Leading Together: Complex Challenges Require a new Approach

response now, not someday. So facing

a complex challenge puts people in a

bind and ensures that they will experi-

ence some stress as they try to think

and reflect together without letting

analysis lead to paralysis.

NO GOING IT ALONE

In the face of complex challenges, a

leader, no matter how skilled and oth-

erwise effective, cannot simply step

into the breach, articulate a new

vision, make some clarifying deci-

sions, and proclaim success. Because

a complex challenge requires a whole

system and all the people in it to

change, it lies beyond the scope of

any individual person to confront.

Complex challenges make it virtually

impossible for an individual leader ...