In a rapidly changing world, successful leaders need the ability to change and adapt. Knowing where to stay the same and where to adapt becomes a fundamental strength of good leaders.

Below are several of the leadership standards identified by Gillian Charlesworth of Oxford University to be a good steward of change:

• Recognize that there is a need to change your leadership style.
• Take steps to be a purposeful leader.
• Create a plan that will help you lead your team through different challenges.
• Make sure to communicate clearly with the members of your team as there is a change.
• Evaluate the goals that are being created to ensure that they’re realistic.
• Delegate tasks to members of the team.
• Be transparent with the decision-making.
• When problems occur, address those problems quickly to create a learning opportunity.
• Look back and see what plans need to be adapted.
• Provide accountability, to yourself and the team, to help reach goals.
• Remain empathetic, leading with empathy to nurture employees.

Here are helpful reflection questions to consider when to adapt as a leader:

• What are the business indicators that change is happening?
• What are your customers’ needs and challenges?
• Is your team trained to respond to the needs and challenges of your customer?
• What makes it easy to do business with your company?
• Where are people productive?
• Where are systems and processes working or hampered?
• What are the roadblocks to doing good work?
• How quickly do you expect your employees to respond to your customers?
• How quickly do you respond to your employees?
• How close are you to the hub of communication of your own workforce?
• What do your employees need to excel in their role?
• How well trained are your team leaders and managers?
• What are your company values and how are they being applied to the challenges of today’s workforce and market?

To succeed as a leader is to be prepared for multi-situations. You have already led through an unplanned pandemic; you are well-skilled to handle advance preparation and consideration for change on the horizon. Discover the signals of change for your team and industry and define ways to be prepared for the cycle of change.

Be the change,

Bobbie