Leadership Without Easy Answers
Tyler Jordan
February 11, 2013
Leadership for Ministry
Dr. Levi Price
“Leadership Without Easy Answers” – Ronald Heifetz 1. The Essence of the Book, 2. Main Thoughts, 6. Reflections
In “Leadership Without Easy Answers,” Ronald Heifetz gives his take on what it means to be a leader in various types of leadership situations, how to use or not use our authority, and most importantly, the difference between leadership and authority. Throughout a wide variety of examples and narratives, Heifetz shows how these two are different, yet also how that can be used in harmony in a variety of work environments.
Heifetz bases the arguments in this book around making two different distinctions: technical versus adaptive problems, and leadership versus authority. Heifetz takes on a tough topic concerning leadership, and that is how we handle problems and tough questions or situations that we may face. He says early on in the first chapter, “This … image of leadership – mobilizing people to tackle tough problems – is the image at the heart of this book” (pg. 15). Heifetz does what he can in giving examples by telling specific stories of how leaders in their respected environments have responded to adversity. It is obviously a lot to ask to have answers to every situation we may come across concerning leadership, so instead, Heifetz breaks down possible situations into three categories, and then gives suggestions on how to handle them. In what Heifetz calls a Type 1 situation, a problem arises that a leader, in essence, looks forward to. No one looks forward to a problem, but this type of problem is what is called a technical problem, in which the leader sees the problem, has a solution, and is relied on completely by the person who has the problem. Heifetz uses an example of a physician and a patient, and here the patient has a very fixable problem, possibly a virus or something that can be repaired through surgery. In a Type 2 situation, the problem is clear, yet
February 11, 2013
Leadership for Ministry
Dr. Levi Price
“Leadership Without Easy Answers” – Ronald Heifetz 1. The Essence of the Book, 2. Main Thoughts, 6. Reflections
In “Leadership Without Easy Answers,” Ronald Heifetz gives his take on what it means to be a leader in various types of leadership situations, how to use or not use our authority, and most importantly, the difference between leadership and authority. Throughout a wide variety of examples and narratives, Heifetz shows how these two are different, yet also how that can be used in harmony in a variety of work environments.
Heifetz bases the arguments in this book around making two different distinctions: technical versus adaptive problems, and leadership versus authority. Heifetz takes on a tough topic concerning leadership, and that is how we handle problems and tough questions or situations that we may face. He says early on in the first chapter, “This … image of leadership – mobilizing people to tackle tough problems – is the image at the heart of this book” (pg. 15). Heifetz does what he can in giving examples by telling specific stories of how leaders in their respected environments have responded to adversity. It is obviously a lot to ask to have answers to every situation we may come across concerning leadership, so instead, Heifetz breaks down possible situations into three categories, and then gives suggestions on how to handle them. In what Heifetz calls a Type 1 situation, a problem arises that a leader, in essence, looks forward to. No one looks forward to a problem, but this type of problem is what is called a technical problem, in which the leader sees the problem, has a solution, and is relied on completely by the person who has the problem. Heifetz uses an example of a physician and a patient, and here the patient has a very fixable problem, possibly a virus or something that can be repaired through surgery. In a Type 2 situation, the problem is clear, yet