How to Shift From One-Dimensional to Versatile Leadership

The prominent one-dimensional leadership style is now obsolete. In theory and practice, leadership that relies solely on one major style no longer works.

shift to versatile leadership

When leaders reflect on their style (or receive feedback on it), they often become stuck in binary questions like

✓ Am I authoritative or empathetic?

✓ Does my style rely more on trust or control?

✓ Am I protective of my team, or do I motivate my people to achieve more?

All those questions create loops 💫

There is often no clear answer. Even if you decide which side of the spectrum you are on, you will immediately realise it’s not enough.

Because contemporary, versatile leaders need to be well-rounded.

Labelling yourself is very limiting for how you respond to situations.

Responding to everything in the same way is not effective anymore.

There may be competing demands that require a customised approach.

shift to versatile leadership

How about opening up to a new set of different competencies and building versatility?

Instead of continuously dealing with dilemmas, nurturing a variety of leadership skills can help you be more effective as a leader, navigate challenges confidently, and achieve better results.

Embracing multidimensional leadership is essential for today’s leaders in complex landscapes.

It requires a deeper understanding of adaptability and balancing diverse skills, which can be polar opposites.

For example, how do you balance being results-driven and fostering a supportive team environment?

However, that does not mean you will lose your personal style or become a people-pleaser.

On the contrary, how you mix and match those versatile competencies and leverage them in each situation is in your hands, and you can sprinkle it with your unique personality and talent.

What if one weekly question can change the way you lead and shape your career?

Each week, I share insights and prompts to help you step back, gain clarity, and lead yourself (and others) with intention, not just reaction.