Why work with us

Our Value Proposition

What is a complex systems challenge?

Complex problems:

  • Face constantly evolving environments
  • Are hard to define, and the desired outcomes equally hard to pin down
  • Cannot be addressed by one single solution, but rather require an infinite mindset of constant improvement of multiple solutions over time
  • Involve multiple stakeholders who might hold conflicting perspectives and values

Such challenges fall outside any one person’s or organisation’s ability to define, predict and control.

Improving access to social services, addressing recycling rates, encouraging take up of public transport, safeguarding heritage, are all examples of complex problems – or in fact, pretty much any area of government that requires the politics, the policies, the service delivery, citizens and communities to be aligned.

But complex systems are not limited to the ambit of governments; business models are evolving towards ecosystems, which require new alliances, strategies and leadership practices (see Thinkers50 report).

The key tension in solving complex problems is between forward momentum and space for emergence. People, in wanting fast answers, often default to the most obvious solution or tick-the-box mentality. This does not solve complex problems.

In complex problems there are different perspectives and conflicting goals and unseen causal relationships. Complex problem-solving hence require us to hold the space for discovery. The key tool of affecting systems change is not command and control, but rather influence.

But it is possible to make systematic progress, as long as we mind the system of decision-making.

Interventions on 4 Levels of Systems

Our holistic approach

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System 1: Future Operating Environment

Futures Thinking


What would our reality look like in the future; what are we solving towards?

We help you break down the key drivers in your operating environment, and develop potential scenarios as a reality check.

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System 2: Stakeholders

Systems Thinking


Who is or needs to be involved, and how?

We help you identify your key stakeholders, their relationships and interactions as a system, and their roles in the value chain. This helps us be systematic in setting up the governance process of problem-solving: who is in the core decision-making team, who should be co-opted as strategic contributors or partners, and at which stage of the process.

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System 3: Purpose

Design Thinking


How do we agree on the new future, and take steps towards it?

We help you and your stakeholders develop a collective vision that can inspire action, and design a set of experiments to learn about possible interventions before you scale them.

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System 4: The Self

Coaching


How am I prepared to guide this problem solving and change?

With Coaching, we help you and your team develop self-mastery and behaviours that are required of practitioners who deal with complex problems. This includes being comfortable with ambiguity, embracing different perspectives, pivoting quickly, and assuring others to do the same.

Learn more

Please fill out the form with your email address and we'll send you a primer PDF document on our 4 systems approach.

Let's talk

Unlike other consultants, we love to understand your context first before offering any advice or service. This way we can be sure you get what you truly need, tailored to you.