I can remember the day I first read The Practice of Adaptive Leadership (Heifetz, Linksky, and Grashow, 2009) in which they described two kinds of challenges: technical and adaptive. As an engineer, I tended to approach all challenges with traditional problem solving: define the problem, identify solutions, minimize barriers, implement with best practices like SMART goals, clear objectives, and well-planned timelines.
However, the challenges I was addressing were adaptive challenges – where the solutions were not known. They were very complex issues like underage drinking among youth who were experiencing significant trauma and difficult environments. Or traffic safety issues that had multiple factors – none with a straightforward solution. Or the incredibly difficult work of the child welfare system – a complex interplay of courts, judges, lawyers, social workers, and families in an environment of poverty, racism, interpersonal violence, and historical trauma where often there are no “good” options.
Adaptive leadership proposes that we approach these complex challenges differently. The “solution” is not known, so we have to find the right questions to ask and hold, thus creating the space for new, bold solutions to emerge. We need to lean into conflict as conflict may push us into new ways of thinking. We should engage new, diverse stakeholders who can bring different perspectives. And, we must constantly focus on learning and adapting.
This is hard. Problem solving approaches are easier. Adaptive approaches require more collaboration which requires new skills. Attempts may fail, and navigating failure can be discouraging. And, adaptive approaches require me to be vulnerable as a leader and be more confident to say “I don’t know how to solve” this complex issue.
This is precisely why we started Banyan Collaborative. We know that navigating adaptive challenges requires collaboration and that collaboration can be hard. That is why we choose to use an appreciative, generative frame; why we use a process to guide the next steps, and why we focus on growing skills (like emotional intelligence).
Are you facing adaptive challenges? Are you shifting how you approach them to be more effective? Please contact us if you would like to explore how we could assist you.