Leading in Complexity
Robert Wolfe
Robert Wolfe is a leadership coach, storytelling trainer and innovation facilitator at the THNK School of Creative Leadership. Wolfe was born in Australia and educated in the Netherlands (studying business administration at Nyenrode and international politics at the UvA), lived in London where he wrote a book on business strategy, worked as a management trainer in Sydney. Robert became a personal coach, wrote several Dutch-language youth novels, taught improvisational acting and plays cricket.
- Recording: No (on-site only)
- Language: English, Dutch
- Duration: 45 min / 15 min
Session Summary
- Session available on-site only -
Sometimes, the way we approach a problem becomes the problem itself, but we may not be aware of it. For instance, when we address complex situations with a linear mindset and find that our solutions have limited impact, it can be surprising. This workshop offers an experiential approach to help people understand what happens when there's a mismatch between the type of problem they encounter and the kind of solutions they try. You will grasp the Cynefin model from IBM, which views problems as "living" in different domains and requiring appropriate leadership styles for response. The lecture is dynamic and lively, yet quite philosophical in nature.
Interaction
During the expert session, Robert Wolfe engages the audience through a mix of storytelling and interactive exercises.
Key Learnings
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Understanding Problem Domains: Learn to differentiate between the types of problems—simple, complicated, complex, or chaotic—and understand how each requires distinct approaches and solutions.
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Tailored Leadership Strategies: Discover how to apply appropriate leadership styles based on the problem domain to enhance the effectiveness of your responses.
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Improving Problem-Solving Impact: Gain insights into aligning your problem-solving strategies with the specific characteristics of the issues you face, leading to more impactful and effective solutions.
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Detailed session description
- Session available onsite only -
Often, the way we approach a problem can become the problem itself, particularly when we apply a linear mindset to complex situations and find our solutions falling short. This workshop offers an experiential learning approach to uncover how a mismatch between the nature of a problem and the solutions we apply can limit effectiveness. Participants will explore this concept through the Cynefin model, developed by IBM, which categorizes problems into different domains and advocates for tailored leadership styles to address each type effectively.
The Cynefin model provides a framework for understanding that problems are not one-size-fits-all. It helps participants recognize how different problems—whether simple, complicated, complex, or chaotic—require distinct approaches and responses. By delving into this model, attendees will learn to align their problem-solving strategies with the specific characteristics of the issues they face.
This dynamic and philosophical workshop encourages a deep reflection on how our problem-solving approaches can be adjusted to achieve better outcomes. Through engaging activities and discussions, you will gain valuable insights into effective leadership and problem-solving strategies, enhancing your ability to address challenges in a more impactful and nuanced manner.
Other Sessions by this Speaker
Robert Wolfe lets you experience how you can use a story from your own life to convey a message and convince the people around you to follow you. A leadership skill that has garnered a lot of attention in the past decade and has proven to be crucial for business leaders. Robert shows examples of the best storytelling and provides insights into easy-to-apply storytelling techniques.
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