Our world can change overnight. If you need proof of that, just look at March of 2020. And while not every change may be as drastic as a pandemic lockdown, the world we live in is ever evolving and constantly being disrupted. So how do you lead in that kind of environment?

Well, spoiler alert: it’s less about leading and more about learning. Because there’s no real way to predict or prepare for unprecedented change, you have to prototype and experiment while you’re in it. You learn your way forward. 

This is called adaptive leadership, according to Tod Bolsinger, pastor, educator, speaker, and author. Tod recently discussed adaptive leadership with Slingshot CEO Tim Foot on the Slingshot podcast. Below are some of the aspects of leadership he explored in the podcast:

Adaptive leadership means wisely modifying your methods, deciding what to hold onto and what you need to be willing to leave behind to fulfill the mission. It means admitting that you don’t have all the answers and committing to learning and asking for help. Adaptive leadership is learned in the leading.

And while you can’t predict what disruption the world will produce next, you can always predict that there will be change you’ll need to adapt to … and that change comes with pushback and sometimes even sabotage.

If you’re facing pushback or sabotage in your adaptive leadership, don’t worry; you’re not alone. And not only that, it’s actually normal. People will push back when faced with the unfamiliar. 

The first thing to do when faced with resistance is to “start with conviction”, Tod said in the podcast. Ask yourself: Is this my vision or the vision of the Lord for me to steward? If it’s the latter, you need to get very clear about the mission with those who are pushing back against you. God’s mission is bigger than you and those you’re leading! Come to an agreement that you’re all committed to following God’s call, even if it will be difficult and involve change. 

After that, there are three ways to “stay” through the sabotage:

1. Stay calm during resistance

The answer to pushback isn’t pushing back even harder. It is listening, learning, and having peace in what God has called you to.

2. Stay connected to people who are sabotaging you

You may want to distance yourself as much as possible from those who are seemingly at war with you. Don’t! Stay connected, continue to ask questions, and continue to love them. Change is difficult for everyone, and having a leader who will walk with them through it rather than drag them into it will make all the difference.

3. Stay the course

If this path is what God has laid on your heart, keep going. Keep learning more about how best to navigate this path, keep asking for help from mentors and friends, and keep asking the Lord for guidance.

Check out the podcast with Tod Bolsinger and Tim Foot here: