Adaptability Skill in Leadership – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post 1051

Adaptability Skill in Leadership – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post 1051

Dear Colleagues! This is Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post 1051 for Pharma Veterans. Pharma Veterans Blogs are published by Asrar Qureshi on its dedicated site https://pharmaveterans.com. Please email to pharmaveterans2017@gmail.com for publishing our contributions here.

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Credit: Derrik Wandera

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Credit: RDNE Stock Project

Credit: RDNE Stock Project

This post is inspired by Ryan Ettridge’s program titled ‘Becoming Unstuckable’. Link at the end.

Preamble

Freedom comes in many forms. Freedom is important for everyone as it means getting free from preconceived notions, prejudices, and biases learnt over time. It also means getting liberated from the shackles of the distorted ‘management wisdom’ learnt from seniors and peers.

Leadership is usually associated with control, structure, and decisive action. Leaders are supposed to be always ready to take decisions quickly. While these traits are important, there’s another side to leadership that’s often overlooked: the ability to go with the ‘flow’.

Flow may sound like a new term for leadership whereas flow is accepted and promoted in several other types of work To me, talking about flow is a way to connect the art and science of leadership. Ryan explains flow and gives reasons for going with the flow. He also discusses benefits of going with the flow. 

Going with the flow doesn’t mean being passive or aimless—it’s about adapting to the natural rhythms of your environment, your team, and even yourself, allowing for greater flexibility and creativity.

When leaders learn the art of going with the flow, they become more resilient, open to change, and better equipped to handle the unexpected. Let’s see how going with the flow can transform your leadership style. 

Why Going with the Flow is a Leadership Strength?

It Encourages Flexibility – Leaders who are rigid in their approach often struggle when faced with uncertainty or change. Going with the flow teaches you to be adaptable, to pivot when needed, and to respond to the situation in front of you rather than trying to force a predetermined plan. This flexibility allows you to navigate challenges with greater ease.

It Reduces Stress – When you’re constantly trying to control every outcome, it can lead to burnout and frustration. Going with the flow relieves some of that pressure. You learn to trust the process, allowing things to unfold naturally without feeling the need to micromanage every detail. This not only reduces stress for you but also for your team.

It Promotes Innovation – Creativity thrives in environments where there’s space for experimentation and flow. By letting go of rigid expectations and adopting a more fluid approach, you open the door to new ideas, approaches, and solutions that may not have been visible under a strict plan. Innovation often comes from the unexpected, and going with the flow allows for those surprises to emerge.

It Builds Stronger Teams – When you lead by example and demonstrate that it’s okay to adapt and be flexible, your team feels empowered to do the same. This creates a culture of resilience and problem-solving, where team members feel confident navigating change and uncertainty. Instead of fearing mistakes or setbacks, they learn to move through them with ease.

How to Lead by Going with the Flow?

Stay in the Present and Adapt – One of the key principles of going with the flow is staying in the present. Instead of focusing solely on long-term plans, pay attention to what’s happening in the here and now. What is your team’s current energy? What does the situation call for? Being in the present allows you to make real-time decisions that are aligned with what’s happening in the moment, rather than sticking rigidly to a plan.

Let Go of Control (Where It’s Not Needed) – Not everything needs to be controlled. Learn to identify which areas of your leadership truly require structure and which areas can benefit from a more flexible approach. For example, deadlines might need to be firm, but the way your team achieves them can be fluid. Let go of the need to dictate every step and trust your team to find their way.

Accept and Welcome Uncertainty – Going with the flow requires you to be comfortable with uncertainty. Instead of resisting it, see it as an opportunity for growth and discovery. When things don’t go as planned, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” or “What new opportunity is emerging?” Accepting uncertainty opens the door to new possibilities.

Balance Structure with Flexibility – While going with the flow is important, it doesn’t mean abandoning all structure. The key is to find a balance between planning and spontaneity. Have clear goals and directions but be willing to adjust the path to achieve them. This balance ensures that you stay focused on the big picture while allowing room for adaptability along the way.

The Benefits of Flow in Leadership

Increased Creativity and Problem-Solving – When you and your team are able to flow with change, you create an environment where creativity and problem-solving thrive. There’s less fear of failure and more openness to experimentation, which leads to better solutions and breakthroughs.

Greater Resilience – Teams that can flow with unexpected challenges are more resilient. They’re less likely to panic in the face of adversity and more likely to find creative solutions. As a leader, you set the tone for this resilience by demonstrating flexibility and calm in uncertain situations.

Stronger Team Dynamics – Teams that accept to work with flow tend to communicate better and collaborate more effectively. There’s less rigidity in roles and more openness to sharing ideas and stepping in where needed. This fluidity strengthens relationships and builds trust within the team.

Sum Up

Going with the flow doesn’t mean abandoning your leadership responsibilities or plans—it means being adaptable, open, and present to what’s happening in the moment. When you accept to work with the flow, you’ll find that challenges become opportunities, and stress is replaced by a sense of ease and resilience.

Concluded.

Disclaimers: Pictures in these blogs are taken from free resources at Pexels, Pixabay, Unsplash, and Google. Credit is given where available. If a copyright claim is lodged, we shall remove the picture with appropriate regrets.

For most blogs, I research from several sources which are open to public. Their links are mentioned under references. There is no intent to infringe upon anyone’s copyrights. If, however, it happens unintentionally, I offer my sincere regrets.

Reference:

https://www.becomingunstuckable.com/