Ever tried flexing your leadership style, only to feel like a total imposter? Feel inauthentic and like you’re doing it wrong? You’re not alone. Ironically, that feeling of “I am doing it wrong” might actually be a sign you’re on the right track. So let’s dive into this all-too-common feeling that often chips away at our self-confidence as leaders, and understand why adapting your leadership can sometimes feel like failure.
🧠 LEARN something.
Most articles on adaptability in leadership style say a lot without saying anything new. They focus on advice and explain why you should do it, but skip the messy reality of what it feels like when you’re adapting your leadership style and it just feels wrong. So let’s get real about it. In this context, adaptability in leadership refers to the ability to flex how you communicate and how you show up, to suit the situation and your people’s needs. It means knowing when to step in or step back, when to lead from the front or coach from the side, and when to be collaborative versus when to set the direction and expectations. Good leaders don’t pick one style and stick to it. They constantly adapt their leadership style to the people and situations around them.
But here’s the messy part: when you do this, it often feels like you’re doing it wrong. It feels clunky, unauthentic, like you are being someone else, and at worst, it can feel like (at least in your own head) that you’re failing. By its nature, adapting and moving away from your preferred leadership style can make you feel less confident, less in control, and less like yourself. You might worry you’re being inconsistent or inauthentic. You may even fear that adapting will hurt your image or reputation. That’s when self-doubt creeps in. For example, if you’re a collaborative leader and need to set clear expectations, it might feel unnatural. If you’re used to solving problems and giving answers, but choose to coach instead, it’ll feel uncomfortable. But this discomfort is the real step-up for leaders. It’s not meant to be comfortable, it’s meant to be effective. The moment you accept this, and the moment you start adapting your style for your people, is the moment you start leading for them, not you.
🤔 REFLECT on an idea.
“Growth and comfort do not coexist.”
Ginni Rometty
😊 SMILE a little.
I tried adapting my leadership style to coach and ask more questions instead of giving answers – my team thought I was having a crisis and offered to call HR.🤣
✅ DO IT to get results.
The next time you feel stretched, ask yourself: Am I leading in the way that’s best for the person and the outcome, or just in the way that’s most comfortable for me? That’s your answer. Because if you’re caught up thinking about how you feel or which style you should use, your focus is on you, not on them.
🌱 How we can support you and your team.
We provide strategic leadership solutions tailored to align with your business strategy, size, and budget. We can support your with:
- 1:1 Leadership and Performance Coaching
- Team Coaching, for high performing teams
- 1:1 Health & Lifestyle Coaching for busy stressed leaders.
- Workshops, offsites and team development.
- Or our flagship individual Leadership Coaching Programs.
Kia pai tō wiki
Kenny Bhosale
CEO & Founder, The Bridge Leaders
