Leading through complexity: Uncover new paradigms at the Learning Tapestry Conference in Bucharest, 5th and 6th of June

As the world struggles with unprecedented challenges, leadership theories and practices are being tested like never before. The upcoming Learning Tapestry Conference, scheduled for June 5-6, in Bucharest, promises to be a keystone event for those ready to rethink leadership and decision-making in complex environments. Organized by the Verita Foundation, Verita International School, and Emory University, the conference will feature thought leaders like Dave Snowden, who is at the forefront of complexity theory and its practical applications in leadership.

Dave Snowden, whose innovative approaches to understanding leadership dynamics have garnered international acclaim, will share insights that challenge conventional wisdom.

“The way we make decisions it’s messily coherent, so it makes sense, but it is messy. And is far from the enlightenment ideal of rationality. The idea if you give everybody the right education and they have the right information, they will make rational decisions is just not the way we evolved. It’s a lot more complex than that. Instead, we are influenced by a multitude of factors including evolutionary biases, environmental conditions, and deeply ingrained societal narratives,” says Snowden.

In his extensive experience, Dave has narrowed the process of good decision making to three crucial features leaders should learn:

“Firstly, surround yourself with people who complement your weaknesses. Secondly, never close yourself off to dissent. That is give advice that people do not want to hear, even if you don’t get invited to the next meeting. And I think the third thing, you’re not going to be liked. Yeah, fundamentally if you are liked it’s a bonus but if you focus on that you won’t be doing your job properly.”

On the first day of the conference, Dave Snowden will take to the scene to talk about educational systems through an anthro-complex perspective, while on the second day of the event, he will hold a special masterclass for leaders and decision makers, with tips, tricks and lesson for how to lead through resilience.

At the Learning Tapestry Conference, Snowden will delve into the concept of organizational resilience, a critical attribute for contemporary institutions. He describes resilience as the ability to return to a previous state but as an evolutionary capacity, “much like a salt marsh absorbs and adapts to the rising water without losing its fundamental character.” This analogy underlines the necessity for organizations to remain fluid and adaptable, capable of enduring unforeseen stresses without breaking down, but also having the knowledge to surround yourself with team members that can help you make good leadership decisions.

“What you do is you increase your option, you make decisions in the present, which keep more options open for the future. You don’t just deal with the current problem. That’s the type of thinking we need to get into leadership, it’s anticipatory thinking. It’s opening options based thinking in leadership, rather than, to be honest, making decisions. If you’re a really good leader, decisions are made for you. You’ve created an environment in which the right decisions will be made”, explains Dave Snowden.

Besides, Dave will address the impact of digital technologies on leadership, cautioning against an over-reliance on artificial intelligence in strategic decision-making. He points out, “AI, by its nature, reinforces existing biases and operates based on probabilities, unable to handle the novel and unforeseen challenges that leaders face. People don’t pay enough attention to the training data sets, so AI tends to reinforce prejudices. If you ask stereotypical questions, it produces stereotypes and it will carry on doing that. So the danger with these things is that they’re all based on probability forecasts, generally based on text or tokens. And that doesn’t replicate the way human beings evolve.” His sessions will explore how leaders can effectively integrate technology into their strategies while maintaining the human insight essential for navigating complexity.

For those committed to leading successfully in an era defined by complexity and change, the Learning Tapestry Conference features keynote presentations, interactive workshops, and discussions that translate complex theories into actionable strategies for real-world application.