Improve your consulting through the use of Adaptive Leadership and solve both technical and non-technical challenges.

1. Presented by: Jennifer Dye

2.  “Adaptive Leadership is the practice of mobilizing people to
tackle tough challenges and thrive.”
- The Practice of Adaptive Leadership ; Heifetz, Grashow & Linsky
What Is Adaptive Leadership?

3.  Small business owners are often “putting out fires” and may
be prone to a more reactive or authoritative leadership style
 89% of US businesses have 20 or fewer employees; of those
80-90% are family-owned* – familiarity can lead to role
confusion and assumptions regarding responsibilities
 Many challenges are technical, and owners may be
unfamiliar with how to deal with the “fuzzier, squishier
problems” – especially with regards to employees/suppliers
How does it apply to Small Business Advising?
* 2012 US Census Report

4. Can you think of examples?

6.  Leadership of Self
 Adaptive Campaigns
 Thrival
 Community Perspective
 System of Self
 System of
Team/Organization
 Community System
Overview: 3 Systems – 4 Competencies

8. Much of this, we already do, but here are the applications:
 Scope – understand what it is that they are needing from you
and map the systems
 Diagnose – Find out the Presenting Issue(s)
 Mobilize – take Action via coaching, providing resources, etc.
 Evaluate – follow-up and determine Next Steps
Advisors as Adaptive Leaders

9.  Form Gracious Space
 Establish Team Norms
 Invite the Stranger
 Bring the Heat
 Utilize the Balcony View
Key Elements of Adaptive Organizations

10.  “Gracious Space” is an atmosphere of approachability and
mutual respect which invites collaboration
 Establishing Group Norms creates buy-in and a framework for
when things get tough (more than just Policies and Procedures)
 “Inviting the Stranger” encourages diverse opinions
 Bringing the Heat needs to happen in a constructive way and
must be based in openness and trust
 Help them to view their company “From the balcony”
i.e. working on the business vs. in the business
Teaching our Clients to be Adaptive Leaders

11.  Small Business Owners are around longer – 25 years vs. 6
years for a corporate CEO – things can get stale
 Managing Human resources is critical – leadership is a key
element in employee retention and satisfaction
 Engaged employees are more productive
 47% of small businesses have no succession plan – if your
employees are not engaged, who will take over/purchase
your business when you are ready to retire?
 1.2 million US businesses are husband/wife teams
Why does this matter?

12. Questions?
~ Thank You