I recently completed a course on Critical Systems Theory with Michael C Jackson—author of Critical Systems Thinking and the Management of Complexity. In this course, over 8 weeks, we covered multiple systems-based approaches for handling technical, process, structural, organizational,…

When you lie on your deathbed thinking about your life, will you consider yourself successful? What would your definition of being successful be? I would argue that it is hard to form that definition in advance. I have never…

In 2015, I was beginning first to explore complex systems, and I discovered System Dynamics. When people talk about systems thinking with any modeling rigor, they often mean Systems Dynamics. It is often considered an approach to dealing with…

This week’s book is not on complexity per se but looks at the role of metrics which can be detrimental when managing complexity. As many of us have just completed our OKRs for Q2, now is a good time…

Harnessing Complexity by Axelrod and Cohen is an excellent introduction to Complex Adaptive Systems, specifically focusing on what this means for management. There is a lot in this book, and I can’t even scratch the surface here, but it…

This week I want to focus on a very practical book on complexity, Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps: How to thrive in complexity by Jennifer Garvey Berger. Garvery Berger outlines five quirks of thinking that have historically been beneficial but can…

I realized I missed the opportunity to highlight a woman’s work for international women’s day, so while it is a week late, I want to share the work of Nora Bateson. Bateson is a writer, filmmaker, and researcher. She…

Complexity: A Key Idea for Business and Society Chris Mowles book is a Professor of Complexity and Management at Hertfordshire Business School, and this book is somewhat academic. However, Mowles has spent time in the public sector, and that…