An important concept raised by Heifetz, Grashow and Linksy (2009) is that of a cultural "default" (p. 64). Think of the "default" settings of a computer program - these are settings that enable the program to operate in a certain way automatically, before the user expresses his/her preferences.
Cultural "defaults" are automatic reactions based on age-old cultural practices and beliefs. You know there is a "default" at play when people don't consider other options - when a certain behavior is so pervasive that no one questions it or even recognizes it.
Adaptive leaders must develop the ability to identify defaults.
Culture is a "pattern of automatic assumptions, unconsciously held and taken for granted" (Schein, 1986, p. 31).
Tip Think about this - what are the "defaults" at your organization? What are the practices that no one disputes?
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