We spoke with Bonnitta Roy about her upcoming Master Class in this year’s leading complexity program for the fall. The topic is Thinking with Complexity: Post-Formal Actors, Protocols, and Complex Potential States.
Bonnitta is an author, researcher, complexity thinker, business developer, and teacher. She integrates many fields: Natural Sciences, Living Systems, Consciousness Studies, Relational Processes, Philosophy, Self-Management, and Self-Organization.
Bonnittas’s broad background provides a fresh view of complexity. One of her key points is the idea of “Releasing Complexity.” As people, we intuitively know complexity from nature. However, the main problem is the human-induced unnecessary complexity that keeps escalating in organizations and society. This is the complexity we need to learn to “release” through sometimes counterintuitive “moves.”
Check out this short interview below (12 min) or the summary on our blog with the link in the comments to learn more about complex systems and the implications of leading and organizing in today’s complex environment.
Join our Leading Complexity Program to learn more from Bonnitta and the other thought leaders, and sign up to attend her Master Class, Thinking with Complexity.
Summary of interview:
Michael: It’s great to have you in our Leading Complexity program this year. You’re an author, researcher, complexity thinker, business developer, and teacher. You integrate many fields—Natural Sciences, Living Systems, Consciousness Studies, Relational Processes, Philosophy, Self-Management, and Self-Organization. Your work on complexity is fascinating and highly relevant to our program, which aims to help leaders navigate complexity.
Bonnitta Roy: Thanks! That’s a great introduction. When we talk about complexity, everyone forms a mental model. The biggest pitfall is that many people’s mental models are either too chaotic or too ordered, missing the true essence of complexity. A good model of complexity is like being a gardener or raising children—anything that creates more life.
Michael: One of your key concepts is “releasing complexity.” Could you explain why that’s important?
Bonnitta Roy: Sure. Releasing complexity doesn’t mean reducing it. It’s about changing how we perceive and manage it. For instance, moving from a geocentric to a heliocentric view of the solar system simplified our understanding without reducing the information. In organizations, this means finding simpler, more effective ways to handle complexity rather than complicating things.
Michael: Can you elaborate on how leaders can benefit from your session on thinking with complexity and using protocols?
Bonnitta Roy: Thinking with protocols helps in managing complexity by reducing cognitive load. Protocols like Scrum or the OODA Loop are simple patterns that guide actions and help manage tasks effectively. They transform complexity into manageable steps. I’ll also introduce the concept of moving from complex adaptive systems thinking to complex potential states, which avoids escalating arms races and fosters a more constructive approach to complexity.
Michael: It sounds like traditional complex adaptive systems thinking can lead to bureaucracy and slow decision-making. How does your approach differ?
Bonnitta Roy: Exactly. My approach encourages protocols to streamline processes, reduce unnecessary complexity, and improve efficiency. It’s about finding new ways to manage complexity effectively, making our work and organizations more agile and less burdened by self-created complications.
Michael: This sounds exciting! I’m looking forward to your session on October 10th in our Leading Complexity program.
Bonnitta Roy: Thank you! I’m also excited and can’t wait to see the other speakers and participate in the program.
Check out the Leading Complexity Program to learn more from Bonnitta and the other thought leaders, and sign up to attend her Master Class, Thinking with Complexity.
