Adaptive Leadership
  • Introduction
    • The Setting
    • The Challenge
  • The Stakeholders
    • Wants
    • Losses
    • Loyalties
  • Leader Preparation
    • Informal Authority
    • Finding Allies
    • Enlisting Opposition
    • Enlisting Authority
    • Protecting Casualties
    • Orchestrating Conflict
  • Changing the Culture
    • Current Culture
    • Culture Change Strategies >
      • Urgency
      • Guiding Team
      • Change Vision
      • Communicate
      • Empower
      • Short-term Wins
      • Don't Let Up
      • New Culture
  • Reflections
    • Dr. Wildermuth's Blog
  • Bibliographic References

Class 3: Teamwork & Leadership

6/24/2010

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Teamwork.  When teams are productive, the results can be almost magical.  At best, team members take turns bringing good ideas, polishing old ones, helping one another think. 

I left class today wondering how well the class teams are "gelling."  I know I can't see it all - there could easily be problems under the surface. What is my role in all this?

As I write this I wonder if, once again, I am failing to "practice what I preach."  Today we talked about the myth of the "almighty leader" - the idea that a leader-hero can solve all problems.  We discussed the complexity of adaptive problems and the power (and tenacity) of a system.  "The leader can only solve problems on his/her own," I suggested, "when the problems are technical - when the leader knows the answers."

Team success, however, requires adaptation. Team adaptation.  People must learn to build a common vision, design a team process, and share information productively.  People must learn to trust one another and encourage one another. It's hard work.  I cannot solve team problems on my own any more than I can "make" someone learn.

So what should I do? Should I let it go? Leave people to their own devices? Hope for the best?

As I write this blog I realize that leaving people to their own devices would represent an abdication of leadership.  So no - I probably shouldn't ignore any warning bells. What I probably should do is bring this to the balcony.  The class as a whole could embrace one more opportunity for leadership. One more chance to use the class as a laboratory for real life.

Note to self: Next balcony (a.k.a. class) we examine teamwork! And perhaps... who was it that offered moderation services? Negotiators and moderators, you're about to take on a new project!
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    Dr. Cris Wildermuth

    Dr. Wildermuth (a.k.a. Cristina Abreu Fialho de Mello e Souza Wildermuth) is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She is happily married to Mel Wildermuth (a guy whose originality makes her look unimaginative) and has a beautiful 13-year old daughter, Maggie.  A recovering workaholic, Dr. Wildermuth has been trying hard to take some time off on weekends.  She enjoys blogging, reading stupid books, and spending time with her family.

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