In a recent blog post I declared that

“Large organizations of people are complex adaptive systems and not enough senior executives know what that means. In a complex adaptive system, neither use nor content can be fully anticipated, this has serious implications for how we think about management of information, technology, people, policy and services.”

This post is to clarify what I mean by complexity.

First of all a caveat. I am a true amateur when it comes to the topic. I have no academic credentials and claim no special knowledge. Just a deep interest in understanding systems enough to apply the theory in real life.

I you have ever studied Dave Snowden’s Cynefin Framework as a way to understand problem spaces you have an idea of complexity. My original exposure to the concept was studying bio-geographical ecosystems. Later I dove deeper with the Complex Adaptive Systems paper that I referenced in my one academic contribution to the topic. A few yeas ago I discovered Mark Foden’s Podcast The Clock and Cat. I am also a huge fan of Wardley Mapping and Peter Stoyko’s fascinating SystemViz codex.

There are tons of resources on the topic, which quickly expands to all of systems thinking, and it can go deep and take a little time to get your head around. This is especially true if you have been raised in a deterministic culture and I think that may be one of the reasons so many leaders lack the perspective. If you have a 60 hour work week and 1200 emails a day to deal with as a frantic executive how are your going to find the time to learn about new topic?

WELL ITS YOUR FUCKING JOB…if you want to make good decisions you need to apply some system’s thinking, it can’t all be about appeasing your boss, looking good to your neighbour, or preserving your status. Remember that thing about Public Good when you became a public servant?

Ok, sorry for the mini rant. I hope the links above satisfy your thirst for knowledge, and maybe contribute something to your next big decision. Oh, and if you happen to have anything to do with executive development in the public service, slip a little complexity theory in there will you?

What are you thoughts on learning about complexity?

Time to walk the dog.