Teamership: The biggest mistake in leadership development
The most common mistake in leadership development is trying to solve an adaptive problem with a technical solution. Photo by Parabol on Unsplash
The biggest mistake in leadership is reflected in the biggest mistake in leadership development.
Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky say that..
“The most common mistake in leadership is trying to solve an adaptive problem with a technical solution.”
Technical challenges can be solved with existing knowledge and capabilities. There is a “right” answer to the challenge. It has been replicated or approximated previously and can be resolved through applying the right skillsets and established best practices.
In contrast, adaptive challenges are systemic. Adaptive challenges do not have one clear and correct answer.
In fact, adaptive challenges often take a long time to properly define in the first place and the question can be as hard to articulate as the solution. Adaptive challenges are more complex challenges that require a response that shifts the status quo.
Responding to adaptive challenges requires improvements in both skillsets and mindsets.
The most common mistake in leadership development is trying to solve an adaptive problem with a technical solution.
We try to support leaders by giving them more tools, frameworks and processes. These are our technical solutions.
We don't support leaders enough by giving them the opportunity to take a position on what great leadership looks like and how they want to lead.
Our leadership development needs to be...
More mindset, less skillset.
More context, less content. MUCH less content.
More principles, less prescriptions.
These are adaptive solutions.
As Nick Petrie points out, it is important "not to force development on someone. [Our] job is to create the right conditions in which someone can grow. Challenge and support, but don’t force".
Here are a few things to consider this week:
Do your leaders need technical or adaptive solutions?
How are you creating the conditions for leaders to grow - without forcing it upon them?