Think. Connect. Act. – That’s the Work
When you strip it all back, delivering complex work comes down to three things:
1. Think
2. Connect
3. Act
That's it. That’s your job as a leader, especially in complex environments.
We get caught up in layers of methods, metrics, and models. But at its heart, leading complexity means:
Making time to think about the whole system
Connecting different points of view across boundaries
Finding a way to act intentionally despite uncertainty
It's a Rhythm, Not a Checklist
These aren’t linear steps. They’re not even a loop. They are a rhythm that can occur all at the same time. Improvisation is a great capability for complexity, and it involves all three at once.
We get into trouble when we don’t find the right balance. We get overwhelmed by detail when we don’t create the space to think. We get surprised by issues when we are not in a relationship with others. We get lost in the possibilities when we don’t take action.
Mastering complexity isn’t about having the perfect plan. It’s about building the muscle to blend thinking, connecting, and acting - again and again.
These aren’t new ideas. They go all the way back to Aristotle, who has been attributed with the idea that transformation is only possible when a group can think together, share a common vision and act in concert.
How We Get Stuck
Many of the issues I’ve seen can be attributed to not paying the right level of attention to these themes: For example:
Moving too quickly, trying to ‘tame’ the complexity and wondering why decisions get revisited.
Making calls without building relationships results in changes that take ages to get accepted.
Being stopped by the fear of the unknown, not stepping into the ambiguity.
When teams have capability across all three - when they think well, connect meaningfully, and act intentionally, momentum builds, even in the messiest of situations.
Introducing The Series
Over the next few newsletters, I’ll explore each of these topics in more depth:
Think – what are the rituals that help you make sense of ambiguity
Connect – how to work across silos and surface the views that matter
Act – how to move with intent even when the path isn’t clear
Where Are You Today?
Take a moment to reflect on what stands in the way of getting things done:
Taking on too many things and not progressing on any of them?
Trying to move forward but not getting support?
Overthinking and under-acting, hoping for clarity before deciding?
Where are you strongest right now, and where are you feeling stuck?
In complexity, it’s easy to lean towards our natural preference. Some of us prefer thinking (guilty!), some prefer connecting, while others are happiest when taking action. The trick is knowing when to shift the balance to what the moment needs. Overwhelm and frustration are the feelings you get when the settings are wrong.
No matter how complex it feels, the work boils down to:
Think. Connect. Act.
