Complicated vs. Complex Problems: A Leader’s Guide to Smarter Decision-Making
Have you ever tried to ‘fix’ a problem in a group—only to find that the more you tried, the messier it got?
That’s because not all problems are created equal.
Some challenges are complicated—like fixing a car. There’s a clear process: follow the steps, and you’ll get a predictable outcome.
Others, though, are complex—like raising a teenager. No matter how many ‘best practices’ you follow, the situation keeps evolving, requiring constant adaptation.
The same is true in leadership.
Many of the hardest problems—miscommunication, burnout, team dysfunction—aren’t problems you fix. They’re challenges you navigate. And that requires a different mindset, one that embraces learning, adaptation, and—yes—a bit of patience.
The Future of Leadership: 10 Essential Skills
This week, Bob Johansen, from the Institute for the Future, shared his perspective with my local Rotary group on the 10 skills leaders will need over the next decade—and how AI will augment, rather than replace, our leadership capabilities. His insights felt directly connected to this idea of navigating complexity rather than just solving problems.
Some of the practical skills he highlighted include:
Commonsense Making – the ability to filter information overload and find clarity.
Quiet Transparency – sharing information in a way that builds trust rather than noise.
Constructive Depolarization – helping teams find common ground in a divided world.
Notice how these skills aren’t about having all the answers? Instead, they’re about staying agile in the face of uncertainty.
The Leadership Traps That Make Complexity Harder
When leaders approach complex problems with a complicated problem mindset, they often fall into these traps:
🔴 The Quick Fix Trap – “If we just create a new policy/process, this will be solved.” (Spoiler: It won’t.)
🔴 The Lone Wolf Trap – Trying to figure it all out yourself instead of engaging different perspectives.
🔴 The Best Practices Trap – Searching for a “gold standard” solution instead of recognizing that what worked before might not work now.
🔴 The Perfection Trap – Holding off on action because you don’t have a guaranteed solution. (Complexity requires learning as you go!)
Are You Dealing with a Complicated or Complex Challenge?
Next time you’re feeling stuck, hit pause and ask yourself:
✅ Can I break this down into clear steps with a predictable outcome? (If yes, it’s complicated—apply best practices.)
✅ Is the situation constantly evolving, with multiple perspectives and no single “right” answer? (If yes, it’s complex—time to experiment.)
Then see if you can practice some mental flexibility. Instead of asking, “How do I fix this?” try:
“What small experiments can we run to learn more?”
“Who else’s perspective would help us navigate this?”
“What’s one step we can take today to move forward?”
How I Help Leaders Navigate Complexity
The leaders I coach—whether they’re in business, nonprofits, or community organizations—are often dealing with the “people part” of leadership, the part that isn’t solved by a checklist. I help them build the skills to:
Communicate more effectively in high-stakes conversations.
Navigate team dynamics and personality differences.
Develop resilience when faced with ambiguity and change.
If you or someone you know is grappling with the complexity of leadership, let’s talk. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about learning how to ask better questions.
