Diagnose the Adaptive Challenge: Understanding the Human Dimensions of Change

By: Alexander Grashow and Marty Linsky and Ronald Heifetz

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Synopsis: Adaptive challenges are difficult because their solutions require people to change their ways. Unlike known or routine problem solving for which past ways of thinking and operating are sufficient, adaptive work demands three challenging human tasks: figuring out what to conserve from past practices, figuring out what to discard from past practices, and inventing new ways that build from the best of the past. Your analysis of an adaptive challenge must take into account the human dimensions of the changes required--the human costs, pace of adjustment, tolerance for conflict, uncertainty, and risks, and the resilience of the culture and network of authority and lateral relationships necessary for carrying the organization through the pain of change. This chapter guides you through the diagnostic process. This chapter was originally published as chapter 5 of "The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World."