How can Servant Leaders develop adaptability in their career?

?? Embrace adaptability for impactful servant leadership! - ?? I'd begin by reassessing personal mindsets about change and growth, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. - ?? Embrace diverse perspectives and actively seek feedback for continuous learning. - ?? Prioritize self-care to maintain resilience and effectiveness as a leader. - ?? Lead by example, showcasing adaptability in decision-making and communication. - ?? Foster a culture that values learning, agility, and excellence within the team. - ?? Encourage creativity and innovation, providing autonomy and supporting skill development. - ?? Adapt to changes proactively, using them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

In my experience, I have found it to be essential to first become aware of your current mindset and be open to change. Embrace challenges as opportunities for personal growth and view obstacles as chances to learn and improve. Embrace the idea that effort is a key factor in achieving success and that setbacks should be seen as valuable learning experiences. Seek out constructive feedback, value persistence, and cultivate a love for learning as a lifelong journey. Practice self-compassion, treating yourself kindly even when facing setbacks. By consistently applying these principles, you can cultivate and maintain a growth mindset, which can positively impact your personal and professional development.

I'm afraid many people assume a Servant Leader will not have initiative because they are serving others. However, that is not the case. Even as a servant leader, set goals, have a development plan, a growth mindset, and determine how you want your career to go. The most important step is as you are achieving your goals, how can you give back to others to grow them with you. You go from A to B to C and help the next person go from A to B. Learn from mistakes and challenges, then share those and be transparent with your followers. You grow, and they grow. That is the mindset of a Servant Leader.

A personal example from me early in my career is that I always asked questions about anything I did not understand. Find someone willing to answer to show you and learn from them. By doing this, you learn gaps in your knowledge or skillset. I also would read material related to my industry in some free/spare time. Again, I was curious and filling in the gaps I could. Over time, this type of curious behavior to learn what you currently do not know will set you apart in your career!

I have found that embracing uncertainty as a servant leader is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, in a rapidly changing world, uncertainty is a constant. When a leader acknowledges and accepts this, they are better equipped to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, make informed decisions, and guide their team effectively. To add, embracing uncertainty fosters an environment of trust and psychological safety among team members. When leaders openly acknowledge that they don't have all the answers, it encourages team members to share their insights and take ownership of solutions. This collaborative approach can lead to better problem-solving and innovative ideas.

The most powerful learning interventions I have ever facilitated for emerging leaders are 360 assessments. When individuals receive the gift of candid anonymized performance feedback from their supervisors, their peers, and their direct reports and compare it to their perceptions of their own behavior, it is a powerful "a-ha" moment. Being genuinely curious to learning how others view your leadership sets a tone for a feedback culture. It also inevitably provides insight not only to opportunities to grow as a leader, but often for high performers a realization as to the positive impact they are already having.

During my military service, I learned that seeking feedback is crucial part of leadership. First and foremost, it promotes open communication and fosters a culture of trust and transparency within the team. By actively seeking feedback, a leader signals to their team that their opinions and perspectives are valued, creating an environment where team members feel safe to express their thoughts and concerns. Secondly, feedback provides valuable insights into the leader's own performance and behavior, enabling them to self-reflect and make improvements. It helps in identifying blind spots and areas for growth, ultimately allowing the leader to be more effective in serving their team.

To develop adaptability as a Leader, here are a few pointers; - Be open to new learnings - don't panic in case things didn't go as planned, dig deeper to find the reason and learn from mistake - ask questions, challenge yourself - get yourself a mentor - be creative - be receptive to change - if situation demands or changes, shift your priorities - keep patience and be always positive