Summary of my talk from Agile Sverige 2025
A few years ago, I heard the quote:
“Change will never again go as slow as it does today.”
That felt true then—and it’s even more true now.
After co-hosting the LeadingComplexity.com program for several years with over 30 world-class thought leaders on the topic of leading in complex environments, I’ve come to see more clearly what leadership requires when the pace of change accelerates, and traditional ways of navigating no longer serve us. At this year’s Agile Sverige, I shared a lightning talk on the three strategies I believe are essential for leaders today.
1. Grow Yourself – and Relearn Humanness
Complexity demands more than more knowledge—it requires growth. As Robert Kegan says, it’s not about filling your cup but expanding it. We need to develop vertical capabilities like perspective-taking, self-mastery, and emotional intelligence. At the same time, we need to reconnect with our nervous systems—with the calm, connected state that evolution designed us for. Reflection, nature, emotions as data—these aren’t luxuries. They’re necessities.
2. Collaborate for Real
Most of us think we collaborate. What we often do is coordinate. In complexity, no one has the full picture. Real collaboration means solving problems together at the same time—not in endless meetings, but in shared action, actually doing work together. I’m deeply inspired by what Woody Zuill calls Software Teaming (Mob Programming). The best teams I’ve worked with don’t split the work—they work together. Not just meet to talk about work.
3. Release Organizational Complexity
Many organizations respond to external complexity by adding internal complication—more roles, more handovers, more reporting. But complexity can’t be controlled. It must be released. That means fewer centralized decisions, more empowered teams, dynamic rules instead of fixed processes, and transparency over control. Untangle the org chart. Remove friction. Trust people.
Check out the recording here (10 minutes)
Some of my main inspirations come from Robert Kegan, Jennifer Garvey Berger, Woody Zuill, Jonathan Reams, Dave Snowden, Sonja Blignaut, and Bonnitta Roy, among others. All speakers on our Leading Complexity Program.
These ideas continue to evolve. If they resonate, let’s explore more together. Registration for the 2025 Leading Complexity Program is now open.
What’s your best strategy for leading in complexity?
