The Space Between
Navigating the Unknown and Leading Across Boundaries

The Theory Behind the Practice
This book chapter outlines the basic elements of the Adaptive Leadership Framework. A great introduction and review.

KONU Blog: “Leadership Is Not About Being the Expert”

Leadership isn’t about having the answers—it’s about surfacing the right questions, holding uncertainty, and creating space for others to lead. This short piece introduces adaptive leadership’s ideas and links to Gina Raimondo’s real-world example. You can also find the link to the corresponding Harvard case that can be purchase for a small fee for their website.

Dean Williams: “The Maintenance Challenge”

Innovation gets the headlines, but leadership often means asking what’s worth preserving. Williams reframes adaptive leadership in this chapter of his book “Real Leadership” as protecting what is essential during times for external threat. A foundational read for “doing less with less.”

On the Balcony – A Podcast on Adaptive Leadership

Hosted by Michael Koehler, this podcast explores adaptive challenges in real systems—through interviews with practitioners, policymakers, and change leaders.

🎧 Episode 2: Moments of Disequilibrium with Mitzi Johnson: What happens when systems start to shake? Mitzi Johnson (former Speaker of the House in Vermont) shares how she navigated political storms, public backlash, and the emotional labor of leading under pressure around gun legislation.

🎧 Episode 7: The Adaptive Challenge of Managing Growth with Jevan Soo Lenox. Jevan Soo Lennox unpacks the leadership challenges behind scaling teams, keeping integrity intact, and letting go of control.