Are You a Flexible Leader? Navigating the Art of Adaptive Leadership by Casey Reason, Ph.D.
Flexibility isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the secret sauce that separates exceptional leaders from the rest.? It is a part of their stylistic imperative, and it’s required more than ever today. Flexibility?is crucial for athletes because it enhances performance, reduces the risk of injury, and promotes overall well-being. Flexible muscles and joints allow athletes to move freely, enhancing agility, balance, and range of motion. Whether it’s a gymnast executing a split or a soccer player dodging opponents, flexibility contributes to optimal athletic performance. Healthy leadership practice is likewise flexible. Let’s explore the five signs of inflexibility and then practical steps to enhance your leadership agility.
- Rigidity in Routine: Inflexible leaders cling to routines like a security blanket. They resist change, even when it’s necessary. If your leadership style resembles a well-worn path, it’s time to reassess. Break your routine, just to break this pattern!
- Fear of Deviation: Leaders who fear straying from the beaten path limit their team’s potential. If you find yourself saying, “But this is how we’ve always done it,” beware. Innovation thrives on flexibility.? Furthermore, if you hear the aforementioned phrase, it’s a sign you might be stuck, or are in danger of being so.? Cliche incoming --- but nothing stays the same.
- Resistance to Feedback: Inflexible leaders deflect feedback. They view it as a threat rather than an opportunity for growth. If you’re impervious to input, your leadership might be rigid. If you are uncomfortable getting feedback on your performance, imagine yourself as more powerful and confident and able to take what you were told and simply make that powerful and confident person even better.
- One-Size-Fits-All Approach: Leaders who apply the same playbook to every situation lack adaptability. Context matters. If you’re inflexible in adjusting your approach, you risk missing the mark. When leading training I'm always encouraging leaders to listen carefully and gather tools to be used later.? You never know just when key insight you have made could be applied, leading to resolution.
- Refusal to Delegate: Inflexible leaders hoard tasks. They believe no one can do it better. But effective delegation requires trust and openness. If you’re a control freak, flexibility eludes you.
- Stay Calm: Fear is the mind-killer, as Frank Herbert wrote in?Dune. Fear freezes us, hindering intelligent action. Cultivate habits like daily meditation and gratitude journaling to stay centered. Share details with your team during changes—knowledge dispels fear.? Finally, breathe. Take a deep breath before a challenging meeting, or a difficult conversation.? Your energy will be shared. So, bring your best.
- Act from Your Values: Values guide behavior. Well-formed values act as a compass. Reiterate them to your team. Flexibility means aligning actions with purpose. Teach your team the company’s values—they’ll weather change better.
- Continually Reopen Your Mind: Consider multiple options. The more perspectives you explore, the more flexible you become. View complex situations from different angles. Flexibility lies in openness.? Also, even if you have a good solution, listen to other options. Optionality helps you continue to evaluate your position.? The more you know, the more variables you have to support or negate any position you might hold.
- Just like a physical flexibility routine, start slow and small if you must:? Some athletes are born flexible. It's easy for them to get into a flexibility routine. Others have to start slow and work into it with time spent on stabilizing. You have to judge your own ability to be flexible, but if this is something you think you might struggle with, start with smaller decisions. If a coworker wants to deviate from a process and it is extremely low risk and has the potential for producing some new, diametric perspective, let it happen. Resist the temptation to perhaps insert an unnecessary amount of control, and simply be flexible.
Conclusion: Tune Your Leadership Sweet Range
Leaders, flexibility isn’t a weakness—it’s your superpower. As the world shifts, orchestrate success by harmonizing with change. Remember, leadership isn’t a solo; it’s a symphony. ????
