“Resilient Leadership: Strategies for Thriving in Complexity and Chaos.”

Ruth Zaplin and Marcia Ruben

On December 7, 2023, American University’s Key Executive Leadership Programs held its annual conference, “The Future of Leadership: Leading Through Chaos,” at the Ritz Carlton in Washington, DC. Drs. Ruth Zaplin and Marcia Ruben led an experiential session titled “Resilient Leadership: Strategies for Thriving in Complexity and Chaos.” They skillfully tackled the burning question, “How can leaders of today, armed with ‘yesterday’s mind’ and nervous system, excel amidst the unprecedented complexity and chaos of our times?” Drawing on David Snowden’s Cynefin framework, they illuminated the challenges of navigating an unpredictable world, describing complexity as an emergent landscape where simplistic solutions are obsolete. The session underscored an essential shift: the move from conventional top-down leadership to innovative, adaptive strategies, equipping leaders to tackle the dynamic and increasingly intricate challenges of today’s fast-evolving global landscape.