What does "work avoidance" refer to in the context of adaptive leadership?

In the context of adaptive leadership, "work avoidance" refers to the tendency to stay within one's comfort zone to avoid challenges and difficult conversations. This behavior signifies a lack of engagement with the adaptive work required to tackle complex issues that necessitate change. Leaders who engage in work avoidance may ignore pressing challenges or delay addressing important issues in hope that they will resolve themselves.

This can lead to stagnation within a team or organization as critical adaptations and innovations are not pursued. A proactive approach to change management, detailed planning, or focusing solely on technical tasks does not encapsulate the concept of work avoidance, as these approaches involve active engagement with challenges rather than evasion. Recognizing work avoidance is essential for adaptive leaders as it highlights the need to confront uncomfortable realities and inspire their teams to step out of their comfort zones to achieve real progress.