Nneka Rimmer

Over the past decade, student enrollment has declined in many of the largest urban school districts in the U.S. Many of these districts have responded with more and better learning opportunities, expecting that the students would return. Yet year to year, enrollment is not something that school districts can easily control. And as it continues to decline, districts are struggling to reduce their costs in proportion to the amount of lost revenue, often taking actions that work against their… Show more

Over the past decade, student enrollment has declined in many of the largest urban school districts in the U.S. Many of these districts have responded with more and better learning opportunities, expecting that the students would return. Yet year to year, enrollment is not something that school districts can easily control. And as it continues to decline, districts are struggling to reduce their costs in proportion to the amount of lost revenue, often taking actions that work against their aspirations for improved student achievement. A lack of advance planning and complex cost structures have resulted in districts making last-minute cuts that eliminate the jobs of effective teachers and indiscriminately raise class sizes, negatively impacting student learning.

This cycle of crisis need not continue, however. As we discuss in this report, by taking the right actions and following a disciplined approach, districts can manage their costs in a way that minimizes the impact on the classroom. In a world where declining enrollment is a reality for many districts, this could be the difference between the nation continuing to make strides in education and seeing the current momentum wane. Show less

In a volatile, uncertain, and globally distributed business environment, executives are finding it harder than ever to keep up. Consider the following trends:
- Turbulence has undermined the effectiveness of long-range forecasting and traditional strategic planning in many industries.
- Companies are increasingly organized into interdependent, multicompany ecosystems.
- The pervasiveness and economics of the digital world have made every business an information… Show more

In a volatile, uncertain, and globally distributed business environment, executives are finding it harder than ever to keep up. Consider the following trends:
- Turbulence has undermined the effectiveness of long-range forecasting and traditional strategic planning in many industries.
- Companies are increasingly organized into interdependent, multicompany ecosystems.
- The pervasiveness and economics of the digital world have made every business an information business.
- The nature of competition has become more diverse, with some environments that are mature and predictable and others highly changeable.
- Leaders face new expectations from their more diverse, multigenerational workforces.

A leader cannot single-handedly manage such conditions. Leadership at the top is now a team effort. As we detailed in an earlier article, “The Five Traits of Highly Adaptive Leadership Teams,” top teams must be more than just high performing. They also need to adapt and thrive, regardless of the turbulence they face.

A new BCG study has explored how adaptive teams remain nimble in the face of rapid change. This Focus report explores our findings in more detail and digs deeper into the practices and philosophies behind the five traits to learn what differentiates the adaptive leadership teams that win consistently in the marketplace from their average-performing counterparts.
Show less

In a volatile and uncertain business environment, top teams must be more than just high-performing. They also need to adapt and thrive, regardless of the turbulence they face.

BCG surveyed a carefully selected sample of companies to discern what the most adaptive leadership teams do differently or better than those teams that deliver average or substandard results.

BCG’s research reaffirmed that the basics of effective teamwork still apply. The survey also showed that adaptive… Show more

In a volatile and uncertain business environment, top teams must be more than just high-performing. They also need to adapt and thrive, regardless of the turbulence they face.

BCG surveyed a carefully selected sample of companies to discern what the most adaptive leadership teams do differently or better than those teams that deliver average or substandard results.

BCG’s research reaffirmed that the basics of effective teamwork still apply. The survey also showed that adaptive leadership teams have five added traits—the “special sauce,” so to speak—that fuel high performance. Show less