In today’s changeable work environment, one of the most significant factors influencing organizational success is the ability of leaders to adapt their style to meet the diverse and shifting needs of their people. Learning the skill of leadership flexibility—situationally adjusting one’s leadership style to meet the needs of followers—is a critical competency in a changing workspace.
Why Flexibility Matters
The concept that effective leadership should vary according to follower needs isn't new. For almost 40 years, Blanchard’s SLII® leadership development model has underscored flexibility as a critical leadership skill. Its relevance, given the increases in workload expectations and changeability, has made flexibility an increasingly urgent skill for leaders to learn during periods of significant change.
Several client case studies from the Blanchard website illustrate positive outcomes that can result from having leaders who know how to flex their leadership style. Consider how some of these same situations might apply in your organization:
Intuitive Surgical – Improving Leadership Skills for Sales Leaders
Key Takeaway: Sales leaders learned to flex their leadership style based on the development levels of their direct reports.
· A tenured salesperson was struggling in a new role. His manager initially provided a delegating style, assuming the employee’s past success meant he didn’t need guidance.
· After implementing SLII®, the leader adjusted to a more directive approach (Style 1) with clear goals and timelines.
The result? The salesperson exceeded expectations, resumed their growth curve, and became a high performer.
Determining the ROI of SLII® at Delta Dental of California
Key Takeaway: Leaders who applied SLII® principles were able to adapt their leadership style, leading to better performance. Leaders improved in areas such as listening to team needs, setting clear expectations, and providing appropriate support based on employee readiness.
As a result:
· 87% of leaders reported that their new leadership behaviors improved team performance by 27%.
· 90% of direct reports confirmed that their leaders’ new skills positively impacted their performance.
Leadership Learning Journeys at Aya Healthcare
Key Takeaway: Leaders embedded new leadership language into daily conversations, improving management effectiveness. New leaders learned when to be directive and when to be supportive.
Results:
· Employees reported higher engagement, stronger communication, and better performance.
· SLII® language became part of the company culture, leading to more productive conversations across departments.
Measuring the Effectiveness of SLII® Training at Land O’ Lakes
Key Takeaway: Sales managers learned to adjust their coaching approach based on employee needs.
· 91% of participants applied new skills after leadership training.
· Direct reports noticed significant improvements in their leaders’ behaviors.
· Employees took more initiative, improved problem-solving, and worked better as teams.
The Benefits of Adaptability
Across multiple industries, leaders who learned to flex their leadership style based on the needs of their direct reports saw tangible improvements in performance, engagement, and retention. The common success factors included:
· Better coaching conversations
· More engaged and motivated employees
· Higher individual and team performance
· Stronger trust and collaboration
By moving away from rigid leadership styles and adopting a situational approach to leadership, organizations were able to create more agile, high-performing teams that thrive under different circumstances.
Getting Started
Given the powerful outcomes associated with a situational approach to leadership, HR and L&D teams should consider prioritizing this skill in their leadership development programs. Here are several practical steps to help leaders become more adaptable:
1. Develop Situational Awareness
Train leaders to recognize different employee needs and maturity levels. Help leaders learn to assess when employees require direction, support, encouragement, or autonomy.
2. Encourage a Coaching Mindset
Transform your leadership culture from a one-size-fits-all approach to one that emphasizes a coaching mindset. Encourage leaders to practice active listening, ask insightful questions, and give individualized feedback tailored to each employee's strengths and developmental areas.
3. Promote Psychological Safety
Educate leaders to create environments where employees feel safe taking risks, expressing ideas openly, and adapting to challenges without fear of criticism or punishment. Leaders who foster psychological safety build teams that are more creative and adaptable.
4. Offer Practical Training and Tools
Equip leaders with practical resources and training to help them manage the complexity of flexible leadership. Role-playing scenarios, situational analysis exercises, and ongoing feedback mechanisms can help leaders internalize the skills they need to adapt quickly and effectively.
5. Build a Culture of Continuous Learning
Embrace organizational learning and adaptability as core cultural values. Leaders who regularly reflect, seek feedback, and embrace continuous learning will be better positioned to shift their style effectively in response to changing demands.
Take Your Next Step
Leaders who adapt their leadership style, provide emotional support, manage change effectively, and actively develop their teams are better equipped to support their employees during times of transition. These adaptable leadership qualities directly influence engagement, retention, and resilience within organizations, helping employees navigate change more successfully.
You can learn more about taking a situational approach to leadership by participating in an upcoming webinar hosted by Dr. Vicki Halsey, Maintaining High Levels of Performance During Times of Change
Dr. Halsey will share how Blanchard’s SLII® leadership model provides a powerful framework to help leaders adapt their leadership style to meet employees where they are, ensuring they receive the right level of direction and support to stay on track.
The event is free, courtesy of Blanchard. Learn more here!
About the Author
More Content by David Witt
