Adapting with Open-Mindedness as Conditions Change.

One thing we can all be sure of is that things change and that new challenges, barriers, and obstacles will arise unexpectedly. In addition to being flexible, leaders must be proactive in adapting by adjusting their responses, infrastructure, and tactics to overcome whatever difficulties emerge. The most important factors in meeting these challenges are confidence, optimism, teamwork, and creativity.

Some leaders thrive when they are suddenly and unexpectedly confronted with new obstacles. They welcome these moments, finding energy and purpose in solving complex problems. We often refer to such individuals as problem solvers and critical thinkers. They approach difficulties with a firm conviction that a solution exists and that they will find it. In many cases, they transform problems into opportunities, producing outcomes even better than those originally envisioned. Excellent leaders see challenges as openings to improve the organization, its operations, and its overall position.

Equally important, great leaders do not face crises alone. When problems arise, they work collaboratively with their teams. They question assumptions, brainstorm alternatives, and seek insights from those closest to the situation. They collect advice and suggestions, evaluate each idea in terms of feasibility, effectiveness, and efficiency, and consider how various options might be merged or adapted into combined solutions. They model intellectual openness by inviting diverse perspectives, which allows them to think creatively and respond effectively to new situations.

Leaders must also be creative themselves or know how to draw upon the creative energy of their team members. Creativity requires thinking beyond conventional boundaries, questioning old methods, and even reimagining what are often called best practices. It means experimenting with new ideas and developing fresh paradigms for achieving essential goals. Innovation involves rethinking processes with the ultimate purpose in mind. What are we truly trying to accomplish? To do this well, leaders must be willing to let go of traditional assumptions and re-envision their work from the ground up.