Adaptive leaders

In this dynamic environment, adaptive leaders are the critical need.  At multiple structural levels there is an enhanced potential for diminishing effectiveness and efficiency within the organization.  Therefore adaptive leadership abilities and qualities in which they are able to establish a delicate balance between the positive outcome associated with in stress.   An adaptive leader must have employees felt the need to change and having them feel overwhelmed by change.  Leadership in a change driven business environment is a “Razor’s Edge”.  Adaptive leaders successfully implement change in a work environment by providing direction, protection, orientation, conflict control and shaping of norms.  Adaptive leaders take pro-active steps to help mitigate the resistance to change by maintaining disciplined attention to the various all organizational constituents, giving the work back to the people as manageable, incremental tasks, re-scaling the voice of management to protect employees and practicing leadership as learning in order to maintain an edge.  Adaptive leader acts as a buffer to create a work environment conducive for change and understands the potential of his or her work force.

Adaptive leader strives to create an adaption work environment based on:

1. Adaptive leader obtains an understanding of how change influences, affects and impacts his or her employees.
2. Adaptive leaders embraces a multi-dimensional perspective that is based on both a systems and an  actors approach.
3. Adaptive leader observes, classifies and analyses the organization change within a four level framework of change type: professional, functional, cultural and power.
4. Adaptive leaders make critical decision during the change management that requires a delicate balance between having employees feel that the need to change and ensure that they are not overwhelmed by changes

These provide adaptive leaders with an enhanced ability to understand and implement organization change; work environment operates more effective and efficiently and it is essential for adaptive leaders to exist at all organizational levels.

Source: Tim Lowder .B. – “Adaptive leaders needed throughout the organization” editors message.  Advances in Management, Vol.4 (), June 2011 – page 5-6

Classic quotes

“Doing the right things, when required, is a calling from on high.  Do it boldly, do as you believe, do as you are”.

He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander – Aristotle

He that would be a leader must also a bridge – Welsh proverb

Leaders are more powerful role models when they learn than when they teach ……… Rosabeth Moss Kautor

Living Leadership

Leadership is the ability to see ahead, 
take courageous stands and inspire others, magical ability to persuade and inspire others.   

Leadership happens between people in a particular situation or moment, it is a social process; leaders play  roles for and with others, sometimes as hero or scapegoat, looking for opportunities amidst their dynamics.  Leaders have to connect with people to become effective.

Leadership is context specific i.e. context within which people are working.  Leaders cannot transfer in their business environment, organizational culture, people and group dynamics in the way they hoped.  Leadership is subtle and situational.  Leaders are real, not wearing masks or preteen; uses all their humanity, intelligence, their emotions and intuitions.  They play a role that suited them.  Coming alive to the moment is also another ability i.e. focusing on the people in front of the other pressures. 

 “Leaders command respect because they are real, passionate, hardworking and committed but not perfect”

Source:“Living Leadership” – George Binney, Gerhard Wilke, Colin Williams, Peason Education Ltd.