Change is inevitable—and these days, it can feel relentless. As leaders, how we respond to change significantly influences our teams' ability to maintain high levels of performance. In a recent webinar, my colleague and friend Dr. Vicki Halsey shared some powerful insights for thriving during turbulent times. It was an engaging presentation filled with practical advice on prioritizing goals, diagnosing competence and commitment, and learning how to apply a matching leadership style. I encourage you to view the recording to fully experience what Vicki had to share. Let me highlight some key takeaways.
Embrace Positivity and Optimism
Vicki opened the session with a powerful phrase: "Be the one." Leadership during times of change is fundamentally about being the one who steps forward and provides clarity, compassion, and understanding. These are not merely soft skills—they are essential elements of successful leadership. When leaders embrace positivity and optimism, they empower their teams to feel strong, healthy, and ready to face whatever challenges come their way.
Manage Energy
One of the most compelling parts of Vicki's presentation was her emphasis on managing energy. We all know about energy vampires—individuals who seem to drain the room of positivity and enthusiasm. But what about energy generators? These are the people who invigorate those around them, sparking enthusiasm and a willingness to engage deeply. Vicki challenged all leaders to consciously choose behaviors that generate energy and motivate others.
Expand Your Emotional Vocabulary
With a nod to Brené Brown’s best-selling book Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, Vicki highlighted the importance of expanding our emotional vocabulary. Often, our emotional expressions are limited to basic feelings—happy, sad, angry, etc. But as Vicki emphasized, having precise language to describe our feelings is a game-changer. It enhances understanding, promotes healing, and strengthens relationships. This is particularly important when change creates heightened emotions, anxiety, or uncertainty.
Give People What They Need, When They Need It
Central to Vicki’s message was the SLII® leadership model, a cornerstone of effective performance. According to Vicki, the leader’s main job is straightforward, yet profound: "to give people what they need, when they need it." The SLII® model helps leaders do exactly that by clearly identifying their team members' development levels—competence and commitment—around specific tasks and goals. It empowers leaders to match their leadership style precisely to the needs of their employees.
Vicki highlighted four development levels (D1, D2, D3, and D4) that employees experience when approaching tasks or goals:
· D1 (Enthusiastic Beginner): High motivation but low competence
· D2 (Disillusioned Learner): Low competence and low commitment due to initial struggles
· D3 (Capable but Cautious Performer): Moderate to high competence but variable commitment
· D4 (Self-Reliant Achiever): High competence and commitment, fully empowered, and confident
The real art of leadership, as Vicki explained, lies in accurately diagnosing where an employee falls within these four stages on a specific task or goal, then tailoring leadership behavior accordingly. For example, beginners require clear direction, while more experienced team members benefit most from collaborative discussions where their own ideas and problem-solving capabilities are supported.
Importantly, Vicki highlighted a common leadership pitfall: only 1% of leaders can provide all four matching leadership styles effectively—and 54% use one leadership style in all situations. Real leadership mastery, however, requires flexibility and proficiency in all four SLII® leadership styles—Directing, Coaching, Supporting, and Delegating. This adaptability enables leaders to meet their team members exactly where they are, which fosters growth, confidence, and sustained high performance.
Ask Courageous Questions
Another critical point from Vicki’s session was the power of courageous questions. Questions like "What motivates you?" "How would you like to be appreciated?" or simply "Tell me more," can dramatically enhance communication, trust, and engagement. Courageous questions invite vulnerability, which, as Vicki pointed out, strengthens connections and creates safe spaces for honest conversations.
Be The Leader Your Team Needs Right Now
For those who want to dive deeper and experience Vicki's enthusiasm and wisdom firsthand, I strongly recommend that you view the webinar recording. You'll find practical tools, inspiring insights, and actionable strategies to immediately enhance your leadership effectiveness during times of change.
As Vicki emphasized, leadership is all about being the one—the one who listens, understands, energizes, and supports. It is about breaking down walls, creating trust, and providing clarity. Be the leader your team needs right now. You can access the recording here.
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