We spoke with @ChristinaRettig, winner of the programme prize for Leading Innovation & Change, about her time at YSJ – and how a nightlife metaphor helps her to master leadership challenges.
How you would describe your YSJ experience?
It was eye-opening in many ways. The challenges of today’s fast-paced VUCA world can be quite overwhelming. Conducting a deep dive at YSJ made me realise that concern about an increasing speed of change has been a recurring pattern for every new generation of leaders. Only the starting level is different. The good news is that many feasible leadership frameworks are already in place, and they can help to make sense of a particular situation.
Have you remembered a particular framework?
I found literature on adaptive leadership to be very revealing. Much of it revolves around the ability to reflect in action. Heifetz & Linsky compare this to a night at the discotheque: Some people dance on the floor, others observe the crowd from the balcony, and leaders would ideally move back and forth between the different perspectives.
Was this balancing act also a challenge during your academic journey?
Indeed. Being a quite pragmatic practitioner, working in a scientifically valid manner and still creating the best possible practical relevance for my team made me feel torn sometimes. Kudos to @DavidThomson and @GeorgeBoak who supported me a lot throughout the degree. This helped me achieve a presentable result.
Well, you were awarded with the YSJ programme prize for Leading Innovation & Change – how do you feel your studies helped you to prepare for your future?
One thing I learned was that it is always somehow possible to resolve apparent contradictions and identify common ground. To me, strategic thinking of ways to integrate opposite ends of the continuum is key to navigating the VUCA world, for business leaders and our society in general.
How would you describe York Business School in 3 words?
Helping you grow. And I look forward to passing this on to others.