Unconventional Leadership Competencies, Part 2: The Power of Adaptability and Self-Awareness

As the year winds down, you’re probably feeling the familiar mix of reflection and anticipation. December invites you to look back at what shaped you, what stretched you, and what still needs your attention. It also nudges you to look ahead and to who you want to become as you step into a new year of leadership.

This makes it the perfect moment to explore two competencies that set unconventional leaders apart: adaptability and self-awareness. These skills aren’t just helpful for closing out the year well. They’re essential for preparing yourself, your team, and your organization for the opportunities and complexities that 2026 will bring.

Why Adaptability Matters More Than Ever

The last few years have taught us that plans can shift overnight - a market downturn, an unexpected resignation, technology disruption - and the pace of change isn’t slowing down. Adaptability is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s what separates struggling leaders from successful ones.

Unconventional leaders don’t just react to change, they lean into it. They stay curious about what’s emerging. They pivot with purpose rather than panic. They build teams that aren’t thrown off course at the first unexpected turn, because adaptability has become part of the culture.

Without adaptability, you’ll find yourself constantly firefighting, exhausting your team, and watching competitors move faster than you can respond.

As you reflect on 2025, ask yourself:
How easily did you flex when conditions changed?
How often did you cling to an outdated plan because it felt more comfortable?
What would be possible if you could anticipate change instead of just reacting to it?

Your honest answers will shape your readiness for what’s next.

Self-Awareness: The Competency That Amplifies All Others 

Self-awareness is one of the most overlooked leadership competencies, yet it’s the root of almost every strength you hope to build. When you’re self-aware, you understand not only who you are but also how you impact the people around you.

This is especially powerful at the end of the year. Reflection becomes a tool for growth rather than self-critique. It helps you identify patterns, uncover blind spots, and celebrate the progress you may not have noticed in the rush of day-to-day leadership. Without it, you’ll repeat the same mistakes, damage relationships without realizing why, and wonder why your most talented people keep leaving.

Unconventional leaders pause regularly to ask:
How did I show up?
Where did my leadership elevate others, and where did it create friction?
What do I need to adjust before the new year begins?

By paying attention to the influence you have, you position yourself to lead with greater intention and integrity.

Over five decades of executive search and leadership development, we’ve worked with thousands of leaders navigating everything from rapid growth to organizational crisis. The pattern is clear: the leaders who succeed aren’t necessarily the smartest or most experienced. They’re the ones who’ve cultivated adaptability and self-awareness. They read the room, adjust their approach, learn from their missteps, and bring their teams through change without creating chaos. These aren’t innate gifts. They’re competencies that can be developed with the right support and honest reflection.

Preparing Yourself for 2026 and Beyond

As you close the chapter on 2025, adaptability and self-awareness give you the clarity you need to set meaningful goals and the flexibility to achieve them. They help you build trust, foster accountability, and create the kind of workplace where people feel safe to grow.

More importantly, these competencies connect directly back to the heart of unconventional leadership:

• Leading people with genuine care, not just performance metrics
  
  
• Cutting through complexity to give your team clear direction
  
  
• Making values-based decisions even when short-term pressure says otherwise
  
  
• Leaving a legacy defined by impact, not urgency
  
  

The leaders who excel in 2026 won’t be the ones with the most rigid plans. They’ll be the ones with the strongest sense of self and the willingness to adapt in ways that help their teams navigate uncertainty with confidence.

If you’re ready to build these competencies in yourself and your team, now is the perfect time to invest in your growth.

Talk with our team about how 1-1 coaching or our Unconventional Leadership Program can help you build the adaptability and self-awareness that set exceptional leaders apart in 2026.