Great businesses are built by great leaders—not prophets (part 2 of 3)

In an earlier posting, I reviewed whether mental illness was a pre-requisite for great leadership, and concluded that this was not the case. However, occasionally these far-reaching perspectives do match reality and, assuming the requisite knowledge, intellectual capacity and motivation are also in place, then the triumph of these problem-solvers can be spectacular; Winston Churchill provides but one example. But whilst excelling in a crisis is worthy and admirable, is it the definition of great leadership? I would argue not.

Simon Lunt23 September 2016chaos, cynefin, leadership, problem solving Comment

Great businesses are built by great leaders, not prophets (part 1 of 3)

Great leaders are motivated to solve great problems. They achieve this by accessing the problem-solving capability of others to the mutual benefit of everyone involved. Great leaderships can resolve problems effectively and efficiently from all domains of the Cynefin framework— to the mutual benefit of everyone involved.

Simon Lunt23 September 2016chaos, cynefin, leadership, problem solving Comments

How the Cynefin framework won Wales a Grand Slam

“Gatland arrived in Wales in the opening weeks of 2008, when Wales were in a state of chaos, … and the changing room echoing to the murmurs of mutiny. The new coach imposed order and gave simple instructions and Wales responded with a second grand slam of the 2000s.”

Simon Lunt23 September 2016Complex, chaos, cynefin, leadership, problem solvingComment

How to manage Chaos appropriately - a case study

I was asked recently to provide an example of how to deal with problems in the Chaotic domain. The attached 12 minute documentary* provides a vivid contemporary case study. The video focuses on the use of watercraft to aid the removal of hundreds of thousands of people who were stranded on Lower Manhattan at the time of the attack on the Twin Towers. Within less than an hour of the attack, none of the common commuter escape routes were available. The subways, bridges and tunnels had all been closed, and for office workers pushed to the extreme edges of Manhattan by collapsing buildings, escape by water seemed the only option.

Simon Lunt23 September 2016chaos, complexity, problem solvingComment

Cynefin - a time management and productivity tool?

The thirst for easy fixes to the challenges of time management appears unslakable. I have no doubt that for some, the act of seeking and tinkering with the latest ‘getting-things-done’ (GTD) tool/philosophy/process is an addiction. It affirms we all seek efficiency without compromising effectiveness. And in a minor example of exaptation, the Cynefin framework has the potential to be a useful tool in this pursuit.

Simon Lunt23 September 2016Complex, chaos, cynefin, leadership, simple, strategyComment

THE FRUITS OF RIOTOUS EXPERIMENTATION

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