Adaptive Leadership, as stated by Northouse (2016), “focuses on the adaptations required

of people in response to changing environments” (p. 257). In the NPR story New Ground For

Peace Corps, Dr. Kerry, and Hessler-Radelet explain that they are receiving numerous applicants

of professional nurses and doctors interested in working abroad. These nurses and doctors will

work in different countries to become medical educators to educate the students in medical

education. In light of Adaptive Leadership, these directors and founders of the Peace Corps must

be prepared to help doctors and nurses adapt to new circumstances (Northouse, 2016). For

example, nurses and doctors will be traveling to Africa (someplace they might not be familiar

with). They will need their leaders to educate them in the new cultures they will be experiencing

in their new careers.

Furthermore, Dr.Kerry talks about how this idea of systemic change was created. She

explains that it was from a personal experience and how she worked with other nurses and

doctors who wanted the opportunity to work abroad but couldn’t do so due to debt (loans). So, in

this new project, nurses and doctors get an allowance for their debt to travel and not worry too

much about their loans. In reliance with Adaptive Leadership, as explained by Northouse (2016),

“It focuses primarily on how leaders help others do the work they need to do, in order to adapt to

the challenges they face” (p. 258). In this case, New Corps obtained government assistance in

funding the nurse’s and doctor’s debt. Therefore, doctors and nurses can now make the change in

the healthcare system needed in different countries.

Next, Dr.Kerry and Hessler-Radelet talk about the deep needs in the United States and

how communities are medically underserved. As they talk about the communities in need, they

mention that the experience that nurses and doctors will receive from working abroad will help

strengthen their knowledge and abilities to do better in serving those underserved communities in
the United States. Thus, following Northouse (2016), “Adaptive leaders engage in activities that

mobilize, motivate, organize, orient, and focus on the attention of others” (p. 258). Lastly,

Martin, the host of NPR News, brings up a concern. Once nurses and doctors obtain their

qualifications or training through the Peace Corps, they seek opportunities elsewhere. Positively,

Hessler-Radelet explains that there is no issue regarding those who leave because they were part

of a dedicated community that inspired one another. People are allowed to flourish professionally

and grow in other parts of the world to practice their profession. Under Northouse (2016), “The

goal of adaptive leadership is to encourage people to change and learn new ways of living so that

they may do well and grow” (p. 258).

 References

Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice, 7th Edition. Los Angeles: SAGE

Publications, Inc.

NPR. (2013, January 14). New Ground For Peace Corps. NPR.

https://www.npr.org/2013/01/14/169334681/new-ground-for-peace-corps.