271 Kevin Eikenberry - Flexible Leadership

Kevin Eikenberry is a world‑renowned leadership and remote‑work expert, bestselling author, speaker, consultant, and coach, and proudly serves as Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group, which he founded in 1993. With roots on a Michigan farm and a B.S. from Purdue, Kevin learned early lessons in values, work ethic, and trust. He's the co‑founder of The Remote Leadership Institute and creator of Signature programs like From Bud to Boss and the Long‑Distance Leader series. Twice named by Inc.com as a Top 100 Leadership Expert and recognized by Global Gurus and AMA, he empowers leaders to turn potential into impact. A storyteller at heart, Kevin inspires audiences to embrace learning as play.

In this episode, Jason and Kevin discuss:

• What it means to lead with gratitude in uncertain times
• The core concept behind Kevin’s new book, Flexible Leadership
• Why rigid leadership styles are becoming increasingly ineffective
• The danger of over-identifying with your leadership "type"
• Practical ways leaders can flex and adapt based on context

Key Takeaways: 

• Leadership must evolve to keep pace with a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world. What worked yesterday may not work today—adaptation is no longer optional.
• Flexibility isn’t about compromising your values—it’s about staying rooted while shifting your methods. Just like a tree bends with the wind but stays grounded, effective leaders adjust without losing their core.
• Locking yourself into a single leadership style can limit your effectiveness. True growth comes when you move beyond your default behaviors and respond to what the moment truly requires.
• Engaging with your team on a deeper level is essential, especially in uncertain times. Trust and collaboration flourish when leaders listen, involve others, and stay open to feedback.
• “It depends” can be a leadership superpower. Taking a moment to assess the true context before acting leads to wiser, more impactful decisions.

“We have to be able to think differently about how we lead in any given moment—especially when it challenges our comfort zones, past experiences, or auto-responses. We must move beyond those defaults to lead in a way that fits the moment and gives us the best chance of success, even if it’s not what we prefer, are used to, or feel comfortable with. That’s what flexible leadership is—going beyond our auto-responses.” - Kevin Eikenberry

Claim Kevin's free gift to boost your confidence and leadership skills: https://kevineikenberry.com/gift

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