Everyday complexity

More and more I am realising the contribution that complexity theory and systems thinking can bring to our everyday life. Yes, I admit I am one of those people who are completely fascinated by the complexity thinking and how the application of this can help us in our lives and organisations! In recent blog Dave Snowden complained that some people just like the language of complexity, but don't really know much about it. Well, I might be one of those... but then in the spirit of complexity, I am learning, trying out new things, doing action research, trial and error to see which patterns are emerging!

Why this theme today? Well, i have been finding that this is a topic that interest people - people realise that some of the challenges we face today, can only be in the complex domain. How many of us have not lamented on how complex things are - work or life? And complexity language is probably a bit intimidating to many, so other than using it to 'identify' where we find ourselves, people stop there.

And then there are some people who do amazing work in the field of connecting the conceptual frameworks of complexity with the reality. I was having a very interesting conversation with someone from the CSIR the other day, on how there is a growing understanding of the limitations of normal science in this space. And on the some of the amazing things that people are doing in this field. He is doing work with our very own parks board and were relating some amazing examples of how the Kruger National park is operating as a learning organisation. Yes, very consciously and methodically. This see scientists and staff in the park willing to experiment, and willing to fail in order to solve complex challenges. Realising that if you try what you always do, you will get the answers you always do.

Anyway, this might be theme of coming posts - how do we apply complexity thinking to everyday life and problems. How do we make insights which complexity science has brought us, practical for our organisations.

On that note: I am part of a team organising an event on the 4th of September which is about just that. Using the whole system to bring about change - sustainably! We invite anyone who has an interest in the use of participative processes, and who have worked with the whole system to bring about complex change, to come and share and learn with us. For more information and the full invitation click here.

More on the topic of complexity and practical approaches soon!