ADAPTIVE, FOLLOWERSHIP, AND TEAM LEADERSHIP THEORIES 1
Adaptive, Followership, and Team Leadership Theories
BMAL 702
Degree and Cognate: PhD and Leadership
Liberty University
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ADAPTIVE, FOLLOWERSHIP, AND TEAM LEADERSHIP THEORIES 2
Adaptive, Followership, and Team Leadership Theories
This week’s reading assignment focused on the adaptive, followership, and team
leadership theories. These three theories expand upon the previously studied and discussed
theories contained in this course and contribute to the multifaceted and complex aspects our
belief, understanding, and knowledge of the topic of leadership. The two portions of this module
that I found to be most intrigued by are the adaptive and team leadership theories. I will discuss
each one of these individually.
Adaptive Theory
According to Northouse (2021), the “adaptive leadership theory focuses on the
adaptations required of people in response to a changing environment”. I must admit, when
reading this, I could not help but think back to previous chapters and discussions about
transformational and transactional leadership and the behavioral and situational approaches to
leadership. Even the name of the theory indicates and suggests that leaders and followers blend
into and “adapt” to their surrounding environment. Metaphorically speaking, leadership is like
water. It is essential for life and for growth. Water and a leader will conform to the confines of
the container or environment in which it or they are placed. When stopped or blocked, water and
a leader will find the path of least resistance to resume flowing and progression. The new path
will slowly and steadily reshape the landscape over time. From a negative perspective, leadership
and water can and will cause erosion over time. According to McClellan (2022), who quoted
Heifetz, leaders need to ‘get to the balcony’ and leaders need to not only lead the path of change,
but they need to be and must be involved in the effort to bring about change. You cannot lead
from the rear was a phrase that was heard and frequently used while I was in the military.
ADAPTIVE, FOLLOWERSHIP, AND TEAM LEADERSHIP THEORIES 3
Team Leadership
According to Siangchokyoo & Klinger (2022), “leadership has long been considered
crucial for shaping team members’ attitudes and actions, for stimulating effective intra-team
interactions, and for defining a sense of direction for the team”. The chapter on team leadership
was informative and, in many ways, thought provoking. While reading this chapter, I continued
to pause and recall the numerous approaches, styles, functions, characteristics, traits, and theories
that were studied and discussed to this point of the course. The theories discussed and presented
in this chapter provided a plethora of foundational information for what is expected of a leader,
what a leader may encounter, as well as tools and helpful hints to overcome challenging
situations. For the record I liked the information however, I concluded that the information is
somewhat “watered down” and “vague” for the modern-day team leader. Hooijberg & Watkins,
(2021) contend in their article on the future of team leadership that to be successful in the new
era, “team leaders must adapt to the four roles of multimodal leadership: conductor, catalyst,
coach, and champion”. As the conductor, the leader will manage goals, decision-making, and
simple planning while establishing trust and rapport with the members of the team. As a catalyst,
the leader uses effective communication to inspire innovation and creativity. The third role of the
leader is that of a coach. In this role, the leader coaches the members of the team to achieve and
attain personal, team, and organizational objectives and goals. The fourth role of the leader is
that of champion. This role allows the leader to step away from the team and to be their advocate
to secure information, resources, and to communicate the team accomplishments. In week one I
mentioned the Marine Corps’ eleven leadership principles. There are no less than four principles
that are directly related to team leadership and team development. Without listing all that are
applicable I will list the two primary principles. The first is, “be technically and tactically
ADAPTIVE, FOLLOWERSHIP, AND TEAM LEADERSHIP THEORIES 4
proficient”. The second is, “train your Marines (and Sailors) as a team”. These eleven principles
have served me well in my personal and professional life while wearing the cloth of the nation as
well as life outside the confines of military structure. I would encourage anyone to review and
apply these principles in their daily life.
Biblical Perspective
Merida, Platt, & Akin (2015) tell a story about how we have different talents and skills
and how some are more talented than others. In reality, we are that different from each other
because we all have a human nature. There are numerous passages in the Bible that correlate to
these three leadership theories. In the Book of Romans, Paul tells us, “For as in one body we
have many members, and the members do not all have the same function” (Romans 12:4 ESV).
Paul is describing that we, as Christians, that we are to serve one another. We are all different
with varying differences and we are to use our skills to support and enhance others before
ourselves. An organization is comprised of many members with differing skills. Utilize the skills
that God has provided to encourage and inspire others. This is further supported in the Book of
Ecclesiastes, “though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three
strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV). There is power in numbers and the group
or organization is stronger together than they are individually. In a final note, we are explicitly
told in in the Book of Genises that we are placed in a position of responsibility over the creation.
“TheFLordFGod took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it”
(Genises 2:15 NIV).
ADAPTIVE, FOLLOWERSHIP, AND TEAM LEADERSHIP THEORIES 5
References
English Standard Version Bible. (2001).
Hooijberg, R., & Watkins, M. (2021). The future of team leadership is multimodal.FMIT Sloan
Management Review,F62(3), 1-4.
McClellan, J. (2022). Post pandemic leadership in Latin America: Responding to wicked
problems using adaptive leadership in organizational contexts.FEstudios De
Administración,F29(1), 52-65.Fhttps://doi.org/10.5354/0719-0816.2022.65372
Merida, T, Platt, D., & Akin, D. (2015).FExalting Je sus in 1 and 2 KingsF(Christ-Centered
Exposition). B&H Publishing Group. ISBN:F9780805496703.
New International Version Bible. (2011). Biblica Inc.
Northouse, P. (2021).FLeadership: Theory and practice. (9th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. ISBN:
9781544397566.
Siangchokyoo, N., & Klinger, R. L. (2022). Shared leadership and team performance: The joint
effect of team dispositional composition and collective identification.FGroup &
Organization Management,F47(1), 109-140.Fhttps://doi.org/10.1177/10596011211019928
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