by Colleen Seward Ryan
Be firm on principle but flexible on method.
~Zig Ziglar
Truly effective 21st century leaders have one thing in common – flexibility! These modern leaders know that the days when rigid organizational charts and business processes set in stone are gone. They know that today’s hyper-competitive, increasingly globalized world means you have to be flexible, or be left in the dust!
Effective Leaders are Adaptable Like a Chameleon
A chameleon is is one of nature’s best creatures at adapting. Like a chameleon altering his coloring to blend into the background, an effective leader will alter himself to fit the particular situation. This means an effective leader can’t be a “one-trick pony.” He has to be comfortable leading via a variety of leadership styles. He also has to be skilled enough to know when it’s appropriate to use each style.
Only through being flexible, can leaders today adapt their leadership style to fit the ever changing demands of their organization and their employees. This flexibility means you can take advantages of emerging opportunities or quickly ward against impending threats. This not only maximizes your employees productivity, but helps your organization garner a competitive advantage.
Balancing Principle and Flexibility for Effective Leadership
Being flexible doesn’t mean being so wishy-washy or inconsistent that you let anything go. You do need to be adaptable and resilient. However, to truly be an effective leader, you also need to be consistent and unwavering in your values. You have to balance these two, sometimes conflicting, traits.
Hold on to your true core values and the mission of you and your organization. Commit yourself to standing firmly, when these are threatened. However, a truly effective leader blends this rigid commitment with flexibility. He flows with the changes in conditions he experiences to support the values and missions he holds dear.
Think of this balance like your backbone. Your backbone is stiff and strong, supporting your body. Yet, it’s flexible enough to allow you to bend and twist, to accomplish amazing feats! Without the rigidity of the vertebrae, you’d flop around like a limp noodle. Without the flexibility afforded by the discs of the spine, we’d walk around all day, never being able to bend over, twist to look to the side, or a million other things.
Effective leadership is just like this! Stay rigid enough to support the organization, but flexible enough to take advantage of all opportunities around you.
About Colleen Seward Ryan, Leadership Expert
CREDENTIALS: Colleen Seward Ryan is an international workplace and employee management expert, award-winning corporate trainer, and conference keynote speaker. A media veteran, she has appeared on numerous radio shows around the country and has written more than 40 popular articles on diverse workplace issues. Colleen has delivered more than 1,100 entertaining programs in 48 states and five countries. She is the author of 10 published audio programs and two books including SECRETS YOUR BOSS ISN’T TELLING YOU.
Colleen Seward Ryan is available for keynotes, breakout sessions, and seminars by calling (623)340-7690.
