MNDAKSPAN Conference February 28, 2015
Leading in Times
of Change
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“Be the change you want to see”-Ghandi
You are a leader….whether you want to be or
not
http://www.ted.com/talks/drew_dudley_everyday_leadership
Handout…..
Lollipop Leader• What resonated with you about what Drew
Dudley and Marianne Williamson said?
• How can you see yourself putting this concept to practice?
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Adaptive LeadershipFive Big Ideas
• Difference between technical and adaptive work• Productive range of tension• Work avoidance as a signal of being outside the
productive zone• Reflecting in action• Difference between role of authority and the
exercise of leadership
Skill #1:The most common cause of leadership failure
is treating an adaptive problem with a technical fix.Learn to recognize adaptive work.
Technical Problems vs Adaptive Challenges
Technical• Easy to identify• Often lend themselves to quick,
easy solutions• Can be solved by an authority
or expert• Requires change in just one or a
few places• Either/Or thinking• Solutions can often be
implemented quickly (by edict)
• Example – take lisinopril for your blood pressure
Adaptive• Difficult to identify (easy to deny)• Requires changes in values, beliefs,
roles, and approaches to work• People who have the problem do the
work of solving it• Requires change in numerous places
often crossing organizational boundaries
• Both/And thinking• Solutions require new discoveries, new
skills and can take a long time to implement
• Example - lifestyle change to exercise, eat right and be stress-free
Either/or
One right answerWhen you are right,
those who disagree are wrong!
Both/and
More than one right answer
When you are right, those who disagree may also be right
“Either/or” “Both/and” thinking
Adaptive Challenges
Adaptive Leadership
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Polarities
• In all difficult, wicked or adaptive problems
• Power and truth in both aspects• “AND” is the key• Either taken to extreme alone is
nonsense
Standardize Customize
System
Holding both in tension = managing a polarity
Local
Quality Finance
Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ
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Productive Range of Tension
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Productive Range
Threshold of learning
Limit of tolerance
Time
Ten
sio
n o
f c
ha
ng
eHuman Systems
Based on R. Heifetz. and M. Linsky. Leadership on the Line, Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA,2002, pg. 108.
I understand the reality of my condition.I am looking to you for guidance and honesty.I understand what I need to do.
I don’t want to hear any more bad news.I can’t make sense of any of this.I am so terrified I don’t understand a word you are saying.
I came for a pill
Skill #3: Learn to spot work avoidance and interpret it.
Productive Range
Threshold of learning
Limit of tolerance
Time
Tensi
on o
f ch
ange
The Work
What People Will Not Tell You, Their Behavior Will Reveal
Blame others, distract attention, denial
Blame others, distract attention, denial
Distress
Distress
Based on Heifetz, Ronald A. and Marty Linsky. Leadership on the Line, Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA,2002, pg. 108.
Skill #4: Reflect in Action
See patterns Get insights
Reevaluate assumptions See new connections
Disengaged Checked out Not relevant
Make others feel manipulated
Can’t see big pictureForget what the work is
Exhaust self with business
EngagedBuild credibility
Understand the work and what it is asking of people
Feel what others feel
Progress on Adaptive Work
Problem keeps recurring
Balcony Dance Floor
GAP
+ +
_ _
Reflecting in Action
Over focus on the Balcony
Over focus on the Dance Floor
“To be understood, seek first to understand”
-St. Francis of Asisi
o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDDWvj_q-o8
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Skill #5: Develop your ability to influence others.
Authority vs Leadership
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Exercising adaptive leadership is
different
Than having formal or informal authority.
-People may occupy positions of authority without ever leading their organizations through difficult but needed adaptive change. "Apres moi le deluge"
-They frequently protect their authority and fail to mobilize their followers so that they: - minimize the losses the followers will need to live with - point at “others” who must do the changing- deny or delay facing what needs to change.
Exercising leadership to do adaptive work means…
Disappointing people’s expectations (that things will stay the same)
at a rate they can tolerate.( and not ignore you or try to silence
you or resist in infinitely creative ways )
Adaptive LeadershipFive Big Ideas
• Difference between technical and adaptive work• Productive range of tension• Work avoidance as a signal of being outside the
productive zone• Reflecting in action• Difference between role of authority and the
exercise of leadership
Our Goal
• Enhance capacity to exercise leadership• Build a framework to help others make progress on
tough problems• Support you in your role as a leader when you get
back home.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GYYle0hTUc&feature=kp
The Heart of Health CareIs Relationship
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