Blending Structure and Agility: Leadership Lessons from the PROSCI® 2×2 Matrix
As leaders, we know change is a constant. Are we sticking rigidly to frameworks, or are we relying solely on our instincts to sense and respond? As a Change Management Strategist in Australia, I’ve worked in high-stakes transformation roles across multiple sectors. I’ve wrestled with this myself in high-stakes transformation roles, and I understand why it’s tempting—it feels neat and clear. Yet, “how often do we fall into the trap of “either/or” thinking?”, as Tim Creasey, of PROSCI® highlighted recently, reality is rarely black and white.
The most effective executive leaders I’ve encountered—whether in Australia or on the global stage—don’t operate in isolation. They find a way to integrate frameworks, and agility and keeping people at the centre. This is a leadership mindset I’ve embraced throughout my career as a transformation specialist and senior change leader across sectors like government, not-for-profit, consulting, and private enterprise.
The PROSCI® 2×2 Matrix: Leadership in Action
When looking for a trusted Change Management Strategist in Australia, consider the insights the PROSCI® matrix outlines four approaches to managing change:
- Haphazard Hustlers: High energy and improvisation, but lacking frameworks. Outcomes are often unpredictable.
- Reactive Renegades: Agile and responsive, but without frameworks, they risk addressing only short-term problems.
- Methodical Mechanics: Process-driven, with strong frameworks. However, flexibility is a challenge when unexpected issues arise.
- Adaptive Architects: Combining structured frameworks with sensing/responding capabilities. This is the ideal balance—offering stability while adjusting to changing circumstances.
When I reflect on this model, it’s clear to me where I fit: the Adaptive Architect—a blend of structure and agility that aligns perfectly with the demands of modern leadership and complex organisational transformation.
How Adaptive Leadership Looks in Practice
Looking back, my career as an executive leader in the not-for-profit sector has been a series of opportunities to balance structure and adaptability, delivering transformation that lasts. As an executive coach and consultant to industries including mining, health, aged care, tourism and finance this was a commercial imperative. It’s certainly a prerequisite as a Change Management Strategist in Australia where we have a relatively small workforce by international standards and a low tolerance of theory that doesn’t translate well at the frontline of day-to-day life at work.
We have to be adaptive.
Case Study: Integrating Frameworks and Agility | Federal Government – CSIRO
Take my leadership at CSIRO, one of Australia’s most iconic federal government organisations. Leading a multi-year ERP SAP transformation, impacting 8,000 employees and 8,800 suppliers, I relied on structured change management frameworks like PROSCI® ADKAR® to plan and execute effectively. But when challenges arose—like extensive customisation issues—I adapted timelines and strategies to meet CFO requirements and immediate team readiness.
The result?
With the training effectively designed and implemented, the entire team collaborated to gather feedback from multiple channels, respond promptly, and analyse metrics. This approach ensured that the post-go-live system and implementation review processes occurred seamlessly and in parallel.
The outcome was a significant improvement in financial literacy and a deeper understanding of the procurement and payment lifecycle. These advances were observed across 34 business units, particularly among early adopters.
The outcome:
While the tough decision was made to revert to the previous decision, we had achieved an increase in change maturity and a powerful level of buy-in that informed final decision-making.
In my work as a Change Management Strategist in Australia, I work with organisations to navigate complex transformations and build individual and corporate agility.
Case Study: Integrating Frameworks and Agility | Local Government – City of Gold Coast
Between 2019 – 2022 I worked full-time with Council of City of Gold Coast, Australia’s sixth-largest local government. There, I led the creation of a People Change Champion Network, which uplifted organisational change capability by 95% amongst 106 participants. PROSCI® provided the foundation, but listening to real-time feedback from team members allowed us to understand impediments to successful change, tweak training and engagement strategies. This responsiveness ensured sustainable success across the organisation, underpinning individual growth and career progression.
Case Study: Integrating Frameworks and Agility | Self-Employed Consultant
As a consultant and entrepreneurial leader, these skills form the foundation of running our company. In my role as a Change Management Strategist in Australia, I empower leaders through methodologies such as Executive Coach, Educator and Conference Speaker. Success in these areas demands the ability to ‘read the room,’ adapt your pacing, and adjust your approach. These skills are essential to effectively support and achieve the mission at hand.
