Which of the following best describes the focus of adaptive leadership?

The focus of adaptive leadership is centered on confronting change and helping followers adapt to new circumstances. This leadership style emphasizes the importance of flexibility and resilience in the face of challenges. Adaptive leaders work to identify the underlying issues affecting their organization or team and guide their followers through the process of navigating these complexities.

In doing so, adaptive leadership recognizes that change is a constant and encourages individuals to embrace it rather than resist it. This approach involves fostering a culture of learning, where followers are empowered to share their insights and contribute to solutions, ultimately leading to better organizational outcomes.

The other options suggest a more rigid or competitive approach to leadership. Encouraging strict hierarchy and establishing rigid rules are contrary to the adaptive leadership philosophy, which values collaboration and responsiveness. Fostering competition can also create divisions among followers, which is not conducive to the teamwork that adaptive leadership seeks to promote. Thus, confronting change and aiding followers in adapting is the essence of adaptive leadership.