International Journal of Public Administration and Policy Vol.
No.
2, 2025, pp.
E-ISSN 3089-9451.
DOI: https://doi.
org/10.
58290/ijpap.
Adaptive Leadership in the Dynamics of Business in the Digital Era Uswatul Hasanah1.
Fakhrur Rozi2 Universitas Indonesia Mndiri.
Lampung Selatan.
Indonesia Universitas Indonesia Mndiri.
Lampung Selatan.
Indonesia
Article Info
ABSTRACT
Article history:
In the digital era, characterized by rapid and unpredictable changes, adaptive leadership has become crucial for organizational sustainability.
This study aims to examine the importance of adaptive leadership in facing business dynamics, the key characteristics required of adaptive leaders, implementation strategies, and the challenges involved.
A descriptive qualitative method was used through a literature review approach.
The results indicate that adaptive leaders must possess a clear vision, flexibility, strong communication skills, and the courage to make decisions amid uncertainty.
Key strategies include training programs, encouraging innovation, and fostering team involvement.
The main challenges are resistance to change and limited resources.
In conclusion, adaptive leadership is not only a competitive advantage but also a necessity in addressing the challenges of the digital business landscape.
Received July 18, 2025 Revised July 20, 2025 Accepted July 25, 2025 Keywords:
Adaptive Leadership Business Dynamics Digital Era Organizational Change Strategic Innovation This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA Corresponding Author:
Uswatul Hasanah1 Universitas Indonesia Mandiri.
Lampung Selatan.
Indonesia Email: uswatulhasanah238@gmail.
INTRODUCTION
The rapid development of digital techonology has brought significant changes to the busines world.
Innovations such as artificial intelligence,big data, cloud computing, and automation have transformed how companies oprate, interact with customers, and compete in the global marketplace.
Companies are required not only to keep up with techonological trends but also to adapt quickly to changing consumer needs, new work patterns, and competitive pressures from more agile digital companies.
This situation presents a significant challenge for organizational leadrs.
Traditonal, rigid, hierarchical leadership is No longer adequate to address the uncertainty and Journal homepage: https://journal.
id/index.
php/ijpap A E-ISSN 3089-9451 complexity of todayAos business world.
Therefore, the need for adaptive leadership has emerged-a leadership approach that emphasizes flexibilitiy, the courage to change, the ability to read situations, and the involvement of all team members in the transformation Adaptive leaders are able to lead in volatile situations, make strategic decisions quickly, and create an organizational culture open to innovation.
This type of leadership is not only crucial for business continuity but also key to organizational success in creating competitive advantage in the digital age.
Through this journal, the author aims to delve deeper into the improtance of adaptive leadership in navigating the dynamics of adaptive leaders, the challenges they face, and strategies that can be implemented to support adaptive leadership in the context of digitalization and onging change.
METHOD
This study employs a descriptive qualitative method with a literature review .
ibrary researc.
Data were collected from various literature sources such as scientific journals, books, reputable articles, and research reports relevant to the topic of adaptive leadership in the context of digital business.
The researcher identified, analyzed, and synthesized findings from at least ten key references that discuss the characteristics of adaptive leaders, implementation strategies, and challenges faced within digital organizational environments.
The research procedure was carried out through several stages, beginning with the identification of problems and research objectives, where the researcher formulated issues related to the urgency of adaptive leadership in responding to business dynamics in the digital era.
Next, secondary data were collected by accessing relevant literature from online databases such as Google Scholar.
ScienceDirect, and other digital libraries.
The following stage involved content analysis using a thematic approach to categorize findings based on main themes such as adaptive leadership characteristics, implementation strategies, and organizational challenges.
Finally, the synthesized results were presented in tables and bar charts to provide clearer visualization of perceptions and the level of importance of each aspect of adaptive leadership.
This method was chosen because it is suitable for exploring social and managerial phenomena in depth and can effectively describe leadership dynamics in a continuously evolving digital era.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In the digital era, which is marked by rapid and unpredictable changes, organizations are not only required to keep up with technological developments but also to adjust their work methods, culture, and overall business strategies.
In such a dynamic environment, the role of leadership becomes critically important.
Traditional leadership styles that are rigid and slow to respond to change are no longer relevant.
Therefore, an adaptive leadership style is neededAione that can adjust to constantly changing conditions, actively engage team members, and promote an innovative and collaborative organizational culture.
The Importance of Adaptive Leadership Adaptive leadership is critically important in the digital era, as todayAos business world is facing rapid, complex, and often unpredictable changes.
These changes can come IJPAP.
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from various directions, including technological advancements, the emergence of new business models, shifting consumer behavior, and even global crises.
