Question

What is adaptive work and how is it linked to change?

Answer 1

When both problem and the solution are unclear, new learning is required by all the participants. This situation that leads to a change is called Adaptive work. When our beliefs are challenged and our values that make us unsuccessful become irrelevant, adaptive work is required. Adaptive changes are witnessed in organizations where they restructure, implement new strategies or merge businesses. Adaptive problems are those problems with no ready solutions. There are six guiding principles of adaptive work. They are:

1. Get on the balcony.

Business leaders have to take a perspective as if they were on a balcony. Leaders have to identify problems over values and power, patterns of work avoidance, and the many other reactions to change.

2.  Identify the adaptive challenge.

When organizations cannot learn quickly to adapt to new challenges, they are likely to become extinct. Leaders need to understand this situation well to bring out the change.

3. Regulate distress.

The situation that demands adaptive work is very distressing. The leader should not fail to understand their potential and motivate them.

4. Maintain disciplined attention.

The leader should embrace the diversity in the organization. This diversity brings innovation, facilitate learning process and development

5.Give work back to the people.

Everyone has their own skill set and expertise. When people do not act according to their potential, businesses fail.

6. Protect voices of leadership.

The firm should give a voice to all people if its willing to experiment and learn. This should be taken care of consistently.

Source:

https://msu.edu/course/prr/371/Change%20Management/Adaptive%20Change.html