How Does One Lead for Adaptive Change?
In this month’s e-zine, the distinction was made between technical and adaptive change challenges. They were defined in this way:
A technical change challenge has a skill set that is well known, even if complicated to perform, such as the highly technical expertise of a brain surgeon, the technical skills of an Olympic ice skater, or the strongly embedded pedagogy that supports the work of a master teacher.
On the other hand, an adaptive change challenge can only be met by transforming one’s mindset, by advancing to a more sophisticated level of mental development. It’s how I think about something – what I hold in my head to be true about something.
Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey assert that most of the challenges we meet are adaptive rather than technical. They use weight loss as an example. We all know the technical sides of losing weight as many of us have done it time and again. Getting a plan, writing down what we eat, and exercising are but a few of the technical aspects of losing weight. Therefore, the real challenge is not technical at all . . . it’s adaptive . . . a mindset change. Moving to a healthier lifestyle and seeing food as fuel for our bodies is part of the new mindset necessary for the change we want. So, how do we apply that to our work as school leaders? Here are six principles for leading adaptive change from Ronald A. Heifetz.
- Focus on the Big Picture – Move to the balcony to “see” a larger perspective.
- Confront the Brutal Facts – Is an adaptive change what is required over a technical change? What data exists to support the type of change required?
- Manage Distress – Choose small steps to alleviate becoming overwhelmed, challenge unproductive norms, B-R-E-A-T-H-E!
- Be Intentional – Keep the focus on the work, minimize distractions, and reframe negative to positive and problem to solution.
- Hold Able – Believe in the competence and capability of the team to carry through with the work. Give autonomy to those closest to the action.
- Value all Voices – View all voices including dissenters as leaders of change holding possibility for solutions.
In what ways are you currently leading adaptive change in your work?
