Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.
Log in Create free account100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.
Summary
How do we coordinate people for complex challenges? Certainly not with traditional work structures, designed to optimize for performance. Rather, we need new ways of working—new structures—that have been specifically designed to coordinate people for understanding. We'll look at a framework that can be used by teams, organizations, and other groups of humans working on complex problems. Stephen P. Anderson is a speaker and author who spends too much thinking about visual collaboration, how people learn, and board games; not necessarily in that order. Oh, and he’s on a mission: To make learning the hard stuff fun, by creating ‘things to think with’ and ‘spaces’ for generative play. This mission has led Stephen to MURAL, where he facilitates design strategy and innovation. Stephen's newest book, Figure It Out: Getting From Information to Understanding, has been described as both “required reading for designers and anyone else who needs to explain things” and a book that will “change the way you see the world.”
Key Insights
-
•
Complex problems differ fundamentally from complicated problems by involving unknown variables, shifting participants, and unclear success criteria.
-
•
Traditional top-down management structures often fail to coordinate people effectively on complex challenges.
-
•
Just enough structure—no more—is vital to prevent both chaos and rigid control when coordinating teams.
-
•
Cultivating shared language and standards is crucial; vague or specialized language can hinder true agreement and alignment.
-
•
Invisible environments like shared vision, mission, and values shape team coordination but must be actively lived, not just documented.
-
•
Designing visible environments—physical or virtual spaces—can shape group behavior and collaboration outcomes.
-
•
Psychological safety is foundational for teams to learn fast and innovate, emerging from deep listening, empathy, and interpersonal trust.
-
•
Accumulating multiple perspectives through drawing, analogies, and frameworks enriches understanding of complex challenges.
-
•
Adult development models explain why groups may act less mature than individuals, especially during frequent organizational resets.
-
•
Metaphors like gardening help in framing culture cultivation, emphasizing ongoing care, attention, and shared responsibility.
Notable Quotes
"All these traditional ways managers tell employees what to do probably don’t apply in complex problem contexts."
"We need just enough structure and no more to avoid chaos or stifling control."
"Until we clarify our language, we’ll agree on everything but not truly agree."
"Specialists would rather share their toothbrush than their language."
"The smartest person in the room is the room itself."
"Psychological safety isn’t created by an initiative but through a thousand tiny habits in language and behavior."
"If you want psychological safety, you have to start with self-awareness and deep listening."
"Teams often reset every 18 months and regress to infancy in trust and decision-making."
"A gardening metaphor fits culture better than cold, invisible icebergs because it highlights nurturing and growth."
"Drawing pictures together helps reduce interpretation and share perspectives effectively."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"Integration is coming: research teams will drop labels and collaborate across disciplines to deliver richer insights."
Nicole Aleong Michaela Mora Prayag Narula Brianna SylverWhat UX research can learn from other research practices [Advancing Research Community Workshop Series]
September 14, 2023
"You are not the first person to try something like this, and they’re typically not looking forward to the next transformation."
Laura KleinUnique challenges of innovation in enterprises
April 23, 2020
"People connect with other people, even through screens, so employee recommendations matter digitally too."
Erin WeigelReal-world lessons to improve your conversion rates
June 26, 2024
"Although I turned off the AI feature at Config, I started evaluation with security, privacy, and legal teams for governance."
Changying (Z) ZhengNavigating Innovation with Integrity
September 25, 2024
"We could either become an internal service desk that's always at capacity or find a lever that multiplies our impact."
Dagmara KukawkaTiny team, moonshot impact: Democratizing research across continents
March 10, 2026
"If you’re not doing anything about accessibility, you’re discriminating against your future self."
Elana Chapman Li Wen Huang Divyen Sanganee Annabel WeinerGetting started with accessibility research
February 20, 2025
"More frequent, open communication and direct conversations helped us avoid assumptions and deliver something usable quickly."
Iain McMaster IHan ChengDesign and Product: from Frenemy to Harmony
November 29, 2023
"A workshop helps people map their skills, identify gaps, and make specific goals for career jumps."
Ian SwinsonDesigning and Driving UX Careers
June 8, 2016
"Habit changes sometimes must happen, but measuring and designing to respect them avoids mortifying changes."
Paula BachImproving Legacy Software: How Much Better Does it Have to Be?
March 11, 2022
