In today’s business scene, the only constant element is our need to embrace change. With the general election fast approaching, UK SMEs find themselves navigating through a maze of political and economic volatility. From trade tensions to regulatory changes and market fluctuations, great leadership has become more than just a skill; it’s a necessity. The basic components of good leadership do not hinge on circumstances but remain consistent throughout time. Great leaders do not simply emerge from difficult or turbulent times; great leaders are already prepared for them!
Here are a few tips to help business leaders learn how to better harness times of uncertainty as an opportunity for collaborative problem-solving and new strategic thinking, thereby applying effective leadership practices.
The power of adaptive leadership
At the core of effective leadership lies adaptability—the ability to steer through uncertainty with agility and foresight. The adaptive leadership framework was originally developed by experts at Harvard University, and it offers a blueprint for leaders to confront complex challenges head-on. By championing principles like empathy, accountability, and creativity, leaders can empower their teams to thrive amidst uncertainty, creating a productive environment for resilience and innovation to grow.
The adaptive leadership model distinguishes between routine and adaptive challenges, recognising that while routine problems have known solutions, adaptive challenges often require innovative thinking and departure from traditional procedures. For instance, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, specifically with respect to tools like ChatGPT, presents adaptive challenges with no predefined solutions, stressing the need for organisations to innovate.
Ensure your staff feel supported
To lead means to listen. In approaching the midyear mark, it’s crucial for organisations to conduct check-ins that go beyond mere performance assessments. Biannual check-ins serve as vital opportunities for leaders to connect with their teams, offering support and guidance during times of high uncertainty.
Creating a supportive environment involves more than just reviewing goals and achievements; it requires active listening, empathy, and a commitment to addressing any challenges or concerns that employees may be facing. By demonstrating genuine care and support during midyear check-ins, organisations can foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and resilience, ensuring that employees feel empowered to thrive and succeed.
The pressure of good leadership
A common leadership myth is that leaders must be infallible and possess an innate ability to make flawless decisions. This assumption often creates the dangerous expectation that leaders must project unwavering strength at all costs. But during times of high external pressure and uncertainty, it’s OK to be vulnerable, and important to focus on delivering transparent communication with the rest of the team. While it is true that people look to their leaders for reassurance about the state of affairs and the organisation’s health, this can lead to false promises and take a toll on leaders’ well-being.
Leaders are so often worried about their staff, their business, and their board, they very often forget to worry about themselves. But good leadership also means implementing practices and processes that allow for every member of the workforce, including business leaders themselves, to prioritise mental health. For leaders, taking a small step towards openness, perhaps with a group of trusted advisers, can be a great start.
Learning to lean on others
While being at the top may seem like an isolating position, leadership is not a solo pursuit. Great leaders intentionally select a diverse team of executives who are likely to think differently from them, thereby encouraging new ideas to flow. Seasoned leaders also understand the importance of having an equally experienced professional network and seek out other CEO peers facing similar challenges.
Each leader carries biases shaped by their past decisions and life experiences. Hearing other perspectives helps leaders separate the facts from their personal stories or opinions about what is happening. This is ultimately the power of CEO coaching programmes provided by peer advisory organisations like Vistage, to open new channels of constructive feedback and help business leaders feel part of a strong professional support system.
Ultimately, difficult times demand strong leadership. By embracing adaptive strategies, supporting their teams, and fostering transparent communication, leaders can navigate the complexities of today’s business landscape, emerging stronger and more resilient than ever before.
By Andy Perkins, Managing Director Of International Operations At Vistage Worldwide
