When Chaos calls
There's no callerID, but you know who it is
Welcome to OutsmartChaos, the newsletter. We’re glad you’re here. In this newsletter, you will find:
Recognizing the call of chaos.
Chaos Framework (The Cynefin model)
Taming Chaos
Self-Reflection Questions
Recognizing the Call
There’s a commercial for an insurance company with a main character named “Mayhem” highlighting the unexpected disasters that come upon a person’s house or car. The commercials are entertaining because we all know that the unexpected happens, and its effect can knock us off guard.
It’s chaos calling, and you have no choice but to answer.
And when you do, the only guarantee is that you will feel confused, disoriented, and even angry. Even so, you don’t know how to respond.
That’s chaos. You know what it looks like but can’t describe it.
Chaos Frameworks
The Cynefin Framework (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynefin_framework), is a framework designed to help decision making. Cynefin, pronounced ku-Ne-vin, is a Welsh word meaning habitat or haunt.
And even though chaos may haunt you, it’s not that definition of haunt.
The premise is that there are five domains of decision-making, each requiring a different approach to making decisions. The framework, like other frameworks, exists to sort decisions into buckets. These buckets allow you to address situations differently. Here are the buckets:
Clear: the known-knows. These are generally simple, with a straightforward cause and effect. If I do this, then that will happen.
Complicated: the known-unknown. These decisions generally require analysis and involve specialized skills. There may be many steps in the process, but if followed, cause and effect can follow an expected path.
Complex: the unknown-unknowns. Cause and effect can only be learned by seeing what happens after it is done.
Chaotic: in this domain, cause and effect are unclear. Events are generally too confusing to wait for a knowledge-based response.
Confusion/Disorder: in this domain, you can’t even define which of the other four domains this event falls under.
Compared to the others, the big difference in the Chaotic and Disordered domains, which we’ll call chaos for this exercise, is that typical responses don’t work.
Even an expert would likely not be confident in what to do.
Doing the same thing might not result in the same effect.
There are no instructions for this one.
Chaos requires a person to function with a wholly different mindset.
Taming Chaos
The Cynefin framework might seem to show chaos as overwhelming, but it suggests that it's not a state to be feared. It is an opportunity for innovation and discovery. To tame chaos, one must act swiftly and decisively to stabilize the situation and learn from there.
Act, Don't Analyze: In chaos, analysis paralysis is our enemy. Instead of overthinking, take action to address the immediate crisis. You are moving forward in a probing fashion to learn by taking small, decisive steps forward.
Stabilize First: Your initial actions should stabilize the situation. This might mean implementing temporary measures to regain control. This stability reduces fear and worry, allowing you to continue gaining momentum.
Probe for Solutions: Once stability is achieved in small or significant parts of the situation, it's time to experiment and probe for solutions. Try different approaches, adapt quickly, and learn from the results.
Sense and Respond: Assess the impact of your actions and adjust your approach accordingly. Chaos hates agility and adaptability; if you can master those two things, you’re on your way to taming chaos.
As you continue to push forward in these four items, you will find that the situation rapidly transitions from chaotic to complex…from complex to simple.
Chaos will come. Chaos will call. The difference between frustration and opportunity is how you sense and attend to the chaos in front of you.
Self Reflection Questions
How do I typically recognize and respond to chaos?
What areas in my life need stability? How can I build a stronger foundation in these areas?
How do I want to react when chaos calls?
What is keeping me from reacting the way I want to?
Five years from now, what does a command of chaos look like to you?
At Outsmart Chaos, we believe that in the Face of Chaos, Confident Courage lights the Path to Opportunity. We’re dedicated to helping you find your way to the most significant opportunities in your life, career, and leadership.
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Analysis paralysis is "life threatening."