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 the program looks like:
The program includes nine hours of development over three months, delivered live online via Zoom or Teams in six 90-minute workshops.
Workshop 1: Introduction to Adaptive Leadership
Introducing the program, the core concepts, context and purpose. Distinguish Authority and Leadership.
Workshop 2: Identifying Adaptive Challenges
Understand the differences between technical problems and adaptive challenges, identify which is which and lead each appropriately.
Workshop 3: Holding Environments and Distress Regulation
Create and sustain a container for the work to happen (a pot to cook in), turn up the heat in productive ways.
Workshop 4: Give the Work Back
How to make space for everyone to lead and stop them waiting to be rescued.
Workshop 5: Diagnostic Tools
Zoom in and out on an adaptive challenge to make meaningful progress and stop solving the wrong problem.
Workshop 6: Reflections and Further Resources
What has become clearer, what are you still curious about – where to from here.
Example timeline:
The program includes nine hours of development over three months, delivered live online via Zoom or Teams in six 90-minute workshops.
Timing will be agreed well in advance to fit in with everyone’s availability.
What Fiona's clients say…
“When you meet Fiona, you instantly see that she is passionate, pragmatic and fascinated by organisational culture. She is someone that can easily put theory into practical application which is important as you walk away feeling empowered not defeated. I also really enjoy the genuine care she shows and that she doesn’t shy away from the hard questions, feedback and understanding that in reality, changing an organisation’s culture is challenging. The investment of time has been well worth it and I can now name the things I see that I struggled to name previously.”
Lindsay Wilson Barker, Head of People Services, Remuneration & Recognition
“The Leadership Development Program is very useful in connecting me with other leaders, sharing and improving our leadership challenges, using strategies that are practical and relevant to a broad range of industries and roles. Fiona is engaging and focused on ensuring the program provides maximum benefit to each person through a diverse program of activities.”
Sharon Cook, Monash University
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.