Lead in Complexity

HSD prepares leaders for wise action in complex and turbulent times. Based in complexity science and chaos theory, human systems dynamics welcomes the command-and-control path of leadership just as much as the observe-and-adapt approach.

Traditional leadership approaches, grounded in twentieth-century reality, focused on the leader as courageous person of action and power. Current approaches speak to leaders’ abilities to see patterns, listen to weak signals, and support the emotions and cultures of teams. We recognize that a healthy, growing organization needs both of these leadership approaches. The real challenge is to know which is the best choice in the here-and-now. We help leaders make decisions and take action that are “fit for function,” whatever challenges they face.

HSD prepares leaders to:

• See their environments with clarity and minimal bias
• Create patterns and make meaning, even in the most chaotic contexts
• Seize the freedom and power to take a “next wise action”
• Test and learn in the next cycle of observation, understanding, and action

HSD prepares leaders to meet their challenges with a strong guiding hand or an open inquiry, whatever is the Adaptive Action that is most fit for function.