The smartest leaders don’t pick sides, they work within the polarity and the tension created by our modern organizations. Leaders are often told to make clear-cut decisions, which suggests that there are problems and solutions. This is a very surface level and linear driven approach to leading. An approach that is less likely to succeed in our modern organizations and in the future organizations driven by technology and fast-paced change and innovation.

Though not every challenge is a problem to be solved. Some are more like systemic dynamics to be understood, leveraged and managed. Systemic polarities are interdependent opposites that can’t be resolved, only balanced and managed over time.

“Org charts are pointless—they only show hierarchy.”

That’s a bold statement, and for leaders steeped in traditional organizational design and positional authority, it might even feel threatening. Though from a systemic and narrative leadership perspective, this assertion opens the door to a far more accurate and actionable understanding of how organizations actually work.

Organizational charts were designed to bring order to complexity. They show who reports to whom, define formal roles, and delineate boundaries. While this is helpful for basic structure and operations, they fail to capture the deeper, more dynamic elements that actually drive behavior, performance, and transformation.

Unlocking the power of humility and leadership: Learn when to lead, follow, or step aside. Embrace humility, support others, and foster a culture of collaboration for collective success. Explore the art of leadership beyond ego and positional power.

Uncover the profound role empathy plays in solving complex problems. From active listening to diverse perspective-taking, learn how to truly embrace empathy. Unlock the secrets of empathy in design thinking with our top tips and essential tools. From empathetic listening to co-creation workshops, discover how to craft user-centric solutions.

Relational reflexivity is the dynamic process through which individuals critically examine and understand the complexities of their interpersonal interactions, including power dynamics, communication patterns, and emotional nuances. Tap into the transformative power of relational reflexivity in leadership, where we explore the intricate dynamics of interpersonal relationships, discover how coaching can sharpen your reflexive abilities, and learn actionable strategies for nurturing trust, empathy, and open communication within your team.