Perspectives on Change: Ronald A. Heifetz

Summary:

Heifetz identifies two types of challenges in change- adaptive and technical. The technical is defined as solved by the knowledge of experts, whereas adaptive requires new learning. When the problem definition is clear, solution, and implementation is clear this is technical. For the adaptive it is the collective intelligence of the employees at all levels. So, together they learn their way toward solutions.

---“The mark of leadership in the competitive world is leading others in adaptive work.”

In order to lead adaptive change he has identified six principles:

• Get on the balcony-ability to see the big picture

• Identify the adaptive challenge-the leader needs the ability to identify adaptive change when it is called for; address it in order to turn it around

• Regulate distress-to apply stress for change without overwhelming the organization or individuals

• Maintain disciplined attention-attention on the tough issues; identify distractions and refocus the work; people tend to slide back into old behaviors unless focus is maintained; reframing issues gets at the heart

• Give work back to people-getting others to assume responsibility, and be part of the change; leader must encourage and support others

• Protect voices of leadership from below-leaders need to protect rather than squelch those who risk speaking up

Six Principles for Leading Adaptive Change

1. Get on the balcony

a. Leaders need to have distance to see the “big picture”

2. Identify the adaptive change

a. Need to identify the challenge facing the organization in order to address it

b. Confront the brutal facts (Jim Collins, 2001)

3. Regulate distress

a. Do not overwhelm but provide enough tension to maintain urgency

b. Challenge unproductive norms

c. Ask questions rather than give answers.

4. Maintain disciplined attention

a. Must be able to identify distractions and refocus the work

5. Give work back to people

a. Getting others to assume responsibility

b. Instill confidence in others

6. Protect voices of leadership from below

a. Protect rather than squelch those who risk speaking up

b. Need to hear all voices including dissenters

Lastly, Heifetz stresses that educational leaders need to be able to think politically. Leading adaptive challenges requires that we develop a strategy for learning. Our strategy needs to be who needs to learn what, and how.

Political Thinking

(Level 5 Leadership, Jim Collins, 2001)

✭ Personal relationships are key to

successful leadership

✭ Adaptive leadership is based on

political thinking

✭ Develop alliances

✭ Keep the opposition close

✭ Acknowledge the loss and

difficulty

✭ Accept casualties in order to

make progress

✭ Take responsibility for your piece

of the mess