The Mick Morris Musing

Exploring Resilience via Lifes Burning Issues

Simple… or is it?

image by Pablo Arroyo

I watched several problems unravel recently, and I have watched the commentary on multiple platforms proposing that “the simple solution to this is…” or “if they just did…”. It’s simple and so logical, isn’t it? Of course, it is. That’s why so many people quickly agree with the simple solution; it’s so obvious! This reminds me of Mencken’s oft-cited quote, “For every complex problem, there is an answer that is clear, simple and wrong”. Why?

Problems, which we often interpret as an outcome we don’t like or something we want “fixed” to make life easier, particularly when it involves working in or with large organisations, often look simple when looked at only through our own perspective and a short-term timeframe.

In our work (and our society), there are very few issues we confront that do not involve complex systems, described as those whose behaviour is intrinsically difficult to model due to the dependencies, competitions, relationships, or other types of interactions between their parts or between a given system and its environment.

In fact, most of them are complex adaptive systems because they have the capacity to change and learn from the experience, for example, in human social group-based endeavours in cultural and social systems. Systems that are “complex” have distinct properties that arise from these relationships, such as nonlinearity, emergence, spontaneous order, adaptation, and feedback loops, among others. Change a rule, and people start changing their behaviours to comply with, adapt to, or resist it.

What if, as described by Paul Batalden, “every system is perfectly designed to achieve the results it displays”? And we accept Galls’ Law, which says, “A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked. A complex system designed from scratch cannot be patched up to make it work. You have to start over with a working simple system”.

Some of these systems have evolved over generations, some of them only recently, but they all overlap at the point of intersecting right where we are right now; that’s why we perceive it as a problem.

When our focus is on a result we don’t like, we are often honed in on a particular part of the “system” in play, and the simple solution we propose may be either a band-aid or a metaphorical wrench thrown into the system, leading to a range of unintended consequences – outcomes of purposeful action that are not intended or foreseen., some of which may be beneficial, some may be drawback and some which may be completely perverse outcomes, the antithesis of what we hoped to achieve. More often than not, our proposed “solution” is aimed at getting someone else to do something to fix our problem!

Seth Godin recently posed the question about whether or not we are facing a problem or a situation – with a problem being something with a solution and a situation being something we have to live with, noting that “some problems get better if we’re willing to talk about them. Some situations, on the other hand, simply get worse when we focus our energy and community on them.”

So when you think about that “problem” of yours, is it something you are really prepared to work on, understand the complexity involved and be willing to work on its solution, knowing it may take a long time, not be easy, and will likely result in things you don’t expect OR are you just unnecessarily adding to the social angst about something we have to live with?

Navigating the liminal state – Thrive in times of transition

Have you ever felt like you’re in a state of limbo, where you’re not quite sure where you’re headed or what the future holds?

This can be a common feeling that can accompany times of transition, whether it’s a big life change like graduating from college or moving to a new city, or a shift like switching jobs or ending a relationship.

This in-between state is often referred to as a liminal state, and it can be a challenging place to be. It’s a time of uncertainty and often requires us to let go of the familiar and embrace the unknown. But it can also be a time of great growth and opportunity.

So how do we navigate this liminal state and come out on the other side feeling grounded and ready to move forward? Here are a few tips:

  1. Allow yourself to feel your emotions. It’s okay to feel scared, anxious, or uncertain during times of transition. Acknowledge and validate these feelings, and try to find healthy ways to cope with them.
  2. Practice self-care. Make sure to prioritize your physical and emotional well-being during this time. This might include exercise, getting enough sleep, or finding ways to relax and unwind.
  3. Seek out support. It can be helpful to talk about your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or therapist. Surround yourself with people who can offer love and support as you navigate this challenging time.
  4. Embrace the unknown. It’s natural to want to have all the answers and a clear roadmap for the future, but sometimes we just have to take things one step at a time. Try to be open to new experiences and opportunities that come your way, even if they’re outside your comfort zone.
  5. Trust in yourself. You are capable of handling whatever comes your way. Trust in your own strength and resilience, and remember that you have the tools to navigate this liminal state and emerge on the other side.

Remember, the liminal state is temporary and it’s an opportunity to grow and learn.

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