Adaptive vs. Technical Solutions: A Guide for Leaders

As a leader, you are constantly faced with challenges. Some of these challenges are technical, while others are adaptive. Technical challenges are those that can be solved with a specific solution, such as a new procedure or a new piece of equipment. Adaptive challenges, on the other hand, are those that require a change in behavior or culture.

It is important to be able to distinguish between technical and adaptive challenges so that you can choose the right approach to solving them. Technical challenges can be solved with a relatively straightforward approach, while adaptive challenges require a more complex and nuanced approach.

Technical Challenges

Technical challenges are those that can be solved with a specific solution. These challenges are often easy to identify and define, and the solution is usually clear-cut. For example, if a machine is not working properly, a technical expert can be brought in to fix it.

Technical solutions may require new procedures, training, or data collection. However, they need very little cultural or attitude change to be successful.

Adaptive Challenges

Adaptive challenges are those that require a change in behavior or culture. These challenges are often hard to spot and/or easy to dismiss. They necessitate changes in values, roles, relationships, and beliefs. Adaptive challenges commonly require a new way of looking, learning, and solving the issue at hand.

Adaptive solutions can be harder to adopt because they can be personal or require intentional collective group process to navigate loss or uncertainty.

How to Choose the Right Approach

The first step to choosing the right approach to solving a challenge is to identify the type of challenge you are facing. Is it a technical challenge or an adaptive challenge? Once you have identified the type of challenge, you can choose the right approach to solving it.

If you are facing a technical challenge, you can use a relatively straightforward approach. You can identify the specific problem, develop a solution, and implement the solution.

If you are facing an adaptive challenge, you will need to take a more complex and nuanced approach. You will need to understand the underlying causes of the challenge, develop a plan to address these causes, and implement the plan.

Conclusion

As a leader, it is important to be able to distinguish between technical and adaptive challenges so that you can choose the right approach to solving them. Technical challenges can be solved with a relatively straightforward approach, while adaptive challenges require a more complex and nuanced approach.

By understanding the difference between technical and adaptive challenges, you can be a more effective leader and help your organization to overcome the challenges it faces.