Adaptive Leadership Leader vs Leadership Leader an often

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Adaptive Leadership

Adaptive Leadership

Leader vs. Leadership • Leader - an often overused or misused term to mean

Leader vs. Leadership • Leader - an often overused or misused term to mean a position of authority in a social structure or a personal set of characteristics • Leadership – “The activity of a citizen from any walk of life mobilizing people to solve problems” R. Heifitz, “Leadership without Easy Answers”

Theories of Leadership • The great man theory ØTrait approach • The Situationalist theory

Theories of Leadership • The great man theory ØTrait approach • The Situationalist theory ØThe situation produces the man/woman • The contingency theory Ø Contingent on the needs particular situation • The transactional approach Ø Focus on how influence is acquired All see influence over outcome as a mark of leadership

Approach to leadership Two key distinctions • Technical and Adaptive Problems ØTechnical- routine problems

Approach to leadership Two key distinctions • Technical and Adaptive Problems ØTechnical- routine problems requiring off the shelf solutions Ø Adaptive- no off the shelf solution, no road map, demands innovation and learning to solve problems • Leadership and Authority Ø Used interchangeably but not the same thing ØAuthority is a resource of leadership

Technical vs. Adaptive Challenges SITUATION PROBLEM TYPES DEFINITION Type II Clear Require Learning SOLUTION

Technical vs. Adaptive Challenges SITUATION PROBLEM TYPES DEFINITION Type II Clear Require Learning SOLUTION AND IMPLEMENTATION KIND OF WORK Clear Require Learning Technical Adaptive

Definition of Leadership is doing the adaptive work necessary to mobilize people to tackle

Definition of Leadership is doing the adaptive work necessary to mobilize people to tackle and solve tough problems, while elevating them to a higher moral level

Adaptive Work • “Adaptive work consists of the learning required to address conflicts in

Adaptive Work • “Adaptive work consists of the learning required to address conflicts in the values people hold, or to diminish the gaps between the values people stand for and the reality they face”. • Adaptive work requires a change in values, beliefs, or behavior. R. Heitfitz, ” Leadership Without Easy Answers”

Authority • Formal authority ØConferred by Office, title, Position ØResources comes with the station

Authority • Formal authority ØConferred by Office, title, Position ØResources comes with the station • Informal authority ØAcquired with trust, popularity, demonstrated ability etc. ØLimited resources

Leading with Authority • Provide a holding environment • Command direct attention • Control

Leading with Authority • Provide a holding environment • Command direct attention • Control the flow of information • Power to frame the issue • Orchestrate conflict • Choose the decision-making process

Razor’s Edge • Identify the adaptive challenge • Keep the level of stress within

Razor’s Edge • Identify the adaptive challenge • Keep the level of stress within a reasonable range • Focus attention on boiling point issues • Give the work back to the people • Protect voices of leadership without authority

Leading Without Authority • Flexibility to employ various tactics • Ability to deviate from

Leading Without Authority • Flexibility to employ various tactics • Ability to deviate from the norm • Single issue focus • Front-line Information • Not expected to have answers

Work Avoidance • Blame the leader • Denial • Scapegoating • Externalizing the enemy

Work Avoidance • Blame the leader • Denial • Scapegoating • Externalizing the enemy • Pretending the problem is technical • Attacking individuals rather than issues

Questions? ?

Questions? ?

Presenter’s Bio • President, Haynes, Incorporated, Washington Based Consulting firm, Clients Include: US State

Presenter’s Bio • President, Haynes, Incorporated, Washington Based Consulting firm, Clients Include: US State Department, US AID • Chartered Accountant • MSc. Economics University of Oxford • MPA, Harvard Kennedy School • Email: newtongroup 59@gmail. com