How Flexible Is Your Leadership Style?
I love trains. I especially love the high-speed trains darting around Europe, the TGVs zooming across France, and the beautiful Thalys Ruby roaring at over 300 kph from Paris to Amsterdam.
However, the high-altitude trains in Switzerland take my breath away. My much better half and I spent a fantastic week in Wengen, high up in the mountains above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. We enjoyed some breathtaking hikes around the Eiger and rode the rails of several incredible trains.
A few days ago, I read a story on the BBC news feed about a new high-altitude train route between Interlaken and Montreux. For reasons I will yet explain, I got thinking about the flexibility leaders must show in their styles when working within their teams.
The Difference a Slight Shift Can Make
The article discussed how the world’s railroads use a patchwork of varying gauges—mainly broad, standard, and narrow. Railway development lacked industry standards in the 19th Century, leading to varied gauges to suit the terrain, transport purposes, and political influences. The inconsistency explains why we often must change trains when traveling, particularly in Switzerland.
But now, thanks to new technology 15 years in the making, the revolutionary “variable gauge bogie” fitted beneath the train allows passengers to remain on the same train for the entire journey. The system slightly shifts the wheels and train height to accommodate the gauge attrition and platform height. The effect is almost indiscernible, so only a discerning train aficionado would notice it.
For travelers, an informative gauge change is displayed on a screen to show passengers it’s happening.
The minuscule shifting of the variable gauge bogie to align with different environments while not impacting the passengers got me thinking about the similarities with effective leaders, who need flexible shifting when dealing with the varying personalities of teams (environments).
Leadership is not One-Size-Fits-All
The dance is dynamic, and the best leaders can “switch up” the rhythm. If undertaken well, team members are not even aware.
(It is unlikely that you’ll want to display the fact on the office television screen, although maybe you would!)
The composition of any team includes unique individuals, each with their unique personality, strengths, and challenges. To lead effectively, you must be adaptable, meeting each team member where they are.
Here’s the thing: what works for one person may not work for another.
Some thrive on structure, while others flourish in freedom.
Some need detailed guidance, while others need a nudge.
If you lead everyone the same way, you risk losing the magic diversity brings to your team.
How Do We Stay Flexible?
- Know Your People – Start by understanding who they are. Take time to get to know them—what motivates them, stresses them out, and how they prefer to communicate. The more you know, the better you can adapt your leadership style.
- Be a Chameleon, Not a Dictator – Leadership isn’t about control; it’s about influence. The most successful leaders adapt to their team’s needs, not the other way around. Flexibility shows that you value your team as individuals, not just cogs in a machine.
- Create a Toolbox of Styles – One leadership style doesn’t fit every situation. Be prepared to switch it up. Sometimes, you need to be the coach, sometimes the cheerleader, and sometimes the mentor. The more tools in your leadership toolbox, the more effective you’ll be in guiding your team through challenges and toward success.
- Listen and Adjust – Flexibility requires feedback. Be open to what your team tells you— verbally and through their actions. If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to pivot. Adjust your approach based on what the situation and individual require.
- Empower Through Trust – Flexibility in leadership is also about trust. Trust your team members to take the reins when necessary. When you show flexibility, you empower your team to take ownership of their work, leading to higher engagement and better results.
Leadership Flexibility Is A Must
Demonstrating flexibility in leadership is more than just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have.
In today’s world, where change is constant, and teams are increasingly diverse, the ability to adapt sets great leaders apart from the rest. Your team isn’t static, and neither should your leadership be.
Flexibility in leadership leads to better communication, stronger relationships, and, ultimately, higher performance. It shows that you’re not just leading a team—you’re leading individuals, each with their unique potential.
To fix the train system in Europe, it wasn’t the paying public that had to change. The train had to learn to adapt, to adjust to different circumstances and environments, and facilitate a steady ride.
So take a look at your team.
Are you adapting to their needs or trying to fit them into a mold? The best leaders can flex, bend, and stretch their leadership style to bring out the best in every individual. So, embrace flexibility. Be a “variable gauge bogie.”
Your team will thank you for it, and the results will speak for themselves.
Postscript:
Look out for a big announcement from us soon about Fiore Group Training’s brand-new SONAR Leadership 2.0 workshop, which will launch in January 2025. Tickets to the first train, departing on January 21, will go quickly!
