Webinar Recap: Adaptive Leadership In A Changing Workplace

Navigating and thriving in unpredictable situations as a leader requires adaptive skills that center empathy while creating a culture of openness and innovation. If you prioritize leading in an evolving work environment with confidence, gain insights below featuring the fantastic coaches Shari Jo Watkins, Teresa Mullery Elaine Jacob. 

Understanding Adaptive Leadership

“Not everything that is uncomfortable or causes discomfort is wrong and is bad,” shares Coach Teresa. Learn how having flexibility through adaptive practices creates a workplace environment that prioritizes employee well-being.

According to Coach Teresa, adaptive leaders have the following qualities:

• They know themselves well—their opinions, biases, and triggers—which helps them react appropriately and act as role models to those around them.

• They have a growth mindset and be open to change.

• They practice active listening, value differences among employees, and engage in authentic discussion without distraction (increasingly important in today’s digital world).

Further, workplace policies must view team members as individuals, create employee-centered policies focused on their unique skill development, and view employee well-being holistically to create a culture of care.

Navegar por la incertidumbre

“If I am flexible and I’m creating the spaces through the shapes I’m making, people will fill them in,” according to Coach Teresa, who encourages brave and bold leadership. Learn core principles to guide teams through uncertainty while fostering resilience, communication, and collaboration.

Key takeaways:

• To be a trustworthy leader, you must be consistent, self-aware, and emotionally intelligent.

• Prioritize a culture of continuous learning and find opportunities for skill development in your team.

• Instill confidence through communication to foster transparency and psychological safety.

• Avoid “weaponizing wellness” where seemingly generous perks are used in lieu of addressing deeper issues or concerns.

Developing Adaptive Skills

The benefits of developing adaptive skills are far-reaching and ever-changing, says Coach Shari Jo. “We have to make sure that we develop them and, not just for ourselves, but for the people around us too…what we do now cannot be what we do tomorrow.” Learn how to enhance your team’s adaptability through skill development and a culture of curiosity and openness.

Key takeaways:

• Learning new skills models important behavior for your team and demonstrates that your organization is forward-thinking and resilient to change.

• Reflection is a key component of skill development. Assessing yourself and where you may fall short, where you felt strong, etc will lead to incredible learnings.

• View feedback as a growth tool — when you’re asking questions, you have more ability to begin leading by example by finding out exactly what your team needs.

• Psychological safety is key — if people aren’t comfortable, they’re not going to perform or show up all the way, especially if they don’t feel leaders are listening, asking questions, and being okay with all responses.

• Building flexibility and agility into work practices is cyclical and ongoing.

Leading Through Emotional Intelligence

Para Coach Elaine, so much of effective leadership is about vulnerability. “We model it, we build trust, we create space, and we promote growth and resilience.” Learn how to leverage emotional intelligence to foster trust and create an environment where your teams feel valued and empowered to thrive.

Key takeaways:

• Self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills are the core components of emotional intelligence. How well do you know your strengths, weaknesses, and biases as a leader?

• Trainings can be helpful to supplement initiatives, but the most powerful learning comes from watching (and leading by example).

• Employee-centric policies will attract good people and contribute to a culture of belonging.

• Use the LADDER acronym for active listening. Look at the speaker, Ask questions, Don’t interrupt, Don’t change the subject, Empathise, and Respond thoughtfully.

Effective Communication For Change

Communication goes beyond verbal cues, Coach Elaine points out. “Am I connecting with this individual when I’m communicating? We may hear the words, but it’s the tone of voice and the body language.” Learn how to inspire teams through clear, purposeful communication during periods of change.

Key takeaways:

• Communication is about connection and clarity—overcommunicating and repetition can create the consistency needed to achieve this.

• In an uncertain world, be intentional! Intention is rooted in authenticity—showing up and being fully present.

Ready to build a more empowered, resilient, and thriving workforce? Connect with a Coach 1:1 and create an actionable strategy specific to your work context.

Reservar una llamada

Webinar recorded November 2023