I kept trying to find the right response.

I wanted a fix. A strategy. An answer.

When what complexity requires

is the right kind of effort.

Not more effort.

Appropriate effort.

Simple didn’t need more meetings.

Complicated didn’t need more control.

Complex didn’t need more urgency.

Very complex didn’t need me

to pretend I had it all figured out.

I thought I needed to be decisive.

What I needed was to respond

based on what was here.

We gave each system a response.

Simple calls for intuition.

Trust what you already know.

No need to overthink it.

Complicated calls for preparation.

Know what’s required.

No need to rush.

Complex calls for thoughtfulness.

Hold space for the connections.

No need to default.

Very complex calls for determination.

Stay in it.

Get familiar with being uncomfortable.

Responding prevents me from wasting my capacity

on something that doesn’t require it.

The Complexity Grid: Respond doesn’t tell me what to do.

It guides my appropriate effort.