What do you think?
Rate this book
Tackling Complexity: Tough-Love Interactions To Navigate Uncertainty, Promote Positivity, and Deliver Performance Excellence
Your organization is a Complex Adaptive System—and so are the people you lead. Many leaders expect an organization to operate like a machine, but that leads to failure.
Outcomes in business are unpredictable, yet decisions are made based on assumptions of certainty that don’t include the interdependence and emergence of your employees, customers, supply chain, and eventually, success. Complexity can be an advantage, though, when you embrace it.
There is no way to bring certainty and determinism back to our life and work. We can only learn and adapt continually to lead through uncertainties.
Anu Rathninde, president of Aptiv Electrical Distribution Systems-Asia Pacific, shares his practical strategy for tackling complexity in the Knowledge Era. Bridging ancient Asian wisdom and modern science, this guide leverages the best leadership philosophies with the right mindset to help you tackle complexity, manage yourself as you manage others, and transform your organization by putting people decisions and interactions first.
You’ll learn:
• Why the leader-follower paradigm of business management doesn’t help you deliver on commitments in the face of change.
• The SIILA model to build productive habits and better connect with your company and outside stakeholders.
• How to use systems thinking and internalization to understand your motivation as a leader while creating positive emergence.
• Tough love interactions that prioritize candor, identify your knowledge gap, and solve issues before they escalate.
• A personal change plan with the potential to transform your leadership and your life for the better.
Outcomes may be uncertain, but success doesn’t need to be—when you adapt with complexity! Get Tackling Complexity and harness the power of complexity to reinvent your organization and yourself.
Outcomes in business are unpredictable, yet decisions are made based on assumptions of certainty that don’t include the interdependence and emergence of your employees, customers, supply chain, and eventually, success. Complexity can be an advantage, though, when you embrace it.
There is no way to bring certainty and determinism back to our life and work. We can only learn and adapt continually to lead through uncertainties.
Anu Rathninde, president of Aptiv Electrical Distribution Systems-Asia Pacific, shares his practical strategy for tackling complexity in the Knowledge Era. Bridging ancient Asian wisdom and modern science, this guide leverages the best leadership philosophies with the right mindset to help you tackle complexity, manage yourself as you manage others, and transform your organization by putting people decisions and interactions first.
You’ll learn:
• Why the leader-follower paradigm of business management doesn’t help you deliver on commitments in the face of change.
• The SIILA model to build productive habits and better connect with your company and outside stakeholders.
• How to use systems thinking and internalization to understand your motivation as a leader while creating positive emergence.
• Tough love interactions that prioritize candor, identify your knowledge gap, and solve issues before they escalate.
• A personal change plan with the potential to transform your leadership and your life for the better.
Outcomes may be uncertain, but success doesn’t need to be—when you adapt with complexity! Get Tackling Complexity and harness the power of complexity to reinvent your organization and yourself.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2022
9 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
About the author
Anu Rathninde
1 book4 followersAnu Rathninde is the president of Aptiv Electrical Distribution Systems-Asia Pacific, the world’s leader in fundamental technologies shaping the safe, green, and connected future of mobility. Based in Shanghai, he leads the multibillion-dollar business and its over thirty thousand employees and two thousand engineers in over 20 international locations throughout Asia.
For over 25 years, as a global citizen, Anu has successfully led large organizations in Asia, North America, and Europe. In Switzerland, he managed P&L responsibility for multiple global business units as the vice president of the automotive group of Johnson Electric. In North America, Anu managed P&L responsibility for Delphi Powertrain Electronics and Sensors business. He previously held senior leadership positions spanning engineering, program management, innovation, business development, and general management in the automotive and industrial business globally.
Anu holds five degrees, including a PhD from LIGS University, an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business, a master of global management from Thunderbird University, a master of mechatronics systems from the National University of Singapore, and a bachelor of science in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Peradeniya. He is a guest professor at the School of Business of East China University of Science and Technology. Anu also serves as the chairman of Aptiv Electric Systems Ltd.
Born in Sri Lanka, Anu now lives Shanghai, China, with his wife. His daughter, Lawanya, lives in New Zealand and son, Mihan, lives in Singapore. Learn more at www.anu-rathninde.com.
For over 25 years, as a global citizen, Anu has successfully led large organizations in Asia, North America, and Europe. In Switzerland, he managed P&L responsibility for multiple global business units as the vice president of the automotive group of Johnson Electric. In North America, Anu managed P&L responsibility for Delphi Powertrain Electronics and Sensors business. He previously held senior leadership positions spanning engineering, program management, innovation, business development, and general management in the automotive and industrial business globally.
Anu holds five degrees, including a PhD from LIGS University, an MBA from Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business, a master of global management from Thunderbird University, a master of mechatronics systems from the National University of Singapore, and a bachelor of science in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Peradeniya. He is a guest professor at the School of Business of East China University of Science and Technology. Anu also serves as the chairman of Aptiv Electric Systems Ltd.
