Category: Complexity
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How Collaborative (Uncontrolled) Teams Act as Natural Bayesian Networks (Part 4)
This blog is a loose follow up to the series of how to deal with competing and diverse requirements. In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, the ability to quickly adapt and make informed decisions is crucial. Interestingly, the way collaborative teams function mirrors the principles of Bayesian networks, a concept from probability theory and statistics. To…
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Hierarchy Is Not Natural – Part 3
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After Part 2 and Part 1, we take a deeper look at our fears … the reason for our obsession with control. Protection Is Fear In our quest for safety, we often turn to protection. But protection, driven by fear, cannot truly create safety. This concept is rooted in Marston’s theories: when we try to…
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Hierarchy Is Not Natural – Part 2
Part 1 we finished with a quote, and we want to start Part 2 with it. Because what would that shift in perspective mean for an organization or even a society? What would happen, if we forsake the notion of hierarchy and stick to complexity? “trust is the only – known to me – tool…
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Hierarchy Is Not Natural – Part 1
This is not new. Actually, it’s not even worthwhile to mention because it’s so obvious. Only simple, mechanical systems created by humans have a hierarchy. All natural systems are complex. Complexity can’t have a hierarchy because everything is connected to everything else. We have multidimensional superposition and dependencies. That’s what complexity is—many very simple elements…
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Dealing With All the Different Interdependent Requirements – Part 3
In the quest to master the art of balancing competing demands in business, the role of mathematics, particularly through models like structural equation modeling and game theory, has become increasingly significant. These mathematical approaches not only support but enhance collaborative strategies in conflict management, offering a structured, quantifiable means to analyze and improve organizational dynamics.…
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Dealing With All the Different Interdependent Requirements – Part 2
Let’s remember what we are talking about … In the dynamic landscape of modern business, organizations constantly navigate a labyrinth of competing demands. These include ensuring product quality, optimizing time to market, maintaining safety, enhancing security, and driving profitability while also navigating a complex web of legal and compliance issues that span multiple jurisdictions. Finding…
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Dealing With All the Different Interdependent Requirements – Part 1
In the fast-paced world of business, organizations often find themselves at a crossroads of competing demands: product quality, time to market, safety, security, and profitability, not to mention a maze of legal and compliance issues spanning across multiple countries. How do companies balance these multifaceted, often conflicting requirements without losing their edge? Understanding the Challenge:…
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From Time-Clocks to Trust: The Shift from Potato Field Mindset to Creative Freedom
In today’s competitive market, companies that thrive are those that harness creativity and innovation, not those that stick to the old “potato field” ways of thinking. So, what separates the dynamic, creative workplaces from the outdated, time-obsessed ones? Let’s dig into the mindset that distinguishes the future-focused companies from those stuck in the past. Understanding…
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Navigating Complexity in Organizations: A Cybernetic and Chaos Theory Perspective
Organizations buzz with activity. They’re like cities, full of intersecting lives and decisions. But what makes organizations complex? And how can understanding this complexity help us lead better? Let’s dive into the vibrant world of complexity through the lens of cybernetics and chaos theory. “Complexity is irreducible without losing the essential qualities of the system.”…
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The Illusion of Control: Why We Cling to Simplicity in a Complex World
In the bustling world of business, complexity surrounds us like a dense fog. We know that complexity can bring innovation and opportunity, yet, paradoxically, we often revert to seeking control. Why do we still believe we can steer the ship directly towards increased revenue, even when we understand the unpredictable nature of complex systems? Let’s…