The Adaptive Conductor: A Leadership Framework for Industry Transitions

In this chapter, we examine the organizational tensions and levels of resistance that emerge when addressing industry-wide changes. We emphasize how, as businesses progress, they accumulate intertemporal mismatches, where the development of routines and talent to meet present needs can limit their ability to address future demands. We introduce a three-step model for strategic learning during industry-wide changes. The first step involves systematic observation of the external and internal context, likened to viewing a movie from two perspectives: zooming out to grasp the industry context and zooming in to identify organizational tensions. The second step includes making conflicting interpretations to manage shifts in strategic priorities and map losses for different factions. The final step entails implementing adaptive interventions, utilizing strategic planning exercises not only to prioritize but also to facilitate the psychological elaboration of systemic losses.