What do you do if your leadership role in the Strategy field requires problem-solving skills?

5 steps of a competent strategist and leader in the issue of embracing complexity 1. Set up the goals. Without a goal, any analysis is meaningless. OKR, SMART and other methodologies can be used. 2. Understand the big picture and understand the system. Understanding subsystems and super–systems provides more information about the potential complexity. 3. Search for potential or actual problems and barriers now. 4. Search for relevant problem solving experience and expert interviews. If there are ready-made solutions to solve the problem, then the complexity will be reduced by a multiple. 5. Your psychological readiness. Beliefs and fears are the strongest barrier, because the key resource is the energy of a strategist and leader.

While complexity can feel overwhelming, we can fight it by applying simple, logical thinking. The key is to first deeply understand the core problem at hand and identify any opportunities for quick wins that start simplifying the challenge. From there, we need to streamline and break down the problem into manageable components. By stripping away unnecessary complexities, we bring clarity and enable distributed, agile decision-making closer to the specific issues. Fighting complexity requires first recognizing it, then using rational simplification to cut through the noise. With a streamlined approach and some quick effective wins, even the most intricate problems can be conquered through the power of simplicity.

In my experience, navigating complex problems in strategy requires a willingness to dive deep into intricate details and understand multifaceted dynamics.

The most important thing in solving the problem is to answer three questions: 1. What is the problem? A clear definition is the key to success 2. Does it need to be solved? Our instincts encourage us to rush to solve problems even when the need is not obvious. 3. What is the true problem? Are we trying to solve the symptoms rather than the root cause? The first question can be answered by discussing with colleagues as clear and concise a definition as possible. The second is to ask yourself, would solving this problem make the company stronger strategically? Are there no more pressing problems? To find the answer to the third question, the "5 Why's" technique is a good way to answer it

I've found that thinking outside the box and fostering a culture of innovation allows for the exploration of unconventional strategies, which can often lead to breakthrough solutions to complex problems.

Engaging with diverse perspectives within teams and across departments fosters collective intelligence, leading to richer problem-solving outcomes and more robust strategic plans.

Keeping abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving consumer behaviors ensures that my problem-solving toolkit remains sharp and adaptable to changing circumstances.

Flexibility and agility are key in the fast-paced world of strategy; being open to adjusting approaches based on feedback and new information allows for effective problem-solving in dynamic environments.