How Not To Navigate Complexity In The Brave New World
Written by: Tim Nash, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Your team is separated by country, culture, and language. It’s also a mix of generations.
Nevertheless, you need to do something ASAP to increase trust and improve teamwork.
You’re thinking of using a psychometric like Insights or MBTI to develop the team.
However, all these psychometric tools stress that you shouldn’t consider cultural background if you want accurate results…
Wait – you can’t ignore the cultural backgrounds of your team members!
Recognizing and accepting the differences, including cultural ones, is key for building trust with all team members.
However, to build trust and improve collaboration in a team circa 2022, no one tool or method is enough – especially one developed in the last century.
You’re going to need more than a one-size-fits-all approach to develop a diverse team like yours.
Here are 3 reasons why Gestalt theory and practice can help you navigate complexity in the brave post-pandemic world (e.g., team development):
1. It’s agile, not fixed.
The field of People Development has become increasingly complex. People have emotions. Emotions are complex.
Furthermore, a new approach is needed to “tackle the uncertainty and uniqueness of emergent change situations”, according to Relational Change co-founder Marie-Anne Chidiac.
One-size-fits-all methodologies no longer work to manage complex change or human emotions.
Apropos of change, have you ever seen one where new or unexpected things didn’t emerge?
I certainly have not.
People need to be able to talk about new and emerging developments.
A good change plan must be able to adapt to whatever emerges – unexpected or not.
Therefore, it cannot be fixed.
2. It’s supportive, not manipulative.
Guided by The Paradoxical Theory of Change, Gestalt aims to help people become more of “who they already are by dropping futile efforts to become who they are not”.
So if a change goes against who someone is or wants to be, there will be big resistance.
How do you feel when someone tells you that something will be good for you?
I don’t know about you, but it makes me feel manipulated.
Boss: “This move is going to be great for you.”
How could s/he possibly know how you’re going to feel about something?
If you want to reduce resistance to change, find a way to make people feel supported, not manipulated.
Incidentally, people are always resistant to change – no matter how developed they are.
Meeting people “where they are at” is a great way to approach it.
3. It’s pragmatic, not dogmatic.
If a health professional wants to treat a non-traditional illness, s/he needs a holistic, cross-disciplinary approach.
A radical change in diet that incorporates acupuncture or therapeutic massage could help if antibiotics or Ibuprofen don’t.
By embracing principles from philosophy, psychology and other relevant disciplines, a Gestalt approach is pragmatic about what works, not dogmatic about something that does not.
REAL HELP FAST
A long time ago in a galaxy far far way…
Companies were on the lookout for resilient professionals who could navigate VUCA – adapt to complex change, manage differences, juggle job roles, etc.
Post pandemic, this skill set is more valued than ever.
Build up this invaluable resource with FREE Personal Resilience Blueprint.
With increased resilience, it’s easier to meet people where they are right now and help them develop from there.
And if you’re at a career crossroads and are thinking of pivoting, here’s the CAREER PIVOT ACTIONABLE CHECKLIST – another FREE resource that meets you where you are at.
Wherever you’re at in your journey, I wish you lots of success in your next steps!
Thanks for reading,
Tim
For regular tips and closer interaction, connect with me on LinkedIn.
Tim Nash, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Tim Nash is on a mission to help senior professionals escape their energy-zapping maze, focus on what matters and pave the way for success. Via the empowering principles of Gestalt, he guides his clients below the surface to overcome what is preventing them from performing at their best.
For over two decades, Tim has helped young professionals to C-level executives lead and collaborate across cultures. He is also the founder of The Path To Peak Performance which includes his dynamic coaching practice and American Transplant web series.