In such conditions, organizations need leaders who not only survive but also transform these changes into opportunities for growth.
Adaptive leaders have the ability to adjust their leadership style according to the situation, think flexibly, and make quick decisions based on available information.
They are not stuck in outdated methods but are open to change and continuously encourage innovation within their teams.
Moreover, they foster a responsive organizational culture in which every member feels involved, valued, and ready to collaborate in facing challenges.
With adaptive leadership, organizations are better prepared to deal with disruption, as their leaders can anticipate change, inspire innovation, and navigate uncertainty with well-planned strategies.
Without adaptive leadership, companies may struggle to compete and are likely to fall behind in the face of ongoing developments.
Therefore, adaptive leadership is no longer optionalAiit is essential for any organization that aims to survive and thrive in the digital age.
Characteristics of Adaptive Leaders Below are the main characteristics of adaptive leaders along with expert opinions:
Key Aspect Brief Definition Expert Statement Clear Vision The ability formulate and communicate future goals AiAdaptive leaders provide a compelling picture of the future to anchor change.
An Ai Heifetz & Linsky .
Flexibility Adjusting setrategies and structures AiStrategic flexibility distinguishes firms that survive digital An Ai Kotter Effective Communication Open and two-way information exchange AiOpen dialogue builds trust and speeds up collective An Ai Hackman & Johnson Quick decisionMaking Courage to act amid AiTimely, informed action is the hallmark of adaptive An Ai Yukl Innovation Support Creating a safe climate for AiLeaders must treat innovation as a discipline, not a An Ai Drucker Uswatul Hasanah1.
Fakhrurozi2
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Empathy Sensitivity to team needs and emotions AiEmotional resonance enables leaders to mobilize people through change.
An Ai Goleman .
Bar Chart: Perceptions of Adaptive Leadership Aspects The following bar chart is based on a synthesis of 10 studies on adaptive leadership, illustrating the perceived level of importance of each aspect according to Explanation:
According to Avolio & Hannah .
AiLeadership agility is crucial in fastchanging environments.
An This visualization illustrates that the majority of respondents identified adaptability and vision as the key factors.
Strategies for Implementing Adaptive Leadership The implementation of adaptive leadership within an organization requires structured and comprehensive strategies.
One key approach is to provide training and development programs for team members to enhance their skills and knowledge, thereby preparing them to face new challenges and changes more effectively.
Additionally, fostering a culture of innovation is essential by encouraging experimentation and allowing team members to propose new ideas and explore different approaches without fear of Another important strategy involves collecting regular feedback from team members, which can be used to improve work processes and support better decisionIJPAP.
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The use of digital tools and technologies is also crucial in enhancing work efficiency and effectiveness, enabling teams to adapt more quickly to dynamic changes.
Engaging team members in the decision-making process helps to build a sense of ownership and strengthens their commitment to organizational transformation.
Leaders must also demonstrate flexibility in their strategies and approaches, adjusting them as needed to respond appropriately to evolving circumstances.
Finally, building strong relationships based on trust and mutual respect is fundamental to fostering effective collaboration and navigating organizational challenges in the digital era.
CONCLUSION
Amid the dynamics of business marked by rapid technological advancement, unpredictable market shifts, and global uncertainty, adaptive leadership emerges as a critical factor in ensuring organizational sustainability and competitiveness.
This study affirms that adaptive leaders must possess strategic vision, strong communication skills, flexibility in responding to change, and the courage to make decisions in uncertain Effective strategies for implementing adaptive leadership include developing team capacity through training, fostering a culture of innovation, leveraging technology, and building collaborative working relationships.
Although challenges such as resistance to change and limited resources remain significant obstacles, the adaptive approach enables organizations to respond more effectively and resiliently to change.
Therefore, adaptive leadership is not merely a strategic option but a necessary response to the ever-evolving realities of digital business.
Organizations that successfully adopt this leadership model will be better equipped to manage transformation, drive innovation, and create long-term value in times of uncertainty.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author would like to express deep appreciation and sincere gratitude to Mr.
Fakhrur Rozi.
, as the supervisor, for his valuable guidance, direction, and encouragement throughout the process of writing this journal.
His support was instrumental in helping the author gain a deeper understanding of Adaptive Leadership in Facing Business Dynamics in the Digital Era.
The author also extends thanks to the researchers and experts whose works served as key references in the preparation of this journal, especially those who have contributed significant insights on adaptive leadership.
Appreciation is also given to fellow colleagues for their support in data collection and manuscript preparation.
Without the assistance and contributions from all parties, this journal would not have been completed successfully.
REFERENCES