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Technical vs. Adaptive Challenges

By Randy Ziegenfuss

Immunity to Change: Post #2 — Getting Started

Too often when we think about change, we go for the easy – a technical challenge. The challenge with the most impact, however, will be the adaptive one – “a change you make in yourself that leads to real change and growth.”

Kinds of challenges – Technical vs. Adaptive (Heifetz,1994; Argyris & Schon, 1974)

  • Technical – The skill set needed to address the challenge is known – well practiced and proven. Technical challenges are still important and in need of address. (i.e. fixing a flat tire)
  • Adaptive – The problem is not clearly defined and the solution is not readily available. The challenge can be addressed only by changing mindset. (i.e. losing weight)

The link above outlines a process involving others in helping develop your adaptive challenge.

After reading the post linked above and dug up a conversation I developed for EduCon 2.3 that included the ideas of technical and adaptive challenges and the required shifts in mindset.

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Randy Ziegenfuss
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Randy Ziegenfuss
I've retired from public education after 34 years, most recently as Superintendent. In addition to blogging at WorkingAtTheEdge.org, I co-host two podcasts at TLTalkRadio.org and ShiftYourParadigm.org. Learn more at https://workingattheedge.org/about/.
Randy Ziegenfuss
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About Working At The Edge:

My name is Randy Ziegenfuss, and I'm a retired public school superintendent and a life-long educator with over 34 years experience developing a passion for teaching, learning, leadership and technology. <read more...>

I first came across the phrase working at the edge while learning about the work of Marzano, et al. School Leadership That Works: From Research to Results. In this work, the researchers define 21 responsibilities of the school leader, one being change agent. A change agent is defined as one who is, "...willing to challenge school practices that have been in place for a long time and promoting the value of working at the edge of one's competence."

Randy Ziegenfuss, Ed.D.

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