The Chameleon Leader: Adapting to Unlock Your Team’s Potential
- Kingsley Johnson
- Aug 11
- 2 min read
A few years ago, I was coaching a manager who was frustrated with a team member.“She’s so slow to make decisions,” he told me. “I give her a task, and it’s like wading through treacle to get an answer.”
After some discussion, we discovered the real issue: it wasn’t that she was slow — it was that she was thorough. She liked to gather all the facts, consider the risks, and then act.The manager’s fast-paced, decisive style clashed with her methodical approach.
The breakthrough came when he started adjusting his communication. Instead of expecting instant answers, he gave her more information up front and time to think before deciding. Within weeks, her performance soared — and their working relationship completely transformed.
That’s the power of leadership adaptability.
“The best leaders are chameleons—they adapt their colours to bring out the best in every person they lead.”
Why Adaptability Matters
Every person on your team sees the world through their own lens. They have unique strengths, motivations and ways of communicating. A single leadership style — no matter how good — can’t get the best out of everyone.That’s why great leaders shift their style to meet people where they are, without losing sight of who they are as a leader.
In our work at Kinetic People Development, we see this in action every day. A manager who thrives on quick decision-making may need to slow down for an analytical team member. A leader who loves big-picture thinking may need to roll up their sleeves and get into the details with a colleague who has Compliance as their leading style.
From Awareness to Action
Tools like DISC are brilliant for this. They give you a framework to understand not just your own default style, but also the styles of those around you. Once you know what makes people tick, you can adjust:
Dial up your energy for the high-D go-getters.
Create space for reflection with the reserved C-styles.
Add warmth and encouragement for steady S-styles.
Bring vision and enthusiasm to inspire I-styles.
The Payoff
When leaders adapt, something powerful happens:
Team members feel understood and valued.
Communication barriers dissolve.
Performance and engagement rise naturally.
Adaptability isn’t about being fake — it’s about being fluent in more than one leadership
language. The more fluent you are, the more doors you can open for your people.
A Challenge for You
This week, notice the “colours” of the people you lead. Ask yourself: What would it take for me to adapt my approach so they can do their best work? Then try it — and watch the results.
Let’s Talk About Your Leadership Journey
At Kinetic People Development, we help leaders and teams unlock their strengths, build better connections and achieve more together. If you’d like to explore how adaptable leadership could transform your team, get in touch.
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