A presentation I did for the Army Learning Production Team on the 18 August 2017.. In this presentation I drew the Adaptive Leadership theory and how by using this theory leaders can more effectively review and control their behaviour and actions. I ran an activity that looked at the concept of the Balcony and the Dancefloor to allow a safe place for people to think about this theory. I also provides a short factsheet summarising the Authentic Learning that were applied within the course. Thread Bare Grylls group presentation video is referenced in this presentation.
In keeping with the spirit of Reconciliation, I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands where QUT now stands – and recognise that these have always been places of teaching and learning.
I wish to pay respect to their Elders – past, present and emerging – and acknowledge the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the QUT community.
Our QUT MBA program has prides itself on three differentiating factors:
Our leadership program – leadership sits at the centre of our MBA and we have three specific units that our Associates work through during their journey to adapt and grow their skills. Our Associates are supported by our unique and dynamic senior coaches throughout their journey to guide them with their leadership journey
Our small interactive classes - our classes are 40 or fewer Associates and are delivered in a workshop format. Our Associates come to class having read or engaged in material and activities and are set tasks in which they work through during their sessions to further deconstruct the theory
Our real world content – our assessment pieces and classroom material changes and adapts to what is happening in the world
Today I’m going to tell you a little bit about a new unit we have developed this year that ties in truly with that theme, Adaptive Leadership.
The workshops were designed to build, adapt and extend current QUTMBA learnings and apply the Adaptive Leadership theory to provide the Associates with a new lens to think about.
The five workshops were purposely scaffolded at specific times to provide Associates with the opportunity to check in with potential roadblocks and discuss groupwork and individual expectations .
Individual personal blogging and journaling has been a key aspect right the way through that has carried on from another unit. Associates were expected to regularly reflect on the journey. These reflections are integrated into their assessment pieces.
For each session with the prework and questions communicated clearly leaving the individual Oxfam groups to set their own specific goals, plan their training and fundraising.
Moving between the Balcony and Dance Floor is a metaphor that originates with Ron Heifetz of Harvard University. It asks people to consider adaptive challenges through taking 2 viewpoints on them.
From the Dance Floor where the action, friction, noise, tension and activity are occurring. Ultimately, the place where the work gets done.
From the Balcony where you gain distance and perspective, seeing the big picture and observing the different interactions of individuals and groups, where you can achieve a greater awareness and knowledge of the larger landscape.
When you move back and forth between Balcony and Dance floor you can continually assess what's happening in your organisation and take corrective mid course action. The skill lies in being able to do both almost in tandem. If you perfect this skill you might even be able to do both simultaneously: keeping an eye on the events happening immediately around you and the other eye on the larger picture, pattern or dynamics. To quote Heifetz:
“Without the capacity to move back and forth between the field of action and the balcony, to reflect day to day, moment to moment, on the many ways in which an organisation's habits can sabotage adaptive work, a leader easily and unwittingly becomes a prisoner of the system. The dynamics of adaptive change are far too complex to keep track of, let alone influence, if leaders stay only on the field of play.”