Ep.135: Anne Caspari, how can we handle complexity in transformations?
From Leaders Talk - Better Leadership. Better Organizations. Better World by Leadership Choices
January 30, 2026 · 1h 28m
About this episode
Anne Caspari discusses handling complexity in organizational transformations using the Cynefin Framework.
In this episode of Leaders Talk , Karsten speaks with Anne Caspari – coach, specialist for complexity and partner at Leadership Choices. At the heart of the conversation is the Cynefin Framework developed by Dave Snowden. Anne explains how it helps leaders distinguish between ordered, complex, and chaotic contexts – and why many organizational challenges fail when they are approached with linear logic. She introduces concepts such as emergence, weak signals, and sensemaking, andcontrasts them with traditional tools like surveys that often strip context away. Anne shares how narrative-based approaches, such asSenseMaker®, enable organizations to work with real stories rather than predefined hypotheses, making the “unknown unknowns” visible. The episode offers deep insights into culture change, values, and what organizations need to learn in order to act wisely in complex environments. Topics in this episode: · Anne’s path into complexity work (2:20) · The Cynefin Framework and decision-making in complexity (3:50) · Emergent systems and weak signals (11:00) · Why surveys often fail in complex contexts (21:40) · Working with unknown unknowns (40:40) · Values, sensemaking tools, and…
People in this episode
Host: Karsten
Guest: Anne Caspari
Topics covered
- complexity in transformations
- Cynefin Framework
- decision-making
- emergent systems
- sensemaking
- culture change
- values
Keywords
- complexity
- transformation
- leadership
- decision-making
- emergence
- sensemaking
- culture change
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Leadership Choices
Products: SenseMaker®
Books & works: Cynefin Framework
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