With the natural stressors that saturate our economy and society, there’s no refuting the prevalence of volatility in the workplace. Change is unavoidable. Good leaders understand this and can effectively adapt to changing situations. More importantly, they are flexible enough to withstand the unexpected and challenging conditions these shifts may bring.

What are the Distinctions Between Flexibility and Adaptability?

Before considering why flexibility and adaptability are vital to success, it’s essential to define the terms.

Flexibility and adaptability are often applied interchangeably, but there are some critical distinctions between them. While adaptability is the ability to change your situation to suit a new environment, flexibility is the commitment to do so. The more you are willing to adjust or compromise, the more flexible you are.

For example, if your company is making fundamental changes that trigger a shift in work hours, being able to work an 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift (as opposed to a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift) while bringing on new teams, clients, and the reaction to this change reveals your adaptability. Your flexibility demonstrates how often you’re ready to take on this new schedule.

Good Leaders Must Possess Flexibility and Adaptability?

There are four reasons why great leaders must be flexible and adaptable:

1. To Learn from Challenges

Leaders see the importance of challenges with flexibility and adaptability rather than running away from conflict. Instead, they tackle the challenges head-on because they understand there is much to learn from errors and roadblocks.

Studies show leaders who cannot adjust well are defined by their bosses and coworkers in the following ways:

• Risk avoidant
• Defensive
• Not open to new and diverse ideas
• Closed to feedback

As flexibility and adaptability inspire new ways of thinking, leaders who have them hold the emotional knowledge required to

• Learn from missteps and manage them with poise.
• Be open to and react well to feedback.
• Stay calm under pressure.

2. To Create and Adjust Plans

Good leadership does not simply entail establishing well-organized, strategic plans. It’s also about creating agile strategies so that when curveballs are thrown your way, you know how to manage the situation adequately. Being able to achieve this raises your value and the value of your team.

When leaders realize the value of diverse thinking and are open to stepping outside their comfort zone, they can quickly shift as things shift around them. Leaders who act swiftly are twice as likely to make change occur as those who are not adaptable and flexible.

3. Be Better Equipped with Varied Leadership Styles

Daniel Goleman, an expert on emotional communication, explains no one type of leadership style reigns over others. Instead, the style to use depends on the condition and the personalities involved. Leaders must be able and eager to adjust their style to align with the unique needs of each new case.

Here are the six leadership types Goleman examines:

• The coercive approach: This is a “do what I say” method that is helpful during high-stress situations requiring a fast turnaround.
• The authoritative style: Leaders describe an overall goal to team members and trust them to achieve it using their own methods. This may be beneficial when your team is trying out a new strategy.
• The affiliative style: This methodology puts team members first, focusing on establishing team harmony and morale. Leaders may use this to help team members understand and apply empathy in their day-to-day relationships.
• The democratic style: Team members have an identical voice in decision-making and creativity. Leaders may choose to integrate this style if they want to introduce teamwork and collaboration.
• The pacesetting style: Leaders set high expectations, which they also embody. This might be used with self-motivated team members.
• The coaching style is often used for personal development rather than work-related tasks. The coaching-style can benefit team members looking to improve their weaknesses.

4. To Create Successful Teams

Learning from mistakes, strategically adjusting plans, and incorporating different leadership styles eventually helps leaders build stronger teams. When flexibility and adaptability are applied at the leadership level, team members pass them on.

Whether facing crises or meeting deadlines, all problems require a degree of change—and the more open and eager team members are to these shifts, the stronger the team will develop.

Albert Einstein once said, “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”

Improving Your Flexibility and Adaptability as a Leader?

Finally there are three crucial ways leaders can improve their flexibility and adaptability:

Customize Your Leadership Approach

Being a flexible leader involves operating on a continuum. There isn’t only one way to lead; the best way to teach others depends on various factors:

1. The team members you are leading
2. The skills, capabilities, and commitment of the other team members
3. The variables of the situation (e.g., project task and requirements)

These circumstances will elicit the attitude you must embody to lead yourself and your team through the changes successfully. Leaders should take a moment to stop and consider the factors listed above before reacting to their team members. Leaders must approach each situation with the right intent and attitude to yield the right results. Navigating various situations effectively can encourage leaders to utilize and acquire a well-rounded set of leadership styles.