Adaptive Leadership: The Heifetz Collection (3 Items)

46 Introduction: Purpose and Possibility

people who “believe in ending world hunger” or “believe in saving the

environment” than those who actually do anything on behalf of their

belief beyond voting for politicians who share their view or making a

few behavioral changes (such as sending a check to a charity or turning

off a few lights in the house).

Here’s an everyday example of the way loyalties shape everyday

beliefs. We have a friend who for twenty years thought of himself as

someone who liked Chinese food, even though he never partook. Then

one day he was with a group of friends who suggested they go out for

Chinese dinner. He was taken aback when he heard himself say, “Let’s

go somewhere else. I really don’t like Chinese food.” So, why had he