Leadership Pendulum - To Flex Your Leadership Style
One question we get asked all the time at OverTime Leader is this: what is the best leadership style to follow? The short answer is, it depends.
There are moments when you need to take the steering wheel. You might need to set the direction, make decisions and move things forward. In these moments, you need to be more directive.
In other situations, the better move is to step back. Create space for your team by letting go, empowering them to take the reins. Here, it pays to be more facilitative.
Most leaders naturally lean towards one of these two styles. It’s what feels comfortable, and it’s where you default when things are uncertain.
What we’ve seen over the years is that great leaders are able to move between both without causing friction. They know when to take charge and when to step back, while still staying authentic to themselves as leaders.
At OverTime Leader, we use the Leadership Pendulum to help leaders reflect on how they show up and where they might need to adapt.
At one end of the pendulum is directive: taking control, making decisions and driving action.
At the other is facilitative: letting go, listening, coaching and creating space for others to step up.
Using the Leadership Pendulum helps you understand your default style and find balance. When you are more centred on the pendulum, it becomes easier to shift between styles as a situation changes. Small shifts feel more natural from the middle, rather than swinging between extremes.
Here’s how to recognise your default leadership style and start shifting your style with intention.
What You’ll Need
A printout of the Leadership Pendulum worksheet
Two different coloured pens, plus one for noting down ideas
A quiet space for reflection
10–15 minutes of uninterrupted time
How to use the Leadership Pendulum
Start by marking where your default leadership style sits on the pendulum. Think about where you naturally operate. Do you tend to take control in order to move things forward (directive)? Or do you lean towards creating space, asking questions and allowing others to step in (facilitative)? This will be the place where you naturally lead from, especially in moments of pressure or ambiguity.
Now shift your focus to your current team and situation. What does your team need from you right now? Do they need more clarity, direction and pace? Do they need more space, trust and opportunity to contribute? Be honest here. This is about what will help your team to perform, not what feels most comfortable to you.
Next, identify at least three opportunities where you could shift your position on the pendulum and note these down. Where might you need to dial down your default style? Where could you lean more into the opposite approach? These should be real situations you are currently facing, whether that’s in team meetings, 1:1s or decision-making moments.
As you capture these opportunities, focus on small, practical shifts towards the other side of the pendulum. This might be to ask more questions before giving your view, or making a decision more quickly. The key is that these shifts should feel intentional and different, but still allow you to be authentic as a leader.
Finally, if these behaviours might feel new or different to your team, be open about what you are working on. Let them know you are trying to adapt your style and why. This not only builds trust, but also gives your team permission to support you as you practise.
Use the pendulum regularly as a simple check-in to reflect on how you are showing up and where you might need to adjust.
Enjoy the process.
Gillian
Download The Leadership Pendulum
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