Versatile Leadership

What is versatile leadership?

Many leaders tend to favor a particular leadership style, which can result in a one-sided and unbalanced approach. However, the complexity of today’s business environment requires leaders to constantly adapt, shift direction, and integrate different—often opposing—leadership styles to achieve success.

Versatile leadership represents a more flexible, situational, and effective approach. A versatile leader is able to balance both directive and supportive styles, as well as strategic and operational approaches—and research shows that versatile leaders are more effective. We help leaders develop their versatility so they can act in a more balanced and impactful way.

Challenges for leaders do not only arise from areas needing development—strengths can also become weaknesses if overused. A balanced approach helps leaders understand when they have crossed this line. It also provides insight into what they are doing well—and what needs improvement for greater effectiveness. With this, you receive direct feedback on four key aspects of your leadership style:

Directive leadership: The leader must be able to step in and take charge, provide necessary feedback, and hold people accountable when needed.
Supportive leadership: At the same time, the leader must know when to step back, show trust, empower others, and create space for contribution—especially when solutions are not immediately clear.
Strategic leadership: Leaders need to prepare the organization for the future by setting direction, supporting innovative solutions, and driving long-term growth.
Operational leadership: Simultaneously, the leader must ensure processes and organization are in order and maintain focus on short-term results through execution and efficient workflows.

Why should you be a versatile leader?

Becoming a more versatile leader is crucial for several reasons. First, in a constantly changing world, leaders must adapt to different situations, business environments, and employee needs. A versatile leader is flexible and can navigate complexity, manage change effectively, and drive innovation.

Additionally, versatility in leadership is necessary to balance conflicting demands and expectations. Leaders often need to reconcile decisiveness with responsiveness or strategic thinking with attention to operational details. Versatile leadership helps balance these demands for more effective performance.

Finally, versatility contributes to personal growth and development as a leader. By developing a broad range of skills and styles, leaders become more competent, confident, and ready to handle any challenge they may face.

Striving to become a more versatile leader is therefore an important investment—not only for your own career but also for your organization’s success.

How do we work with versatile leadership at LEAD?

At LEAD we use the Leadership Versatility Index (LVI) as a fundamental method for developing versatile leaders. The LVI is a comprehensive, evidence-based tool that measures a leader’s ability to balance seemingly contradictory behaviors—such as being forceful yet responsive or both strategic and operational.

Our approach with LVI begins with an in-depth 360-degree assessment where both the leader and employees evaluate current behaviors and performance. This assessment provides us with detailed insights into where the leader excels—and where there is room for improvement.

With specific feedback from the LVI we can target our coaching and development efforts to help leaders achieve better balance between different styles. The ultimate goal is for leaders to switch between styles depending on the situation—and thus become more effective and versatile.

At LEAD we believe that a versatile leader is an effective leader. That’s why we work hard to develop versatility through our deep and personalized approach—supported by the LVI method.

What does an LVI report look like?

A simple model of leadership complexity

In a recent study, leaders were rated twice on the same behavior—once on a five-point scale and once on a “too little/too much” scale. Nearly one-third of the top scores actually meant “too much”!

A more useful scale

The “too little/too much” scale reveals the difference between strengths and overplayed strengths—and highlights areas where increasing certain behaviors could make you even more effective.

The feedback from the LVI is clear and actionable—enabling both leader and coach to get straight to work making adjustments that will guarantee real impact.

No guesswork required

The “too little/too much” scale removes guesswork from leadership development—you no longer have to wonder what to do with a score of 3.75! Leaders get clear feedback on what needs dialing up or down for optimal balance.

Practical advice — not judgment

LVI avoids superficial judgments about what a leader does well or poorly—instead focusing on specific adjustments needed for greater effectiveness. Feedback isn’t presented as grades but as behaviors and skills to learn, refine, and apply.

How we can help you

We offer leadership and organizational sparring sessions, research-based education and presentations on versatile leadership as well as training programs specifically focused on equipping you with general management competencies.

See examples of our services here:

Presentations

Inspirational research-based presentations on versatility for all levels within your organization.

Sparring

Advisory support regarding your leadership development or key decisions/initiatives.

Workshops

Facilitation of active workshops focused on competence development at management or executive level.

Would you like to learn more about what we can do for your organization?

Are you facing organizational change? Do you need strategic advice or a leadership development program?

Contact us so we can tailor a program that develops exactly those competencies and structures needed to strengthen and future-proof your organization.

Maja Nyboe Bjerrehuus

Chief Consultant
Cand.Merc.(psyk.)

Mobile: +45 28 34 19 65
Email: mb@lead.eu