can be built.
Ambidextrie Canvas – The Magic Triangle
I have developed a simple, abstract model called the Magic Triangle to provide managers and organizational developers with a tool and orientation aid. The model is based on the geometric figure of the triangle, which symbolizes a hierarchical organizational structure. Four basic success principles of ambidexterity describe the model, the so-called four “A’s”:
Ambition is the company-wide understanding, the shared motivation for ambidexterity. This also includes supporting and mandating the company management.
Autonomy: Highly innovative projects must be separated from the core business so that these teams can develop their own (agile) way of working. The so-called Explore teams need their own KPIs, their own funding and their own methodology. As a rule, this is not a spin-off, but rather independent teams within the core organization.
Assets: The Explore projects are dependent on the support of the core business. This includes financing, expertise and know-how, access to existing customers and support from specialist departments such as Purchasing, Legal and HR.
Ambiguity: The cooperation between the two “worlds” of Exploit (core business) and Explore can cause friction and acceptance problems. Ambiguity tolerance is required, i.e. the ability to deal with ambiguities and contradictions.
