Leading in Complexity

The world is not simple. As we face increasingly complex, ambiguous, and dynamic challenges — in organizations and beyond — it's essential to make decisions that are contextually intelligent.

The Cynefin framework, developed by Dave Snowden, offers a powerful lens for understanding complexity and choosing action based on the nature of the situation.

Why it matters

Most leadership models were designed for stable and predictable systems.

Today’s reality looks different:

• Constant change
• Conflicting priorities
• Ambiguous information
• Interdependent teams and systems

In complexity, traditional leadership approaches often create:

• Over-control
• Slow decision-making
• Local optimizations that harm the whole

Why learn Cynefin?

Because misjudging the context leads to poor decisions. Cynefin helps you:

• Distinguish between clear, complicated, complex, and chaotic environments
• Match your approach to the context at hand
• Avoid linear thinking in nonlinear systems
• Support leaders, teams, and organizations in responding wisely to uncertainty

Who is this training for?

Leaders, consultants, facilitators, change agents, HR professionals, and anyone who:

• Operates in uncertainty or shifting environments
• Seeks to improve team and organizational decision-making
• Needs a mental map for navigating complexity and sensemaking

What you will learn:

• Core principles and domains of the Cynefin framework
• Practical applications for decision-making
• Adaptive leadership strategies for complexity
• Case studies and hands-on simulations for deeper learning
• Change mananagement 3.0
  

A Compass for Complexity

Cynefin is more than a model — it's a way of seeing and leading. It teaches us to read the system before acting, to sense what is emerging, and to choose actions that align with the deeper dynamics at play.

This training is not about finding the “right answer,” but about learning how to respond wisely — based on the reality in front of you.

Format

• Interactive workshop (on-site or remote)
• Typical duration: 16 hours 
• Adapted to leadership level and organizational context

How it fits the Growing Centuries narrative

This workshop typically works best:

• After a Foundation experience (e.g. UnFIX Foundation)
• Before or alongside organizational evolution or scaling efforts

It strengthens leadership capacity before structural or process changes are introduced.