I remember my first job interview after graduation, and I was asked how structured I was, how dedicated I was. It was then a good thing. So why does it feel now like an impediment to Agile and growth mindset? Is structure incompatible with Agile and change mangement?
Spoiler alert, it is not. But, I might be mistaken! Anyhow, let's start with the definition av change management: It is a structured approach to shifting/transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations from a current state to a desired future state. Structure is present.
Next: What about the years spent at the university? Despite the knowledge you gained, it provides you with responsability, people skills, budgeting, how to overcome obstacles, organisation and time management. Some might say, you need some structure.
Last but not least: The Navy seals teams and their practices. They risk everything. To achieve performance, they have extensive training and a structured approach in order to be highly adaptive. Success on any battlefield requires effective strategic planning, leadership, execution and debriefing. By doing so, they learn to tackle unpredictable events and to respond effectively to fast-changing environmental contingencies. Structure is safety, embrace uncertainty and learn.
The basic takeaway here is: Structure does not entail that agile processes have no structure whatsoever, or that structured processes are completely inflexible. Process transforms mindset and culture toward high-performance and continual improvement. Be prepared, be smart, be adaptable, be agile...
So, go after it!