Chapter 11: Holding it Together: Using the Holding Environment Concept to Support the Adaptive Change Experience of Principal Succession

The chapter provides a perspective of action research focused on the use the theoretical concept of a holding environment as applied to the adaptive change event of principal succession in a suburban public high school in the United States. This chapter also describes the use of a holding environment to build capacity within the school as a means to mitigate organizational stress caused by future succession events. While individuals entering from outside of the school or those recruited internally will experience differences in succession, anyone new to a leadership position will need to manage the change process. A deep understanding of adaptive change versus technical change and the principle of the holding environment is assistive during this change event. Further, the holding environment is also a useful strategy to start and manage the improvement process.