Choosing to pause and seek perspective in the face of a pressing issue or need can feel counter intuitive, but it may be the best and only path forward for leading in a complex world.
When we are faced with a challenging and perplexing problem to solve, our first response is often to become a bit anxious (or maybe a lot anxious) and quickly react, and often cause others to react with us so that we can find solutions fast. There are a number of ways we do this- through attempting to solve our way forward (engineering thinking), or optimize our way forward (business thinking) or analyze our way forward (research thinking). And these methods can be useful when the problem we are trying to solve is fairly simple and straightforward, where best practices can be utilized—how have we addressed a like problem in the past that can be categorized and responded to with familiar and tested tactics and strategies. Or the problem might be more complicated, but has enough familiarity to analyze and then respond, trying tactics or strategies that can be adapted to fit the new problem.
But when the problem is unfamiliar and cannot be categorized, attempting to address it through these more familiar means will never get us to a good outcome. It is in the place of the unknown where innovation most often occurs.
A number of years ago, my longtime colleague and one of the Tamim Partners, Rick Wellock, brought me a DVD to watch called The Design and Beauty of the Butterfly. After watching it several times, we processed it together and he noted, quite profoundly, that there were 4 apparent elements to the transformational process.
Perspective- the interaction in which a subject and its parts are viewed- a point of view
Paradigm- a theory or group of ideas about how something should be done or thought about
Structure- the way something is built or arranged, or the way a group of people are organized
Process - a series of actions that produce something or lead to a particular result.
A caterpillar does not become a butterfly simply by becoming a bigger or different caterpillar. Rather real transformation is going on inside the chrysalis that is causing something radically different to emerge on the other side.
These four elements start with perspective. Entering into a chrysalis provides a radically different perspective for the caterpillar, who has spent most of its life singularly focused on one thing- eating and eating some more.
So what if addressing a problem or issue of complexity, where no immediate solution or even outcome can be readily defined, requires a counter-intuitive move? To pause, step back, become curious and sense not the whole solution, but rather just to a step forward to learn and then take another step forward.
Gaining perspective requires us to be able to resist the temptation to react, become anxious and then ignite unproductive activity in ourselves and our teams. Rather, we step back and even away from the problem for a bit. Maybe only a few minutes, maybe a few hours or even a day or two. Look at other environments where we might probe and ask questions.
Years ago, Doug Wilson, Founder of Monon Capital and Sagamore Institute board member, shared with me over dinner his theory on how best to address complex issues. He required his team members to have what he called “orthogonal” experiences each year. Orthogonal, a geometry term, is defined as “ Such perspective lines are orthogonal, or perpendicular to one another. The orthogonal definition also has been extended to general use, meaning the characteristic of something being independent (relative to something else). It also can mean non-redundant, non-overlapping or irrelevant.”
It is the latter part of the definition that Doug was pointing us towards. To enter into a an experience that is seemingly independent or non-overlapping to our current circumstance. Doug believes, as I do, that most true transformational learning happens through metaphor and analogy. Perhaps this is why Jesus taught most often in parables.
It may be the best solution to your current complex issue will not be found in the tried and true, or the urge to rely on best practices, but rather to step outside of our current circumstance and seek perspective. This can be as simple as turning off your phone for 15 minutes and taking a walk outside. Or doing something new—a jazz festival, bungy jumping or hiking a new trail.
In complexity the path forward is not found in the familiar or comfortable. It is found, over time, in curiosity, imagination and creating space to remain non- anxious in the face of adversity and complexity.
Embedded in our practice is leading with presence and character by cultivating the core practices of mindfulness along with doing deep identify work so that you start by sensing both internal and external states, being grounded deeply- physically, emotionally and spiritually, and then acting from that grounded place. It is here that we have more capacity to address challenging issues over time, while maintaining a non-anxious presence in your organization.