Introduction
The depth and the breadth of any organization leadership determine the extent of adaptive leaders in that particular organization. Adaptive leaders are able to bridge the organizational gap and meet both the short term and long-standing objectives of an organization. Facing a challenging situation requires an adaptive leader who is not only inspirational but able to create an amicable situation in a crisis. TELACU Residential Management mission has been supporting the need to house the elderly and the disabled.
As an organization, TELACU has played a key role in acting as adaptive leaders for the organization in a long time. They have voiced the grievances of the voiceless in the society and thus a critical force in bridging the gap in the society. TELACU is crucial given that the Housing & Urban Development Department (HUD) ceased the new housing developing process while there is adequate evidence that the baby boomers will lack sufficient space to lay their heads when they retire.
This analysis will closely discuss the responsibilities and expectations of a leader especially in a situation where shortage of housing is to be addressed.
The 3% of elderly people which translates to about 1.5 million people in federal houses and closely 387,000 living in Section 202 housing units needs to be addressed to alter this statistics. More so, the 8 % of elderly people living in physically inappropriate housing units needs to be addressed for the percentage to decrease significantly.
What adaptive leaders needs to do
It is the responsibility of adaptive leaders to meet the expectations of the organization (Begaye, 122). More so, adaptive leaders are expected to change according to the current situation and wisely use their expertise to play a pivotal role in ensuring that they meet their goals.
In this case, it is required that the leaders serve its people by ensuring that their future is catered for by improving or enhancing projects that will aid in adding the number of housing units for the aged. This will help in reducing the congestions that is currently being witnessed because of the inadequate housing units available (Gilbert, 231).
Accountability of adaptive leaders
Solution of the inherent problems within the organization and themselves is the marks the accountability of the adaptive leader. These leaders are accountable because their performance determines the success of the organization and also the solution of the problems facing the society and especially the housing for the elderly in this case.
On the contrary, it is imperative to understand the responsibility of a leader especially when facing a problem like this situation (Heifetz, 2). Adaptive leaders play a critical role in ensuring that people understand the nature of the problem and be able to cope up with the situation while looking for solutions instead of pointing accusing fingers to the leadership.
Problems in an organization or a country are not necessarily caused by the leadership in place; leaders provide the motivation, assistance and courage to solve the problems but not the solution itself as highly perceived by most people (Heifetz, 3).
How adaptive leaders can make difference
The nature of the problem faced by the elderly concerning their housing may not get better any time soon, it is therefore the responsibility of the adaptive leaders to ensure that these people get proper housing when they retire. This situation clearly shows the challenges faced by leaders in hard situations. Making a distinction in the organization through the solution of problems facing the society is the genesis of making a difference as an adaptive leader.
Consequences of a leaders becoming passive
A leader who is wanting in energy, motivation and vision is a passive leader; such a leader will never deliver under challenging situations like an adaptive leader. It is very unfortunate for leaders to be passive especially concerning the case of housing faced by the elderly particularly after the decline of HUD.
The actions of HUD are unfortunate given the condition faced by the elderly in the society. It is up to TELACU to stand up and be counted by collectively practicing the features of an adaptive leadership team in action, without them the task will consequently be more than a mountain to climb.
Conclusion
As analyzed in this discussion, the role played by an adaptive leader is critical to the solution of inherent problems faced by the organization or the community as a whole. Adaptive leaders thus have a responsibility for accountability both to themselves and for the organization of the community that they serve in this case. The failure of the leadership will mark the escalation of the problem.
Passive leaders do not play any crucial role in the organization or the community that they serve due to the nature of the problems inevitable in the modern world. It is necessary for the organization or any form of governance to adopt the principles of an adaptive leader in order to successfully address all the problems that are inevitable in everyday life. In this case, the solution of the need to increase the housing units in the country is highly dependent on the adaptive leadership principles that will be embraced.
Works Cited
Begaye, Timothy. Adaptive leadership: challenges of Navajo leaders in a contemporary society. London: Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2003. Pp. 121-134.
Gilbert, Elizabeth. Eat, pray, love: one woman’s search for everything across Italy, India, and Indonesia. New York: Penguin, 2007. Pp. 230-245.
Heifetz, Ronald. Leadership without easy answers. London: Harvard University Press, 1994. Pp. 1-20.
Kouzes, James and Posner, Barry. A leader’s legacy. Texas: John Wiley and Sons, 2006. Pp. 121-134.