‘Gung ho’ managers in times of crisis say “failure is not an option”. 

Sadly, failure is more likely than success. It is an option and some organisations have it built into their DNA. Esteemed author Ron Heifitz argues we need to adapt. Our context, morale, resources, opportunities, risks are all changing – so must we.

“..mobilising people to tackle tough challenges is what defines the new job of a leader”

Adaptive leaders know the need to listen more, communicate more and invest heavily in earning trust and credibility.  They know that they need to facilitate some real brain-stretching thinking and generous listening if they are to shape the future. 

Equally, they need to be more visible, accessible and focused during change. They need sensitive performance management that paces change and recognises that some resistance is inevitable but prolonged resistance is destructive. As change moves forward they need their ‘failure radar’ at full alert: It can happen, it is likely to happen. Let me reduce the chances of it hitting us.

Good leaders face failure full on, they do not hide from it, but adapt their style to deal with it.