What is Adaptive Leadership? 10 Characteristics

Adaptive leadership—it’s a term that gets thrown around a lot these days. Everyone seems to be discussing the need to be "adaptive," especially in our fast-changing world. But what does it take to be an adaptive leader?

At Learning Forte, we believe adaptive leadership isn’t just about keeping up with change; it’s about embracing it, guiding it, and sometimes even driving it. It’s more than a trendy phrase—it’s a set of skills and mindsets that help leaders navigate the unknown confidently and clearly.

The list below synthesizes insights from my research, my work with Learning Forte, and an understanding of the best qualities leaders can develop in themselves as they practice adaptive leadership. These characteristics give real substance to a concept that’s too important to be merely another phrase we toss around without being clear about what we mean.

10 Characteristics of Adaptive Leaders

1. Curiosity: Embrace possibilities with an open mind.
2. Empathy: Connect deeply with those around you, understanding and addressing their emotions and needs.
3. Growth: Commit to growth by learning from new experiences.
4. Resilience: Manage anxiety and stay steady under pressure, guiding yourself and others through challenges.
5. Vision: Keep a clear vision of the future, even in uncertain times, using it as a compass to navigate complexity.
6. Collaboration: Work alongside others, fostering teamwork and valuing diverse perspectives to find the best solutions.
7. Innovation: Embrace new ideas and encourage experimentation, understanding that innovation is key to thriving in a changing world.
8. Clarity: Communicate clearly, ensuring everyone understands the direction and their role in moving things forward.
9. Humility: Remain humble, be open to feedback, and be willing to adjust your course when needed.
10. Purpose: Let a strong sense of purpose guide you, anchoring your decisions in your values, especially in times of uncertainty.

As you reflect on these characteristics, choose one to focus on in the coming weeks because adaptive leadership is not just a skill but an art and a practice that deepens with intention.

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Two sources I have found particularly helpful in developing my practice of adaptive leadership are:

1. Susan Beaumont, “How to Lead when you don’t know Where You’re Going: Leading in a Liminal Season”
2. Ron Heifetz, “The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World.”

written by Tisha Brown
September 2024