The leaders we work with in businesses and organisations spanning the private and public sectors share with us the depth of complexity in which they are working. Leading in complexity requires the capability to navigate uncertainty, work with diverse perspectives, and adapt to constant change. So, how can leaders adapt their approach to ensure they develop resilience and are able to inspire and lead their teams to perform at their best and deliver results? Here are a few themes that have emerged:
1. Build your own resilience
Like they say in the safety demonstration on planes, it’s important to attend to your own oxygen supply before helping others. Practice self-care, manage the expectations you put upon yourself, recognise your limits and set yourself realistic and achievable goals. Build time into your day for reflection and remember to recognise your achievements no matter how small they may seem. Staying calm and focused amid ambiguity requires emotional intelligence, inner stillness, clarity of thought and self-confidence.
2. Develop a culture of collaboration
Complex problems benefit from diverse perspectives coming together to identify solutions. Encourage collaboration across your team to harness different points of view. Involve your team in decision-making to create a sense of ownership and shared accountability. Collaboration in a supportive environment can make the load seem lighter for everyone.
3. Use purpose and values to guide you
In complex situations, it isn’t possible to plan every step. There will be decisions to make along the way. Having a clear purpose and ensuring your organisational values are part of how you and your team operate, will provide guidance for making decisions.
4. Encourage innovation and experimentation
Create a culture that encourages innovation and experimentation where small failures are viewed as learning opportunities. Encourage ideas, put the best into practice, review the impact and adjust. Encourage your team to reflect together on lessons learned.
5. Communicate, communicate, communicate
Complexity and constant change can feel overwhelming for your team. Communicate regularly and celebrate small wins along the journey. Ensure that organisational, team and individual goals are understood. Encourage your team members to share any challenges and support them to build their own resilience.
Leading in complexity requires the skill and capability to guide others through ambiguity with clarity, adaptability, and empathy to ensure teams are aligned, motivated and resilient.
If you would like to talk to one of our experts about developing and delivering a programme, one to one coaching or team coaching for the leaders in your organisation, to help build their capability to lead in complexity, please email anne@taylorclarke.co.uk
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