So, why is being a flexible leader so important? The adage “adapt or die” rings more accurate than ever, especially for leaders. Today, leaders must be more flexible and adaptable than ever to navigate the kinds of stormy environments and murky uncertainties businesses face today. Since the pandemic, the nature of work has changed in many ways. In response to this new reality, leaders must rethink how they lead. Fortunately, we can follow principles that help us lead more effectively. One of the most essential principles of effective leadership is “Be flexible, yet persistent.” Our first reaction may be to think this principle permits us to be wishy-washy or undisciplined. But the truth is, it likely takes more guts and determination to be persistently flexible than it does to be just plain rigid. Leaders’ adaptability gives teams the confidence to tackle challenging problems and find the right solutions. Trust comes from knowing your captain can handle the ship in rough waters, not just when the ocean is calm. Adaptability is also thought to equal flexibility in changing and uncertain environments, but just how flexible can we expect our captains to be? It turns out that quite a few desirable qualities make up adaptability in leadership. On the upside, adaptable leaders are good listeners. They don’t just hear what is being said; they digest it. And if it happens to be a new idea that their team is presenting, they don’t mind if it sometimes challenges their way of thinking.

Another characteristic is that they welcome change instead of resisting it. Exceptional leaders swiftly alter their strategies and tactics when new information appears, or circumstances change. They are keen to read and adjust to the currents of change. Another key trait is that they recover from setbacks and learn from failures. They see challenges and problems as opportunities to grow and develop. Finally, they view change in a broader context. They see not only the changes that are occurring but also the changes that are likely to happen and the reasons for them. And they don’t lose sight of the present while adjusting their long-term vision to align with future developments. Practical methods exist for leaders to foster a flexible leadership style. One of the most vital is to accept the path of lifelong learning and stay curious. Good leaders seek knowledge, are open to learning from various people and experiences, and know enough to listen and understand. Listening, understanding, and responding are essential for good leadership and being attentive to the kinds of verbal and nonverbal signals people send. As a leader, zone in on the parts where you could have and should have been more adaptable and consider why you’ve got (or haven’t got) what it takes to make more flexible decisions in the future. Experiment with new tactics and strategies and not be afraid to fail; the more you embrace a growth mindset, the more you’ll cultivate the ability to be an effective leader and the presence of mind to withstand change. After all, great leaders are the ones who become the flexible trees bending in a storm, emerging even more substantial after the challenge has passed.