The techniques used by leaders has changed over the past half century. Gone are the days when one ruled with an iron fist. Even in the military we have seen the changes in how the troops are managed. Our society is different in today’s world and with that change has come the need for leaders to utilize the adaptive leadership style.
Today’s leader must be ready at all times for the changes that will inevitably come. Much like the military, today’s leader must learn how to mobilize the troops so that they are ready to tackle any of the challenges that they will face. The important way to do this is to try and create a personal connection with your followers (Useem, 2010). By getting to know your followers you begin to build the critical relationship of trust. Without trust the leader will have a difficult time motivating the followers and mobilizing them. When followers are in an uncertain situation, they look to the leader that they trust to get them out safely with the least loss.
Next the leader needs to make good decisions (Useem, 2010). This will tie into the adaptive leadership of “getting on the balcony.” (Northouse, 2016) Many times leaders need to set a plan in motion, but then step back and review what is happening thus far to see if they are heading in the right direction or things need to be shifted in one direction or another. A wise leader will be willing to change their mind in the event that something is not working as expected therefore changing course to try and get back on target. It is the responsibility of the leader to identify the adaptive challenges that the group is facing. These adaptive challenges are not easily navigated and have no clear decision for resolution. Not everyone may be on-board with the path that the group is choosing, but they can only trust in their leader and make changes along the way. In the Marine dictum there is the belief that when you are 70% ready and have 70% consensus, then act and not waiting for perfection. This is not a strict measure but more of a metaphor (Useem, 2010).
After the decision has been made to act the leader must keep the followers focused on the mission (Useem, 2010). In order to do this the leader must help the followers to maintain disciplined attention (Northouse, 2016). The leader is there to encourage, motivate, organize, orient and keep the followers focused on what is important. Followers might be asked to go into uncomfortable situations, much like when soldiers go into theater (foreign locations). They might begin to resist these changes and attempt to avoid the situation. The adaptive leader will help to support those with concerns and to refocus them on the task at hand. Many people work within a team environment and must look to each other to complete the task necessary, so it is important for the adaptive leader to create a safe environment and ensure that issues are dealt with so that no divide is created amongst the followers.
Lastly, the leader should make the objective clear avoid micromanaging when possible (Useem, 2010). This is an example of “giving work back to the people” behavior of an adaptive leader (Northouse, 2016). The followers want direction, structure, and security in their work, however most followers (including myself) do not want a leader who is looking over their shoulder constantly and telling them what to do. The leader will need to balance that fine line of empowering the followers to do their work, but also to ensure that the direction is maintained so that work is being completed.
I believe that many of us can relate at one time or another a situation in which we had to adapt and change in order to get something completed, even when dealing with homework. There are times when we face technical challenges which we are solved easily with the current skills or techniques that one has in their tool belt, but at time we face uncertainty and must deal with an adaptive challenge. When that time comes, hopefully you will be (or you will have) the leader who is able to be there for the followers to motivate and mobilize them into action.
I did not use this video in my sources, but thought it was a nice overview of an adaptive leader in today’s corporate world.
Works Cited
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.
Useem, M. (2010, Nov). Four Lessons in Adaptive Leadership. Retrieved from hbr.org: https://hbr.org/2010/11/four-lessons-in-adaptive-leadership/ar/1