In our latest article from the leadership series, VadarMoss and Jason Rawles of Aspire Adventures explore why leadership styles adapt to meet different needs and how individuals must find a way to draw on reserves when times become challenging.
Simon from VadarMoss explains how he hadn’t expected his recent expedition to Kilimanjaro to be as mentally challenging as it was. He anticipated the physicality of the climb, but there was an additional undertaking of digging deep and finding it within yourself to advance. In these situations, motivating people becomes a priority, ensuring people continue and reach the top.
“Part of the process through the learning stage is spending time together before starting a climb, and when you look at individual characters, you gain an understanding of how leadership style may need to change,” explains Jason.
Historical studies have observed relationships between leadership styles, employee engagement and overall outcomes. In our economy, employees are often encouraged to continue innovating to achieve their goals. Transformational leadership is generally a model for motivating innovation. This leadership style inspires people to embrace change by creating a culture of accountability, ownership and autonomy. Studies suggest that transformational leadership enhances performance, whether on an expedition or at work and supports added innovative behaviours. The qualities of a transformational leader include offering intellectual support, inspiring and setting higher but achievable expectations. The motivational side and the emphasis on leaders serving as role models significantly influence overall outcomes.
Recognising these types of leaders will help us determine our response to changing situations. Considering the recent pandemic, leadership behaviours have transformed, and the effect of leadership in challenging situations is considerable and can have a lasting impact. Some studies suggest many leaders need to avoid defaulting to one particular style of personal choice in leadership rather than responding to the most appropriate in individual circumstances. The result is that many apply the wrong style of leadership to achieve their goals.
A report by Storey and Holti from the Open University Business school defined nine factors that determine and assess an effective leader. These factors include:- evaluating the details, connecting services, sharing the vision, engaging with people, holding to account, developing abilities and influencing for better outcomes.
“For some, it could be some tough love that is needed, or it could be finding that song lyric or powerfully visualising a moment like returning home to the family that is needed,” describes Jason.
We must understand each character before determining which leadership style to use and ensure people have the tools to face these challenges. Resilience is another vital characteristic that every leader must possess. Resilience means having the ability to adapt to changing situations, allowing leaders to succeed in any circumstances. It also means staying focused on the end goal and recovering or overcoming potential challenges.
“You have to be honest with people and say, this will be tough, right, but you must try to work out what is in your mind,” explains Jason.
“Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Is it a song lyric, or is it when you go home, and your kid hugs you, or when your colleagues sponsor you.”
The other critical characteristic of a successful leader, particularly in our current economic and geopolitical situation, is being agile and viewing each challenge as an opportunity. Being creative and open to changing direction is vital in times today. No matter the economic outlook or how fast the environment changes, leaders must possess and demonstrate authenticity and purpose. Strong leaders can overcome adversity if they stay aligned with their values and continue communicating with people.
“You need to give people the tools to find themselves, and then you can use that as a lever for situations when people say they can’t go on. You have to remind them how it will feel when their daughter gives them a big hug,” explains Jason.
From the challenges of managing an emerging startup to leading with commitment and purpose during times of accelerated growth, it takes courage to take a step further and make real change, whether in the business world or on an expedition. Courage is one vital characteristic that keeps us growing as a leader, and while it can be tempting to remain in our comfort zone and do things normally, courage is often required to progress and succeed.
Leadership today is very focused on managing mindsets and asking the right questions. Compassion and being agile are critical parts of successful leadership. From a business perspective, leadership agility requires exploring new outlooks and behaviours, taking a more inclusive approach and being flexible to changing circumstances.
Having a flexible leadership style to manage varied situations and individuals is a valuable part of good leadership and will ultimately be a defining element of success, whether in the office or on the mountain. It’s finding what works, which is why Jason and other leaders’ roles are so important to recognise what that is and when it is needed.
