One of the easiest mistakes to make in any leadership role is confusion between yourself and the role you occupy. In adaptive territory when the stakes are high, and you are asking your team to engage in change, that may result in loss- conflict, resistance, and attacks.

Part of the practice of adaptive leadership, however, is to learn – and practice – how to hold steady in the face of rising heat and tension within the group.

One significant way leaders can grow in their capacity to hold steady is by learning how to take the heat, and the most effective way to do that is to externalize the conflict. Just as in a soccer game opponents will chase whoever has possession of the ball, teams will go after whoever “has possession” of the issue that is creating distress. Growing in both clarity and distinction between role and self is essential for long-term success in adaptive territory. It is hugely difficult, but with practice grows easier. 

Exploring the distinction between role and self is just one of the many topics we dive into during our 4-day leadership intensive, The Palladium Forum. To learn more about the Palladium program, check out the link below.