“Change can be frightening, and the temptation is often to resist it. But change almost always provides opportunities – to learn new things, to rethink tired processes, and to improve the way we work.” Klaus Schwab

Future leaders must deepen their understanding to unlock their observation, facilitation and data processing skills in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) environment. Leaders need to prepare for the complex challenges that lie ahead, as individuals, teams and in new technology. They must work together as intelligent agents to transform their effectiveness. These “agents” are self-organising front-line services as senior managers work in cross boundary teams.

A new generation of leaders is urgently needed to take full advantage of the opportunities this complex reality offers. At its core, this will require an understanding of Complex Intelligence, the blending of individual, collective and artificial learning systems.  This website offers you methods to practice and resources to familiarise yourself with the concepts and tools of complex evolving systems. 

Leading with complex intelligence

INTELLIGENCE IN A VUCA ENVIRONMENT

New challenges are emerging from an increasingly unpredictable environment.  What’s more, intelligent systems are having to blend individual, collective and machine “agents” to work together.  Teams, organisations and communities are looking to their leaders to adapt to more Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) environments. New behaviours and methods are urgently needed to adapt and thrive in complex evolving systems. Leaders are having to think more critically and act with greater imagination, creativity and resilience.

INTELLIGENCE IN A COMPLEX LIVING  SYSTEM

“Complexity refers to a condition that is so integrated and varied it is difficult for us to understand with simple mechanistic or linear thinking. The larger and more complex the system it can only be understood as principles, models and patterns. This is because the detail is constantly changing. Complexity deals with the nature of emergence, self-organisation, innovation and adaptation in a living system.” Santa Fe Group. 1996

Navigating Complex Systems

“Steve is a great listener. He works with me to find possible answers together. A man of wisdom,  humanity and humility. His coaching style is warm, engaging and supportive. His questions are always respectful and insightful. I have treasured my relationship with him over many years as he has the knack of triggering fresh thinking around my business and personal challenges.”  

Winston Moore. Managing Director. Moore Asociados – Corporate Communications.

“I’ve worked with Steve over many years as a colleague on major corporate change projects. His coaching and leadership insights have been an invaluable source of guidance for me. Steve is generous with his time, always humble, compassionate and willing to listen. He continues to help me navigate personal and professional challenges.”

Lorna Shaw. Director. Lorna Shaw Coaching Ltd.

“I approached Steve to help me explore some wicked issues facing me personally. He helped me see things from different perspectives and rethink my approach to interdepartmental teamwork. I gained a deeper awareness of myself and my life purpose from our conversations”

Virginia Simenda. FCCA.
Financial Controller & Business Partner

I am sharing my experience as a change agent gained over 50 years. My mission here is to help leaders and coaches find actionable insights and solutions to a VUCA world that’s facing the challenges of artificial intelligence, a collective consciousness, social cohesion and ecological sustainability. 

NOTE: Regular users will find some pages have been moved to new locations. Use SEARCH to find them.

A new series on connecting

COMPLEX INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Working with AI tools requires reasoning and sense-making skills. They prompt new thoughts, questions and autonomous systems to produce transformational outcomes. For example, using smart assistants, bespoke training or scheduling tasks. Leaders must transform their own thinking and build collaborative teams to drive forward technological changes.

Observing human behaviour and reinterpreting patterns of social interaction to create new models capable of adapting to a more volatile, uncertain and ambiguous world. You learn to enhance performance, share accountability and value innate wisdom. Leaders must be open to look at relationships between people and happenings in new ways.

Choosing different types of conversation to support coordinated action and better decision-making. Finding agreement around what is cared about to develop practical insights and relationships to use in Agentive AI tools and simulations. The leader relies more on the wisdom of the team and the data to make important choices.