Think about the two words here. Adaptive: the ability to make suitable requirements or conditions; adjust or modify fittingly. Leadership: person who guides or directs a group. Put these two together. Someone who guides others through their ability to adjust or modify fittingly to the situations. Why is this important? Businesses are constantly changing with their respective fields so it’s vital to have leaders that can do the same. They should also be able to somewhat predict challenges that may arise, what risks are worth taking and they are open to constructive feedback. Adaptive leaders embody the 4 A’s:
1. Anticipation of future needs and trends
2. Articulation of needs to get support and action from business
3. Adaptation for constant learning and adjust when needed
4. Accountability of their actions and willingness to take on challenges
COVID 19 really brought out the adaptive leaders in the world. Those that were able to take on this massive change that went worldwide and still keep their businesses thriving understand how to be an adaptive leader on a deeper level. They embody certain unique traits.
1. Emotional intelligence
2. Organizational justice
3. Development
4. Character
As with any style of leadership there are some pros and cons. Some pros are that change is anticipated, welcomed, all opinions are considered and the team’s strengths are effectively applied. Some cons are that there is a heavy emphasis on rules or structure and decisions can be made more hastily. With this style of leadership solutions to challenges within the company may take more time than a single decision. That being said, we really like the concept of adaptive leadership.
