John Bull on Adaptive Leadership

Executive Summary - The Idea in Brief

“If the pace of change within an organisation is slower than the pace of change in its environment – it will become irrelevant.”

In any time of significant disruptive change, some organisations adapt, some die or fade, and some new organisations emerge with a DNA better adapted to thrive in the current environment. It is surprising, and should be a warning to all of us, how quickly a dominant position can fade when the world changes. We are obviously all facing multiple drivers of disruptive change. Geopolitical forces, trade tariffs, technological advances like AI, climate change, and a sluggish economy. Some of these changes, like AI, are emotive. Creating conflict and making it even harder to align on a solution people buy into. Leading adaptation is not easy. The skills required are very different to those that serve us well in more stable times, and there are several traps that can inhibit us. Fortunately, there are some standout organisations and leaders who can teach us a lot about how to not only survive but thrive in an environment of constant change.

We define adaptive leadership as the mindset, skills and practices that enable organisations to respond effectively to changes in their external environment.

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Adaptive Leadership : Building your capacity to thrive in a disruptive environment

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