Natasha Cox is the CEO and owner of Avani Services.
There’s a Hindi word I love: jugaad. It doesn’t translate perfectly into English, but it could be described as “the art of figuring it out with what you’ve got.” It’s more than just a problem-solving technique—it’s a way of life in India, where finding a solution matters more than the tools you have to solve it.
In business, jugaad shows up when the stakes are high, the budget is nonexistent and the deadline was yesterday. It’s not about having the perfect plan or endless resources—it’s about finding a way forward with what’s in front of you right now.
Why Resourcefulness Beats Perfection
As leaders, we often find ourselves striving for perfection: the perfect strategy, the perfect pitch, the perfect execution. But perfection is fragile. It assumes ideal conditions and everything going according to plan. And let’s be real, when does life ever go exactly as planned?
Innovation thrives in the chaos—in the moments when plans fall apart and you’re left with nothing but your wits and the determination to figure it out. That’s where jugaad comes into play, shifting the question from “what’s missing?” to “what’s possible?” It’s about seeing obstacles as opportunities and thinking outside the box—or, better yet, cutting up the box and using it to MacGyver your way out of a jam.
Take Airbnb, for example. Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia didn’t start with venture capital or even a clear business model. They simply needed a way to pay their rent. Using what they had—a small apartment and a few air mattresses—they offered short-term stays during a sold-out conference in San Francisco. What began as a scrappy solution to a personal problem turned into a multi-billion-dollar global platform. Jugaad!
5 Ways To Integrate Jugaad In Leadership
Leadership isn’t about always having the answers; it’s about being willing to figure it out, adapt and keep moving forward. Here’s how you can channel the magic of jugaad into your leadership:
1. Reframe challenges as opportunities.
When faced with a problem, ask yourself: What can I do with what’s in front of me? Instead of focusing on what’s missing, focus on what’s possible.
2. Turn constraints into catalysts.
Constraints aren’t your enemy—they’re a catalyst for innovation. Create a culture where your team feels empowered to experiment and innovate.
3. Embrace imperfection.
Waiting for the perfect solution? You might be waiting forever. Start small, adapt as you go and remember that progress beats perfection every time.
4. Master the art of the pivot.
Adaptability is key. Empower your team to embrace change and shift gears quickly when plans go off track.
5. Celebrate ingenuity.
When someone on your team comes up with a scrappy, creative solution, celebrate it. Let resourcefulness be a core value of your team culture.
Sometimes life throws you a curveball—or a series of fastballs, sinkers and maybe even a rogue Frisbee! It’s in those moments when plans go off the rails, the ability to figure it out as you go becomes your greatest superpower. That’s where the magic happens. That’s jugaad.
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