Adaptive Leadership for
Transformational Impact
A tailored program to help individuals and organisations navigate complex, rapidly changing environments.
Who it’s for:
This program is for leaders who are facing ever increasing levels of ambiguity and a rapidly accelerating pace of change.
They are typically experienced, yet are often finding their previously reliable methods falling short of the demands of the new world.
They could use a chance to press the pause button, get some space to think and learn some useful tools that are perfect for today.
A set of ideas that are specifically relevant to complexity, volatility and uncertainty.
They can’t stop the waves, but they can learn to surf - and take others with them.
Adaptive Leadership is a leadership framework developed by Ronald Heifetz, Marty Linsky and others at the Harvard Kennedy School.
What the program will do:
Adaptive Leadership is a leadership framework developed by Ronald Heifetz, Marty Linsky and others at the Harvard Kennedy School. It equips leaders to address challenges that do not have straightforward, technical solutions and need new learning, innovation and collaboration. It has never been more relevant.
Adaptive Leadership prioritises personal and professional growth and transformation in environments where traditional leadership methods fall short. It’s not just about making decisions or solving problems, it’s about facilitating change and empowering others to thrive in uncertain, volatile and ambiguous conditions.
Focus on complex challenges
Unlike technical problems, which have clear solutions and can often be resolved by an expert, adaptive challenges are complex and involve changing people’s values, beliefs and behaviours.
Encourage experiments
Adaptive Leadership emphasises a willingness to experiment, take risks and adapt strategies based on what works, rather than relying on established methods that don’t.
Mobilise people
Adaptive leaders engage and mobilise their teams and stakeholders to co-create solutions. They guide people through the discomfort of change by addressing resistance and create a shared vision for the future.
Build Resilience
It fosters resilience by encouraging leaders to focus on learning, growth and agility and stop being paralysed by uncertainty or fear of failure.
Sharpen emotional intelligence
Adaptive Leadership builds self-awareness, empathy and the ability to manage relationships effectively. Leaders must be attuned to their own emotions and those of their teams to foster trust and open communication.
Challenge the status quo
It emboldens leaders to ask difficult questions and confront deeply held assumptions that limit growth or innovation.
What Fiona's clients say…
“I can’t thank Fiona Robertson enough for running The Adaptive Leadership Program as part of the John Monash Foundation Leadership Academy program. Fiona has an engaging presentation style and a deep understanding of adaptive leadership principles and the ability to articulate them clearly. She effortlessly explained complex concepts and provided practical tools that our Scholars can use in their leadership journey. The theory of adaptive leadership was paired with time to work on real-life problems. This gave participants the ability to consider their own complex problems and work through what was required to form their own actionable strategies. The Scholars were both inspired and empowered to embrace change and navigate challenging situations with greater confidence.”
Dr Karen McConalogue, Executive Director, Leadership Academy, General Sir John Monash Foundation.
"The big challenges Australia faces are adaptive challenges. Fiona's program gave me a language and framework for thinking about a lot of the work I do in public policy, as well as new tools for understanding and tackling adaptive challenges.”
Kate Griffiths, Chief of Staff, Grattan Institute.
“This dynamic program delivers a practical and nuanced understanding of Adaptive Leadership, empowering all participants to make systemic change”
Hamish Stewart, John Monash Scholar
“Undertaking the six-session Adaptive Leadership course with Fiona was one of very few training programs I have encountered that helped me understand and practice the leadership that is required to address key systems challenges (which are inherently adaptive in nature). I believe this is a critical skill set that is required in our current times. Fiona's facilitation and coaching sessions were excellent and I would highly recommend this program.”
Dr Prashanti Manchikanti, John Monash Scholar
“Fiona's Adaptive Leadership Program provides excellent strategies of how to lead in our increasingly uncertain world. For anyone in an informal or formal leadership role in complex industries, I'd recommend this insightful course for you.”
Tom Jenkins, Renewables, 2020 John Monash Scholar
“Fiona was incredible to work with. The attention to learning and development of each person in the program was appreciated. Fiona is able to support and challenge executives in all stages of the Adaptive Leadership Program.”
John Monash Scholar Program participant
Want to learn more?
If you would like to schedule a conversation with Fiona to discuss further, please email Chloe at chloe@fionarobertson.com to arrange a suitable time that works for you.