Adaptive Leadership
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
Proposed by Ron Heifetz. It distinguishes between technical challenges (which have existing solutions and can be solved by experts) and adaptive challenges (which have no ready-made solutions and require changes in values and habits). Adaptive leadership focuses on mobilizing people to tackle difficult problems that touch upon values.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Pitfall avoidance: The biggest mistake a leader can make is trying to solve an adaptive challenge (such as political infighting between departments) with a technical solution (such as buying new software).
Anchor fast decisions
Heifetz proposes that leadership is about mobilizing people to face adaptive challenges rather than technical problems.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex_adaptive_leadershipverified
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