Although we often use the words “complicated” and “complex” interchangeably when we talk about problems, there is a difference—and different types of problems require different types of solutions. If this all sounds too complicated (or complex?), take a few minutes to watch Bobbie LaPorte’s November 12 “Calling the Game” video. You’ll better understand the difference and learn how to adjust your own approach.
Key Distinctions That Help Leaders Navigate Uncertain Times
During the pandemic, so many things changed for leaders and their teams, and there was a lot of guidance about how to approach this unprecedented time that challenged all of us to our core.
Some of that, including what I often shared on this platform, focused on how to limit the high cognitive load that everyone experienced, personally and professionally. For example, creating little bumps of certainty to counter all the volatility and uncertainty or balancing what is exhaustive vs. essential – not asking people to do too much.
Another topic that continues to come up and that I often see in my client work is the question of “complicated vs. complex.”
What do I mean by that? Many leaders use the terms complicated and complex interchangeably, but they are very different.
Complicated problems can be hard to solve, but they can be broken down into parts and usually solved with rules, processes, and systems that already exist in your organization. For example, implementing a new physical security system that involves people, systems, and physical operations across dozens of facilities across multiple countries is complicated.
The solutions to complicated problems don’t work as well with complex problems. Complex problems involve too many unknowns and interdependent factors, some of which may change over time. An action or change in one dimension can result in disproportionate and unforeseen outcomes.
For example, developing and implementing a Return to Office policy remains a thorny issue for many companies. It has many interdependent and unknown elements and is one that most organizations have never experienced before. They have no rules, systems, or processes in place that they can readily call on to solve this problem.
Solutions to complex challenges typically emerge after much trial and error and require the willingness to act, learn, and adapt.
So why am I reintroducing this now? Because I believe in what we call a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) world, that leaders like you will be faced with many more complex than complicated problems in the future. And this is why becoming “VUCA Ready®,” as we have previously covered here in depth, is so critical.
One of the three shifts I believe all leaders need to make to become “VUCA Ready” is the willingness to shift from relying solely on your experience and domain knowledge to being open to asking for help, to other perspectives, to trying new approaches, learning, and adapting.
Many leaders find it scary to operate from this position, particularly when pressure is on to solve tough problems that help their organization move forward. But we know that you can’t rely on what you’ve done in the past; what is easy, known, and comfortable will not get the job done.
Is your problem complicated or complex?
So, the next time you are presented with a problem that is not simple, one that you haven’t seen before, stop to think: Is this problem complicated? Can I break it down into discrete parts and solve it using existing systems and processes in the organization?
Or is it complex – involving many unknowns and interdependent factors, some of which may be unknown and may change over time in ways you can’t predict? If it’s the latter, this is where your willingness, your courage to consider new ways of approaching this – with the help of others and not knowing what the final outcome might be – helps build critical capabilities for you and your team to become “VUCA Ready.”
To support you in calling your own game, I am offering my 30-minute online Introduction to Navigating Uncertainty course free to viewers for a limited time. Click on the link to sign up now!