Adaptive Leadership: The Heifetz Collection (3 Items)

Beware of making interpretations immediately and aloud, since

this can provoke strong reactions. Interpreting other people’s inten-

tions is best done first inside one’s own head, or with a trusted con-

fidant. Interpreting behavior means looking at more than just the

way people present themselves. Understandably, then, if you pro-

pose alternative explanations for people’s behavior—alternatives to

the messages they want you to adopt—they may get upset. Making

an interpretation is a necessary step. Whether and how you voice it,

however, must depend on the culture and adaptability of your

audience.

Miles Mahoney, an economic development specialist, took on

the job of heading a large state agency in Massachusetts that suffered

a reputation for ineffecti