In last week’s Whatif? Wednesday Thought Letter, we discussed the challenges leaders will face in 2025, from digital-first workplaces to reimagining workforce well-being. This week, we’ll focus on the first of the five challenges: developing adaptable and resilient leadership.

A Monday Morning Reality Check

It’s Monday morning, and your best client left for a competitor without warning. At the same time, your top performer asks for a mental health leave, and the CFO wants to move your budget meeting from the end of the day to an hour from now. Suddenly, you’re juggling emergencies, emotions, and strategy simultaneously. Welcome to leadership in 2025. The stakes are higher, and the pace is breathtaking.

Why Adaptive, Resilient Leadership Matters

Think of adaptive leadership as your organization’s shock absorber. Resilient leaders don’t collapse in the face of a crisis, when the market shifts dramatically, or when a competitor behaves irrationally. They bend, adapt, and reset quickly. They see each disruption as an opportunity to learn and grow, and, as a result, their teams learn to do the same.

A Quick Self-Reflection

Let’s do a fast check-in. Take a moment and think about the last big challenge you faced:

• How did you respond? Instinctively or strategically?
• Which part of the situation felt the most overwhelming?
• What long-held beliefs held you back from responding differently?

Write down your answers. This “micro-audit” is the first step to building greater self-awareness, resilience, and adaptability.

What Does Adaptive, Resilient Leadership Look Like?

Here are five strategies I’ve learned throughout my career:

1. A Growth Mindset in Action

You’ve heard “growth mindset” before, but let’s move beyond the buzzword. It means facing challenges and saying, “I might not know what to do – yet – but I know we can figure it out.”

One COO I spoke with described having to revamp her business over a weekend:

“I realized resilience isn’t about having a flawless plan; it’s trusting your team’s ability to improvise and problem-solve in real time.” 

I can’t count the number of leaders I’ve known who stalled in their careers or failed to step up in the face of a challenge from a fixed mindset.

2. Real-Time Feedback Loops

Adaptive leaders use “pulse checks” to their advantage. After a challenging meeting or mini-crisis, they ask their team and internal stakeholders: “What went well?” What didn’t? What can we do better next time?”

This continuous loop can help you move quickly while the lessons are fresh in your mind.

3. Low-Risk Stress Tests

Run what-if “failure drills” with your team, where you gather for a brief “worst-case scenario session.” For example, “What if our most significant client suddenly leaves us? How would we respond in the next 48 hours?”

Low-risk stress testing sessions help your people build problem-solving muscles and the confidence they need when a real crisis strikes.

4. Break Free of Limiting Beliefs

An adaptive mindset can get stuck in neutral because of limiting beliefs. Those internal narratives that say, “I can’t manage this,” or “I’m too far behind to catch up.” Resilient leaders recognize these beliefs and reframe them:

• Fixed belief: “I’ haven’t dealt with something like this before, so I’m not going to risk making a mistake.”
• Reframe: “I haven’t dealt with something like this before, but this is an opportunity to experiment, innovate, and learn.”

Resilient leadership isn’t about having all the answers because no one does. Courage is taking on something fearful and doing it anyway, knowing courage matters most.

5. Iteration Over Perfection

In a world where disruption happens daily, aiming for perfection is a trap that leads to inaction. Adaptive leaders embrace iteration. They adjust, adapt, and improvise as new information emerges. They say, “We tried this, but it didn’t work. Now, let’s improve on it.” This instills confidence in those around them.

A tech leader I know said it well:

“We confront a new market reality every quarter, so why hang on to an old game plan? Constant iteration is how we survive and ultimately thrive.”

These five strategies can embed resilience in your organization and demonstrate leadership’s adaptability. Remember, resilience grows in small daily steps – consistency beats intensity.

Focusing on self-awareness, real-time feedback, intentional practice, and bold “What if?” thinking actively builds adaptability and resilience and can make you a leader who can confidently navigate 2025’s many complexities.

Let’s unlock better – together.