Adaptive Leadership in Uncertain Times: Leading with Clarity, Courage and Flexibility

Understand the principles of adaptive leadership and why it's essential in unpredictable environments.

Recognise the difference between technical and adaptive challenges.

Build the mindset and behaviours needed to lead with resilience and flexibility.

Engage and empower teams in the face of uncertainty and resistance.

Apply practical tools to lead through change, conflict, and complexity.

What is adaptive leadership?

Origins (Harvard Kennedy School, Ronald Heifetz model)

How adaptive leadership differs from traditional leadership

The link between complexity, uncertainty, and the need for adaptability

Technical vs adaptive challenges

Why some problems can’t be solved with expertise alone

Common leadership traps during crisis or disruption

Adaptive work: reframing problems and shifting mindsets

Get on the balcony – seeing the bigger picture

Regulate distress – maintaining productive tension

Maintain disciplined attention – keeping teams focused

Give the work back – empowering others to lead

Protect voices of leadership from below – enabling diverse input

Developing personal resilience and emotional agility

Navigating ambiguity, setbacks, and pressure

Identifying your leadership default style under stress

Reflection: What kind of leader does your team need now?

Building trust and psychological safety during turbulence

Managing resistance to change with curiosity and empathy

Tools for courageous conversations and adaptive dialogue

Creating shared purpose and distributed leadership in teams

Scenario planning and sensemaking

Stakeholder mapping in dynamic environments

Using inquiry over advocacy

Holding space for experimentation and learning

Leading with both confidence and humility

Identify one adaptive challenge in your role/team

Map your adaptive leadership response

Peer coaching conversations

Build a 30-day Adaptive Leadership Plan

Workshop-style, highly interactive

Case studies, breakout discussions, and guided self-reflection

Scenario-based practice and small group exercises

Option to include pre-work, post-session coaching or check-ins

Adaptive Leadership workbook

Reflection tools and leader self-assessment

Conversation guide for adaptive challenges

Change resistance diagnostic

Personal Leadership Development Plan template

Executive coaching package

360 feedback or team diagnostic on adaptive capacity

Integration with change management or innovation programs

Customisation for specific industries (e.g., public sector, healthcare, education, finance)