- by Jane Halford and ChatGPT

As the Edmonton Oilers advance through the playoffs, fans see a team in pursuit of the Stanley Cup. But if you’re leading an organization, there’s something else worth noticing: a real-time example of dynamic leadership under pressure.

Coach Kris Knoblauch is doing what many CEOs are expected to do—but few are empowered to actually deliver: assess, adapt, and act decisively.

This Isn’t Indecision, It’s Dynamic Leadership

In the face of high expectations and intense scrutiny, the Oilers’ coach hasn’t clung to static game plans or rigid loyalties. He’s made lineup changes based on current performance, not past statistics. He’s rewarded readiness, not reputation. And he’s doing it period by period.

This is what dynamic leadership looks like. Not flinching. Not waiting. But observing, deciding, and moving quickly and confidently.

The lesson? Leadership today isn’t about being locked into a long-term playbook. It’s about making the right short-term calls to stay on track to achieve the vision.

The CEO-Coach Parallel

Boards often expect CEOs to be strategic, responsive, and innovative, especially during transition or in volatile environments. But are they given the authority to actually do it?

Like a head coach, a CEO must be able to make critical decisions in real time. They need the freedom to shift priorities, reassign talent, and recalibrate based on what’s happening now, not what was expected.

In the Oilers’ case, the coaching staff has been trusted with that authority. The results speak for themselves.

What Governance Gets Right in This Case

There’s one key governance principle at play here: delegated authority with accountability.

The “board” in this analogy, the team’s senior executives and, ultimately, the owner has made the strategic decision to let the coach lead. That trust enables agility. And it’s paying off.

For real-world boards and executive teams, the message is clear:

• Don’t just hire a CEO—empower them!
• Don’t confuse oversight with micromanagement.
• And don’t ask for innovation while holding leaders back with outdated expectations or rigid protocols.

Final Whistle

Dynamic leadership isn’t chaotic. It’s calculated. It’s what happens when a leader is given the space to act, the clarity to decide, and the trust to perform.

But dynamic leadership doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing. In Game 1 of the Western Conference Final, the Oilers held a two-goal lead heading into the third period—only to see it slip away in a painful overtime loss to Dallas. For leaders, it’s a powerful reminder: even well-timed decisions can produce unpredictable outcomes. What matters next is how a leader responds. Adaptability isn’t just about making changes—it’s about having the composure to reassess and lead through disappointment, too.

Whether you’re cheering a game or active in the boardroom, take a page from the Oilers’ playbook:

Give your leaders the authority to lead—and hold them accountable for the result.

Because when leadership is allowed to move, adapt, and deliver—great things can happen.

Further Reading

The CEO Next Door – The 4 Behaviors That Transform Ordinary People into World-Class Leaders, Elena L. Botelho and Kim R. Powell

How To Be A Dynamic Leader During Changing Times, Forbes

Leadership Is Dynamic: It Takes Many Shapes And Forms, Forbes

5 Principles to Guide Adaptive Leadership, Harvard Business Review

Strategic Leadership: The Essential Skills, Harvard Business Review