The Mindsets
4. Change is my business
Leadership behavior: Being adaptable
A great leader isn’t satisfied with “good enough.”
In an ever-changing environment, a leader needs to adapt in turn. That means accepting that what we know and trust today is likely to change faster than we can plan. But we can be better prepared if we anticipate changes on the horizon, proactively develop new skills in both ourselves and our team, and avoid the trap of outdated habits or methodologies — even if they “work just fine”.
By remaining open to new ways of working, seeking to understand what is needed and helping others understand why, we can be agile and adaptive leaders and learners, who take change in stride and bring others along on the journey.
What it looks like
- Continuously seeks opportunities for improvement
- Able to anticipate and respond quickly to changing conditions
- Drives effectively a change agenda and brings their team along on the journey
- Fosters creativity and learning.
Self-reflection
- Am I certain that others feel comfortable coming to me with new ideas?
- How do I motivate others to embrace change?
- Do I actively anticipate change or go with the flow? How?
- How often do I take active steps to improve my own skills or the skills of my team?
- How do I convey to my team an openness to new ideas, experiences, or opportunities?