Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operate in waters that are often unpredictable. Market currents shift, storms appear without warning, and resources can feel scarce. In such an environment, leadership is more than just about steering the ship; it’s about understanding the ocean. That’s the philosophy behind key frameworks in the book REEF* Transformational Leadership, developed by Professor Ioannis S. Pantelidis, Head of the Department of Hospitality Tourism and Events Management at Ulster University Business School. (*Rhythm, Empathy, Empowerment, and Flow)
Much like a coral reef, slow-growing yet resilient, supporting life through strength and adaptability, effective leadership is about creating ecosystems where people thrive. It’s not a quick fix; it’s a structure that endures. Within this framework lies TENTACLES, a set of traits that team members consistently value in their leaders. These traits are not abstract ideals, they are practical anchors for recruitment, development, and self-reflection.
What is TENTACLES?
TENTACLES is a framework that was derived from multiple focus groups. It can be used during recruitment to identify leadership potential, but it’s equally powerful as a mirror for leaders to check their own style. Each trait is a tentacle, flexible yet strong, helping leaders reach further while staying connected to their core.
Let’s dive into these traits:
1. Tenacity: Purposeful perseverance
Tenacity is tougher than resilience and smarter than stubbornness. It’s the ability to hold course when the waters get rough, without losing sight of the horizon. For SMEs, where uncertainty is the norm, tenacious leaders adapt methods without abandoning values. They inspire confidence by showing that setbacks are temporary, but purpose is permanent, like a reef that withstands storms and regenerates over time.
2. Equanimity: Calm in the chaos
Equanimity is leadership’s ballast. It keeps the vessel steady when waves rise. For SME leaders, this means responding with clarity rather than reacting with panic. Whether facing financial turbulence or team tensions, equanimity creates trust. It’s not about suppressing emotion; it’s about maintaining rhythm beneath the surface, always moving, never chaotic.
3. Navigational skill: Strategic agility
SMEs sail through unpredictable seas. Leaders with navigational skill don’t just drift, they chart a course. They anticipate trends, read the currents, and adjust direction without losing sight of the destination. Like sea turtles crossing vast oceans, they combine foresight with flexibility, guiding teams confidently through complexity.
4. Truth-seeking: Integrity in action
Truth-seeking is the courage to ask hard questions and embrace uncomfortable answers. In SMEs, where decisions echo loudly, leaders must challenge assumptions and welcome feedback. This trait builds cultures of trust and learning, essential for survival and growth. Truth-seeking is not about being right; it’s about being real.
5. Aspiration and accountability: Vision with responsibility
Aspiration is the wind in the sails of any leader; it drives innovation and ambition. But without accountability, it becomes drift. Great SME leaders balance bold vision with grounded responsibility. They set high standards, own outcomes, and lead by example. Ambition without integrity is a storm; ambition with accountability is a voyage.
6. Conviction: Anchored in values
Conviction is the deep current beneath leadership, it gives direction and strength. Leaders with conviction communicate authentically, stand firm in principles, and persist through adversity. In SMEs, where leadership is personal and visible, conviction earns respect and builds resilience.
7. Legacy: Building for tomorrow
Legacy is not about ego, it’s about stewardship. Leaders who think beyond their tenure create systems and cultures that outlast them. They mentor future leaders, embed values, and design structures that endure, like reefs that support ecosystems long after their formation.
8. Ethical Intelligence: Doing the right thing
Ethical intelligence is the compass that keeps leadership true. It’s the ability to make principled decisions when the map is unclear. For SMEs, where every choice shapes reputation, ethical leadership is non-negotiable. It balances empathy, fairness, and courage, even when doing right is inconvenient.
9. Stewardship: Guardianship, not ownership
Stewardship is leadership’s quiet strength. It’s about caring for resources, people, and culture with foresight and humility. SME leaders who lead as guardians, not owners, build trust and continuity. They leave things better than they found them, ensuring sustainability for generations.
Some final thoughts
The REEF Transformational Leadership Framework is not a checklist; it’s a mindset. It invites SME leaders to see themselves not as controllers of outcomes, but as architects of ecosystems. By cultivating traits such as tenacity, equanimity, and ethical intelligence, leaders create teams that are not only successful but also sustainable.
Leadership is not about control, it’s about connection. Like the ocean, it requires depth, rhythm, and respect for the ecosystem you serve.
For SMEs seeking growth with integrity and impact, the REEF model offers more than guidance; it provides a legacy.