Let’s be honest. If leadership were as simple as choosing a single leadership style and sticking to it come what may, most organizations would run smoothly and be stress-free. But in the real world (you know, the one that’s far, far more complex and stress-filled), leading people is not so simple.

Great leadership is not static. It’s not fixed. And it definitely isn’t something you master once and never revisit.

It’s adaptable and often shaped by the daily challenges of real people, real pressure, and real decisions. Which is why clinging to one leadership style like it’s the out of date hairstyle you’ve been rocking for the last fifteen years simply won’t cut it.

So how do you lead well, in an adaptive way, without exhausting yourself or your team? 

The Adaptive Leadership Problem With Picking Just One Style

Many leaders we speak to have fallen into the trap of defining themselves by a single style.

• “I’m a visionary.”
• “I lead with empathy.”
• “I’m results-driven.”

Or maybe they’ve taken an online quiz and decided they’re a ‘compassionate leader,’ an ‘autocratic leader,’ or a ‘mentor leader.’ They’ve put themselves in a box and now they’re determined to stay there, making every decision through that single lens, no matter the context. But if there’s one thing and one thing only you take away from this article, it should be this: no single leadership style works all the time.

(In fact, relying too heavily on one approach is a bit like wearing flip-flops to a black-tie dinner. It might feel comfortable, but it won’t get you very far and it’s likely to raise a few eyebrows.)

Understanding different leadership styles - and how to adapt between them - is a huge part of every leader’s development journey From the directive autocrat to the inspiring navigator, each style brings something different to the table. What matters is knowing how (and when) to use them.

What Is Adaptive Leadership 

Adaptive leadership is not about being indecisive or trying to keep everyone happy. It’s also definitely not about changing your mind with the wind or leading by committee.

It’s about knowing which is the most effective leadership style for the situation you’re in at that moment and having the self-awareness and emotional intelligence to switch gears when needed. 

• In a crisis? You might need to take charge. Think: autocratic leadership style.
• Trying to rebuild trust? Time to listen and create safety. Think: compassionate leadership style.
• Growing future leaders? You better start preparing them. Think: mentor leadership style.

Adaptive leadership means choosing your approach deliberately and not defaulting to what feels familiar or easy. Yes, that’s right, it’s another case of stepping away from your soft and squishy leadership comfort zone - the one padded with old habits, well-worn phrases, and that “we’ve always done it this way” mindset.

Stepping into adaptive leadership means embracing the discomfort of stretching beyond your default style. If you naturally lead with empathy, it may ask you to make a tough, unpopular call. If you default to decisiveness, it may push you to slow down and listen. If you thrive on vision, it may demand you get into the weeds. Adaptive leadership is uncomfortable because it won’t ever let you hide in your favorite mode. Critically, it asks you to use the style the moment requires, not just the one that feels most natural.

This could be why only 10% of leaders demonstrate the behavioral range required to lead adaptively, according to McKinsey. Which begs the question: if most leaders are sticking to one style, what happens when that style doesn’t suit the moment? 

The Cost of Not Adapting

When leaders stick to one style no matter the situation, the cost can be steep. Think  lost trust, stalled growth, or even organizational collapse. Let’s take a look at a few real-world examples of what happens when leaders fail to adapt.

1. Command-and-Control in Creative Fields

In fast-moving, idea-driven industries like tech or media, rigid leadership kills innovation. Steve Ballmer’s early Microsoft years leaned heavily on control and short-term performance, but the company stagnated until Satya Nadella shifted toward a more collaborative, adaptive style.

2. Too Much Empathy in High-Stakes Setting

Empathy matters, but not at the expense of decisive action. During the early COVID-19 crisis, some hospital leaders hesitated to reassign or cut back staff roles to avoid conflict. The delay increased burnout and strained patient care.

3. Collaboration in a Crisis

After the 2008 financial crash, some banking executives wasted time in consensus meetings while markets crumbled. By contrast, leaders like Jamie Dimon at JPMorgan acted decisively, protecting the firm’s position. The lesson? In a crisis, adaptive leaders shift gears fast.

In every case, the failure wasn’t lack of intelligence or passion. Oh no, it was staying stuck in one style when the moment demanded another.

Adaptive Leadership Is Like a Squash Match 

One of our favourite analogies here at My Daily Leadership involves a squash court. Yes, a squash court. Stay with us.

In squash, there isn’t a single winning shot you can rely on every time. A perfect drop shot might work once, but your opponent will anticipate it if you keep repeating it. To win, you need range: the boast, the crosscourt, the drive, the lob. The best players scan the court, read their opponent, and then choose the shot that fits the moment.

Leadership works the same way. If you keep reaching for your “signature shot”, whether it’s being visionary, empathetic, or directive, you’ll get predictable, and eventually, ineffective. And trust us, nobody wants this. 

Adaptive leaders, like great squash players, expand their repertoire. They know the six leadership styles, understand the pros and cons of each, and choose deliberately, not reflexively.

That’s the essence of adaptive leadership: knowing when to change your game, even if it feels uncomfortable, so you stay effective no matter what comes at you.

That’s exactly what our Leadership Styles Masterclass is designed to uncover.

The Power of Choice in Adaptive Leadership

So what does adaptive leadership look like in practice? It starts with range. 

Developing true adaptability starts with mastering the full spectrum of leadership styles including understanding their strengths, their drawbacks, and the situations where they shine. There are six in total, and each has its place. Visionary direction can unite a team. Compassionate listening can heal division. Autocratic decisiveness can stabilize a crisis. The key is knowing not just how each style works, but when to use it.

In practice, that looks like:

• Scanning the room before speaking
  
• Reading the emotional current, not just the agenda
  
• Knowing when to push, when to pause, and when to hand the mic to someone else
  
• And above all… leading with intent
  

The best leaders choose. Not just how to act, but who to be in each moment.

That’s what separates the good from the unforgettable. And if you’re reading this, we’re guessing you want to be in the latter category, because good is fine, but unforgettable changes everything.

Which brings us back to our Leadership Styles Masterclass…

Start Your Adaptive Leadership Journey With the Masterclass

If you’ve ever wondered:

• What kind of leader am I, really?
• Why do some situations bring out the worst in me?
• What’s stopping my team from truly thriving?

Then our Leadership Styles Masterclass is your next step.

In it, we’ll walk you through:

• The six leadership styles from least to most desirable
• How each style shows up under pressure
• The strengths and weaknesses of your current leadership habits
• How to build the flexibility and insight needed to lead with impact

You’ll also have the opportunity to take our comprehensive leadership assessment and receive your personalized Leadership Styles Profile. Based on behavioral science, you’ll receive a score based on the six globally recognized leadership styles, showing you what’s working, what’s missing, and where to focus next. 

Final Thoughts on Adaptive Leadership

Let’s be clear, adaptive leadership is NOT about being everything to everyone. It’s about making intentional choices - sometimes bold and most of the time uncomfortable, that fit the moment and move people forward. It’s the difference between reacting on autopilot and leading with clarity and intent.

If you’re ready to step into that space, to expand your range and lead in a way that creates both results and trust, then you’re exactly where you need to be.

Ready to lead with confidence, clarity and adaptability?

Book your spot on our Masterclass: What’s Your Leadership Style (and is it a good thing?) and learn your default style, when (and how) to shift gears, and start building the kind of leadership that creates results and relationships.