Taking time to reflect and assess your personal capabilities is the first sign of a good leader. Those who demonstrate the most flexibility succeed with change. 

Successful change leaders evidence three types of flexibility:

• Cognitive – an ability to apply different thinking strategies. They have a plan A, but can visualise back up plans should unexpected situations arise. They easily learn from experience and understand when old approaches no longer work

• Emotional – an ability to vary one’s approach to manage their own emotions and those of others. This leader can easily transition through change and manages resistance and complaints. They understand the importance of recognising employee loss which could include the old ways of doing things, status and role changes. When deficient in this characteristic, they are dismissive of other’s concerns and views and simply shut down the discussion

• Dispositional – an ability to remain optimistic but remain grounded in openness and realism. They avoid being ultra-positive and extremely pessimistic. This type of leader understands and recognises that there will be bad times but keeps focused on a more positive future. They handle ambiguity well.³