Adaptive Leadership

Professor: Diane Garza

Adaptive Leadership is a practical leadership framework that helps individuals and organizations adapt and thrive in challenging environments. It is being able, both individually and collectively, to take on the gradual but meaningful process of change. We will utilize this framework in order to analyze classmates’ adaptive challenges in their work and help them diagnose and find alternate plans of action.

Based on the reading titled "Adaptive Leadership: Theory Behind the Practice," (provided below) you should identify an adaptive challenge you are facing in your work.

This work is due by November 2, 2018.

Please click the following link to read further instructions on how to identify your adaptive challenge and to submit your work:

https://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/81O0Bq55t2LS0

INSTRUCTIONS:

In preparation for the program, select one important adaptive challenge that you are currently facing in your work. Choose a challenge that you would like to make progress on during the program, and one that you are willing to describe and discuss openly with faculty members and colleagues in the context of the course. Faculty members and fellow participants will receive a copy of your written assignment.

We will illustrate the use of tools and approaches to reformulate challenges and make them more susceptible to progress, demonstrate diagnostic devices through which you can interpret both your behavior and others' in the context of these challenges, and examine as a group how your behavior and others' behavior might be modified to produce better outcomes.

Your written description should be no longer than 300 words. When choosing your adaptive challenge, consider the following:

• The challenge should have a material impact on the performance or success of you and your organization over the next several years.
• The challenge should describe something you think will have a substantial effect on your stakeholders' interests.
• The challenge should be one you expect to impact in a significant way.

You need not reveal the identities of the participants or agencies involved, but you should provide enough description so that others in the program – faculty members and participants – can meaningfully discuss the challenge with you. Our discussions will be "off the record," and we will urge both faculty members and participants to treat them confidentially. Your challenge will not be made public, but will be available for examination and discussion in the program.

When crafting your statement, first describe the problem or opportunity from your perspective. Who are the major players, and (very briefly) what are their major interests? (If you choose, you may change the names of the participants, the names of relevant organizations, and the description of the setting to preserve confidentiality.)

Next, describe as concretely as possible the actions you have taken or intend to take with reference to the challenge you face. If possible, give a brief example of a conversation you have had or expect to have in working on your problem or opportunity.

Finally, pose a question concerning your role and your organization's role, or future actions that you would most like to address.

If you have any questions or comments as you develop your challenge, please contact Diane Garza at diane.garza@georgetown.edu