Page 291 - kf fyi for your improvement license eng 3-4-15

Want to learn more? Take a deep dive…

Lie, E. (2010, November 18). Instant MBA: Striking the right balance between rigid and flexible
management will motivate employees. Business Insider.
Martinuzzi, B. (n.d.). The agile leader: Adaptability. Mind Tools.

Vlachoutsicos, C. (2012, December 7). What being an “authentic leader” really means. Harvard
Business Review Blog Network.

Warrell, M. (2013, May 20). Why leaders must “get real” – 5 ways to unlock authentic leadership.
Forbes.

Job assignments
• Set tasks that force you to shift gears, such as being a spokesperson in a tough issue, making peace
with an enemy, or managing a team of novices. Try new behaviors and seek feedback on your
approach.
• Support the implementation of a controversial new project or process that wasn’t your idea and that
you don’t fully agree with. Mentally rehearse how you will respond to challenges from your audience.
• Take on a tough project where there are no clear answers or paths to completion. Wear different hats
as you figure out how to deal with the variety of situations.
• Help people infuse humor into their presentations. Adept use of humor requires a good understanding
of the situation, the audience, what will play, what would go over their heads and what would fall flat.
• Volunteer to teach others something you don’t know how to do the next time a new procedure, policy,
or technology appears. This will force you to shift from experienced expert to novice.

Take time to reflect…
If you rely on one or two ways of handling most situations…

…then think of behaviors as tools. You don’t need a sledge hammer to crack a walnut. A spoon
won’t help when you need a shovel. Use what’s best to get the job done.

If you feel self-conscious when trying out different ways…
…then recognize that adaptability is like a muscle. It gets stronger with exercise. Relax. Have fun
with it. Today’s awkward straining can be tomorrow’s natural flexing.

If you feel changing too much means you’re not being yourself…
…then understand that if situations shift, staying the same isn’t always an option. When the old
route is blocked, you need a new map to guide you to the new route.

© Korn Ferry 2014-2015. All rights reserved. WWW.KORNFERRY.COM

291