Implementing Adaptive Leadership within Teams
- Kristi Duvall
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
As we continue the series on adaptive leadership, we’ve defined and identified some of the skills necessary to lead this kind of change. Now let’s discuss how we might implement adaptive leadership in your team.
Reflection Questions:
What are the rituals and norms within your organization when a change is on the horizon?
When are upcoming changes communicated?
How do you address conflict?
Thus far, many of my stories have been about adaptive leadership and self-advocacy. Today, I’m diving into leading teams.
Team Dynamics
Consider a change that you need to implement in 2025. What are the team dynamics? How do team members interact? What are the behaviors of the individuals on the team?
As an example, one of my teams consists of a few individuals that are very close. They have a tendency to fall into groupthink. Once one member of the core suggests an idea or thought, they all fall in line. There are a few others that don’t fall into this category, and there is a divide amongst the team. However, they won’t all openly admit it. I have to routinely dig to get them to challenge each other’s thinking. My intent is to have a team of independent thinkers that can provide constructive insights and help us put our expertise together to achieve unconventional results.
Just last week, I met with the team to provide statistics on our 2024 results. In addition, I provided some 2023 stats for context. I watched the body language cues as they pondered what had transpired between those years and now what we needed to do to meet our goals for 2025. I asked what ideas they had to close the gap.
Everyone in the group contributed. I talked about the importance of challenging each other if someone didn’t agree. They agreed to question and engage in healthy, productive debate if necessary. We discussed that we would keep progress front and center in our meetings by celebrating success and adapting to setbacks as needed.
Empowering Team Members
Empowering your team members is essential for fostering an environment of trust and collaboration. Here are a few strategies that have worked for me:
Encouragement of Independent Thinking: Regularly encourage team members to voice their opinions and present alternative perspectives.
Ownership and Accountability: Assign specific responsibilities and empower team members to take ownership of their tasks.
Recognition and Reward: Recognize individual and team achievements, celebrating both small and significant milestones.
Effective Communication
Adaptive leaders must excel at communication. Here are a few tips:
Open Dialogue: Foster an environment where open dialogue is encouraged. Ensure team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.
Active Listening: Practice active listening, showing empathy and understanding. Reflect on what’s being said and provide thoughtful responses.
Transparent Communication: Be transparent about changes and the reasons behind them. This helps build trust and alignment within the team.
Conflict Resolution
Addressing conflict head-on can turn challenges into growth opportunities:
Identifying Root Causes: Take time to identify the root causes of conflicts and address them directly.
Mediation: Act as a mediator when necessary, facilitating constructive discussions between conflicting parties.
Promoting Healthy Debate: Encourage healthy debate and ensure all voices are heard. Use conflicts as a chance to explore diverse viewpoints and find innovative solutions.
Implementing adaptive leadership within teams requires a thoughtful approach to team dynamics, communication, empowerment, and conflict resolution. By fostering an environment where independent thinking and collaboration thrive, leaders can guide their teams through change and achieve remarkable results.
As you reflect on the strategies discussed in this installment, consider how you can apply these principles to your own teams. Remember, adaptive leadership is about being flexible, open-minded, and committed to continuous improvement. Stay tuned for the final installment in our series, where we’ll explore how to measure and sustain adaptive leadership within your organization.
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