Leadership is undergoing a seismic shift. The traditional, hierarchical model—where authority flows from the top and communication is tightly controlled—is giving way to a more adaptive, human-centered approach. In a recent interview for Authority Magazine, leadership expert Karen Hough, ImprovEdge Founder and CEO, shares what this new model looks like, and how it better meets the demands of today’s unpredictable business world.

At the core of this new leadership paradigm are six key behaviors: vulnerability, curiosity, adaptability, intentionality, competence, and humor. These traits aren’t just “nice to have”—they’re necessary in a world where information moves fast, change is constant, and employee engagement depends on trust and connection.

Vulnerability: Lead by Going First

Gone are the days when leaders needed to project unshakable certainty. The new portrait of leadership embraces vulnerability as a strength. When leaders admit they don’t have all the answers, they open the door for innovation and collaboration. This creates a culture where others feel safe to speak up, take risks, and share ideas.

Curiosity: Stay Open to Learning

Curiosity is the engine of modern leadership. Instead of relying on past expertise, effective leaders constantly ask questions, listen deeply, and seek to understand what’s changing—both inside and outside their organizations. Hough shares a compelling example of a logistics company that scaled by consistently treating every customer comment as an opportunity to learn and improve.

Adaptability: Pivot with Purpose

Adaptability isn’t just about reacting to change—it’s about embracing it with purpose. In the face of supply chain challenges, for instance, one manufacturer formed an unlikely partnership with a competitor to keep business moving. This kind of improvisational thinking is becoming essential for survival, let alone success.

Intentionality: Be Aware of Your Impact

Every action a leader takes—every tone of voice, every pause, every facial expression—sends a message. Intentional leadership means being aware of those signals and choosing them carefully. Many organizations use tools like personality assessments to help leaders understand how they show up, and how small shifts in behavior can dramatically improve team dynamics.

Competence: Know Enough to Empower Others

Leaders don’t need to be the smartest person in the room. But they do need to be competent enough to recognize talent, ask good questions, and make informed decisions. Competence also means knowing when to step back and let experts lead in their areas—especially in highly technical or regulated fields.

Humor: Build Connection Through Humanity

Finally, humor—used appropriately—is a powerful leadership tool. It builds connection, eases tension and makes space for learning from failure. Hough describes leaders who use lightheartedness and self-deprecation to make their teams feel safe and motivated, especially in high-stakes environments.

Leadership for a New Era

This new portrait of leadership is less about command and control, and more about connection, creativity, and trust. It asks leaders to show up fully human: curious, flexible, and courageous enough to learn in real time. It’s not always comfortable—but it’s what today’s organizations and teams truly need.

If you’re in a leadership role today, ask yourself: Which of these six traits am I modeling? And which one could I lean into more?

View the complete article: https://medium.com/authority-magazine/the-new-portrait-of-leadership-karen-hough-of-improvedge-on-which-legacy-ideas-about-leadership-604187fd76e6