A method at a device having an antenna and a plurality of parasitic elements, and the device, the method sensing a change in impedance of the antenna; selecting a subset of parasitic element options from a set of parasitic element options based on a stored table of impedances; if the subset of parasitic element options is greater than one, determining a channel quality measure for each parasitic element option within the subset of parasitic element options; and performing a beam steering action based on the change in antenna impedance and channel quality measure if determined, the beam steering action comprising selecting one or more of the plurality of parasitic elements to activate.