Page 28 - The Complexity Perspective 20 02 18
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situation, categorize the problem, and respond with a typically tried
and tested solution (often best practice).
Complicated
In this context, there may be a path from cause to effect but it is not
necessarily obvious. Problem resolution requires expertise - often
specialist. There may be multiple alternate solutions. Leaders with the
expertise can sense the problem but must analyze in depth, only then
respond.
Complex
A complex context is in constant long and short-term flux. It may
possible to rationalize cause and effect ex-post but rarely ex-ante.
There are few if any standard answers and leaders are faced with
letting events unfold and then applying solutions as opportunities
emerge.
Chaotic
In a chaotic context, there are no right answers; all is turbulence with
no discernible links between cause and effect. This is typically a
context of crisis, where a leader is faced with multiple interacting
problems at the same time. A leader must impose control to quell the
chaos and then pick out the different problems.
Disordered
In a disordered context, a leader is (typically) faced with multiple
interacting problem contexts at the same time. Different perspectives
are possible, factions form arguing for their solution, and the 'noise'
level becomes intolerable. The solution is to identify the
different contexts and work on them separately applying an
appropriate solution.
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