10 Leadership Virtues for Disruptive Times

Great leaders are not born; they are made through purpose, adaptability, and a commitment to lift their people in times of chaos and change.

1. Leadership in a World of Disruption

The pandemic altered work environments globally, forcing a reevaluation of traditional leadership models. Remote work became the norm, demanding flexibility from both leaders and employees. The old playbook of strict office hours and on-site management faltered in these new conditions.

Tom Ziglar introduces the concept of Coach Leadership - a style built on trust, empathy, and a focus on personal growth. In a remote world, this empathetic approach ensures that teams not only stay productive but thrive personally and professionally. Leaders must adapt by offering support, focusing on well-being, and redefining how success is measured beyond hours worked.

For example, Zoom meetings became the main way to connect, illuminating the need for more engaging communication methods. Leaders began to respect work-home boundaries, offering flexibility like never before. Technology disruptions like AI and VR also signaled the importance of staying adaptable for future challenges.

Examples

• Leaders encouraged weekly "virtual social hours" to foster team connections.
• Flexible work hours helped employees balance home and work tasks, boosting morale.
• Some companies introduced training programs for AI-awareness to prepare their teams for technological changes.

2. Create an Inclusive Atmosphere

The atmosphere a leader cultivates can determine the team's satisfaction and success. A welcoming environment, particularly important for remote workers, bridges emotional gaps and helps individuals feel connected.

Coach Leaders promote an “Us and We" mindset over “I and Me,” giving everyone a voice. They focus on more than just results, emphasizing growth and holistic well-being. This includes considering employees' personal lives, mental health, and individual goals. When a team feels safe and valued, collaboration flourishes.

Simple practices like including remote workers in key decisions or tailoring communication styles to fit personality types can have a tremendous impact. This proactive growth environment fights feelings of isolation among virtual teams.

Examples

• Managers who hold one-on-one virtual meetings ensure every team member feels heard.
• Celebrating individual wins during team calls uplifts morale.
• Balanced “wheels of life” help employees maintain harmony between career and personal well-being.

3. Adopt a Selfless Leadership Style

Leadership should not be about self-interest. Choosing to serve others fosters trust and respect within a team. Selflessness, combined with active listening, transforms leadership into a partnership.

Leaders succeed when they understand employees' motivations and encourage their growth. Selfless leaders listen without judgment, admit mistakes when wrong, and prioritize open dialogue. This behavior strengthens bonds and prevents team dynamics from turning transactional.

As an example, admitting when you make errors shows humility and inspires others to do the same. Asking employees about their deeper goals – like family aspirations or personal dreams – unveils what really drives them. Offering the proper support prompts better commitment levels.

Examples

• Hosting forums where employees can share ideas without hesitation improves trust.
• Apologizing publicly when leadership errors are made fosters respect.
• Helping employees develop career paths aligned with their skills boosts loyalty.

4. Respect Fuels Collaboration

Respect isn’t just essential in leadership; it’s transformative. Leaders earn respect by demonstrating it. Coaching Leaders listen actively, celebrate all contributions, and create platforms where everyone feels acknowledged.

Respect ensures diverse perspectives are valued. It fosters collaboration and eliminates office toxicity such as gossip. In virtual or remote spaces, respect builds community and reduces feelings of anonymity. Encouragement and meaningful recognition go a long way, often serving as better motivators than criticism.

When a manager acknowledges even the smallest team success, it creates goodwill across departments. A no-gossip policy ensures everyone channels energy into achieving shared goals, creating trust-filled collaboration frameworks.

Examples

• Team shout-outs in group chats motivate employees to contribute more.
• Banning workplace gossip helps build trust among colleagues.
• Surveys allow employees to voice their opinions anonymously, ensuring diverse perspectives are addressed.

5. The Power of Self-Control

Leaders face pressure and criticism regularly. Responding calmly, instead of with anger or defensiveness, shows emotional intelligence—a cornerstone of self-control. Learning to pause, reflect, and then act prevents emotional reactions from derailing progress.

Practicing self-control also calls for setting a strong internal narrative based on purpose and service. Discipline is contagious. When a leader remains composed, the team mirrors this strength. Composure during difficult moments, like tense team meetings, influences how peers view you.

Developing self-control is a work in progress. Slow-react tactics like journaling help one better understand emotional triggers and workplace interactions.

Examples

• Taking three calming breaths before responding in conflicts prevents impulsive reactions.
• A leader who apologizes after overreacting builds credibility.
• Journaling helps process criticism constructively, avoiding resentment.

6. Positive Leadership Inspires

Positivity transforms a group’s attitude, especially during challenging projects. When Coach Leaders celebrate small wins and encourage optimism, teams grow more motivated and resilient.

Team leaders should focus on shifting perspectives. Instead of problems, view challenges as opportunities for creative problem-solving. When the leader exudes hope and determination, it spreads quickly through their people.

Introducing gratitude practice into team culture reflects this positivity. Publicly commending employees for dedication or highlighting meaningful contributions boosts group morale.

Examples

• Starting meetings with a five-minute gratitude share uplifts teams.
• Highlighting lessons learned from failures creates a growth-oriented mindset.
• Framing setbacks as "experiments" removes fear of failure.

7. Perseverance Makes Progress Possible

Leaders face setbacks daily. Success requires not just endurance but clarity on greater goals. Perseverance is a blend of patience and passion.

Take big goals, for example. Leaders succeed when they break them down for their teams into manageable increments, celebrating every stage of progress. They also adapt; when one approach fails, perseverance means looking for alternatives.

Flexibility in strategies motivates innovation while simultaneously reducing feelings of being stuck. The key to perseverance is fueling enthusiasm during stuck phases and tolerating discomfort with purpose.

Examples

• Setting “micro-goals” for team members keeps long-term projects on track.
• A manager who adapts their problem-solving tactics when traditional solutions fail models resilience.
• Celebrating every quarter milestone keeps motivation consistent.

8. Technology Necessitates Adaptation

With AI, automation, and VR reshaping industries, modern leaders must encourage proactive learning in their teams. It’s vital to prepare for technological changes.

Educating employees regularly about technology not only boosts innovation but ensures no one gets left behind. A prepared team is an adaptable team. Leaders can incentivize regular upskilling or hold workshops on predictable trends.

The workplace will evolve faster than expected. Coaching Leaders anticipate and adapt with their people, making such transitions less intimidating.

Examples

• Hosting webinars to teach employees about AI applications instills confidence in tech use.
• Offering certifications through partnerships with online courses keeps staff competitive.
• Incorporating virtual reality into training boosts engagement.

9. Love Lifts Leadership

Lastly, Coach Leadership involves love—not sentimentality, but a commitment to empowering those you lead. When leaders genuinely care for their people, collaboration improves, and more productive relationships are formed.

Remote culture highlights emotional intelligence in leadership. Leaders need to create moments where connection thrives, whether through thoughtful emails or personal conversations. This reinforces the idea that employees are valued beyond their output.

When nurtured by love, teams become confident, empowered, and less afraid to take risks.

Examples

• Sending personalized client appreciation notes fosters goodwill.
• Sponsoring health-benefit programs shows regard for holistic care.
• Regularly checking in about personal well-being encourages openness.

Takeaways

1. Replace command-and-control leadership methods with empathetic, human-centered models such as Coach Leadership.
2. Foster positivity, self-control, and respect to promote better team dynamics and inspiration.
3. Embrace technology and offer resources for teams to grow alongside disruptions without fear.