How Strengths Align with Adaptive Architecture
CliftonStrengths: A Personal Perspective Change Management Strategist in Australia
My top CliftonStrengths Finder results align perfectly with this quadrant and underscore why I operate in the Adaptive Architect quadrant as an Executive in Corporate Services and Change Management Strategist in Australia:
- Strategic (#1): I identify patterns and focus on what matters most in complex environments.
- Maximiser (#2): I elevate frameworks and tools, refining them for the highest level of effectiveness.
- Individualisation (#3): I tailor solutions to meet the specific needs of individuals and teams.
- Relator (#4): I build trust and strong relationships, ensuring collaboration and lasting outcomes.
- Connectedness (#5): I see interdependencies across systems and teams, ensuring strategies stay aligned with broader goals.
Take a closer look at my CliftonStrengths results below:
Source: Tarran Deane, GradDip. Strategic Leadership, PROSCI® Enterprise Change Manager, Executive, Transformation Specialist, Senior Change Leader.
Leadership Lessons for Corporate Services and Beyond
Leadership in roles like Director Corporate Services—or any high-stakes, mission-critical environment—requires this balance of structure and agility.
In the fast-paced world of legal aid or corporate services in Australia, where compliance, resource allocation, and service excellence converge, the Adaptive Architect mindset ensures organisations remain resilient and effective. It allows leaders to optimise resources, empower teams, and remain responsive to the evolving needs of clients and stakeholders.
Source: PROSCI®—Change Management Approaches for Blending Structure and Responsiveness.
As this matrix illustrates, the Adaptive Architect approach balances frameworks with real-time adaptability, which is critical for leaders managing complex organisational landscapes. This mindset has been a cornerstone of my leadership journey, from startups to executive roles in the not-for-profit sector to transforming procurement and payment processes at CSIRO and driving cultural change capability at the City of Gold Coast.
Where Do You See Yourself on the Matrix?
The PROSCI® 2×2 matrix is a simple but thought-provoking tool for self-reflection. Are you more of a Methodical Mechanic, a Reactive Renegade, or perhaps on the way to becoming an Adaptive Architect?
For me, the Adaptive Architect approach has shaped how I lead, influence, and deliver outcomes. What about you? I’d love to hear your reflections. Let’s start a conversation below.
Call-to-Action
Are you ready to embrace the Adaptive Architect mindset in your leadership and organisation? Let’s connect to discuss how structured agility can transform your approach to change and impact. Reach out below.
About Tarran Deane | Change Management Strategist in Australia
Tarran Deane is a Change Management Specialist in Australia – Expert Leadership & Transformation Senior Advisor, renowned for helping organisations navigate complex transformations with structured planning, practical execution, and a touch of humour. Based on the Gold Coast, she partners with organisations across Brisbane, Northern New South Wales, and Canberra, bringing over 21 years of expertise in driving meaningful, measurable change.
As a PROSCI® enterprise certified practitioner and transformation specialist, Tarran works with leaders in the Public Sector, Finance, Tourism, Health and Not-for-Profit Disability, Aged Care, and Community Services industries. She is passionate about building organisational agility, empowering leaders to eliminate fear, embrace sustainable change, and delivering outcomes that align with long-term goals.
Through a select number of engagements, Tarran delivers:
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Change Management Consulting and contract engagements, typically spanning 1-3 years, focused on achieving long-term transformation goals.
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Executive Coaching for C-suite and senior leaders,
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Customised Training Programs designed to uplift change capability, and
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Keynote Speaking Presentations that inspire and inform audiences.
When she’s not consulting or facilitating, you’ll find Tarran cornering through the scenic hills of Southeast Queensland and Northern NSW on her Ducati 800 Monster motorcycle, spending time with family and friends, or cheering for her favourite riders during the MotoGP season on Kayo.
Connect with Tarran today at TarranDeane.com or on LinkedIn @TarranDeane to explore how she can support your organisation’s transformation journey.