Born in Sri Lanka, Anu now lives Shanghai, China, with his wife. His daughter, Lawanya, lives in New Zealand and son, Mihan, lives in Singapore. Learn more at www.anu-rathninde.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 16, 2022
Author Anu Rathninde has dedicated his life to understanding why some leaders are successful and others seem destined to fail. Recognizing that there is an abundance of literature on leadership, Rathninde takes a different approach. Leaders must embrace complexity, understanding that the very nature of complexity is uncertainty and that a leader’s mindset is what is standing in their way.
“Tackling Complexity” seeks to stand out uniquely from the broad array of leadership literature. Using the SILLA Model, Rathninde approaches this reading through the lens of personal experience and well-known breakdowns and successes in leadership throughout the years. Leaning heavily on General Electric, Boeing, Ford, and several other large, recognizable brands, “Tackling Complexity” dissects the company changes occurring when shifts in leadership took place. For instance, one well-known breakdown in leadership occurred when General Electric’s CEO Jack Welch, passed a very successful and brightly shining torch to Jeff Immelt, who quickly failed to continue the traditions of success instilled by Welch. Rathninde uses these stories and examples to compare and contrast against the SILLA leadership model consisting of five key elements in a never-ending loop of (1) Systems Thinking, (2) Internalization, (3) Interactions, (4) Learning, and (5) Adoption.
Leadership is no easy task. Leaders must model behavior and values while steering the organization in the right direction and aligning organizational goals. I appreciated Rathninde’s recognition that to do this, leaders must be aware of their technical and organizational knowledge gaps. Everyone knows leaders do not operate in a vacuum. For instance, Boeing’s CEO Dennis Muilenburg failed to recognize these gaps, which led to the eventual breakdown and catastrophic consequences when the MAX 737 was rushed to market and ultimately proved detrimental. Rathninde details this breakdown and where the gaps persisted that ultimately led to these unfortunate events, costing lives, jobs, and reputations. Using these highly publicized leadership failures, “Tackling Complexity” is able to provide unique perspectives, useful models, and a champion guide for leaders amongst a packed field of leadership studies and business resources. All industries and all levels of leaders will benefit from the SILLA model detailed within. Rathninde humbly shares his own experiences, personally and professionally, in this cumulation of his studies on leadership. Using distinguished names across several organizations, he is able to teach us from the experiences of others and offer solutions to embrace and understand the complex nature of leadership.
“Tackling Complexity” seeks to stand out uniquely from the broad array of leadership literature. Using the SILLA Model, Rathninde approaches this reading through the lens of personal experience and well-known breakdowns and successes in leadership throughout the years. Leaning heavily on General Electric, Boeing, Ford, and several other large, recognizable brands, “Tackling Complexity” dissects the company changes occurring when shifts in leadership took place. For instance, one well-known breakdown in leadership occurred when General Electric’s CEO Jack Welch, passed a very successful and brightly shining torch to Jeff Immelt, who quickly failed to continue the traditions of success instilled by Welch. Rathninde uses these stories and examples to compare and contrast against the SILLA leadership model consisting of five key elements in a never-ending loop of (1) Systems Thinking, (2) Internalization, (3) Interactions, (4) Learning, and (5) Adoption.
Leadership is no easy task. Leaders must model behavior and values while steering the organization in the right direction and aligning organizational goals. I appreciated Rathninde’s recognition that to do this, leaders must be aware of their technical and organizational knowledge gaps. Everyone knows leaders do not operate in a vacuum. For instance, Boeing’s CEO Dennis Muilenburg failed to recognize these gaps, which led to the eventual breakdown and catastrophic consequences when the MAX 737 was rushed to market and ultimately proved detrimental. Rathninde details this breakdown and where the gaps persisted that ultimately led to these unfortunate events, costing lives, jobs, and reputations. Using these highly publicized leadership failures, “Tackling Complexity” is able to provide unique perspectives, useful models, and a champion guide for leaders amongst a packed field of leadership studies and business resources. All industries and all levels of leaders will benefit from the SILLA model detailed within. Rathninde humbly shares his own experiences, personally and professionally, in this cumulation of his studies on leadership. Using distinguished names across several organizations, he is able to teach us from the experiences of others and offer solutions to embrace and understand the complex nature of leadership.
Read
August 10, 2022Author Anu Rathninde has dedicated his life to understanding why some leaders are successful and others seem destined to fail. Recognizing that there is an abundance of literature on leadership, Rathninde takes a different approach. Leaders must embrace complexity, understanding that the very nature of complexity is uncertainty and that a leader’s mindset is what is standing in their way.
“Tackling Complexity” seeks to stand out uniquely from the broad array of leadership literature. Using the SILLA Model, Rathninde approaches this reading through the lens of personal experience and well-known breakdowns and successes in leadership throughout the years. Leaning heavily on General Electric, Boeing, Ford, and several other large, recognizable brands, “Tackling Complexity” dissects the company changes occurring when shifts in leadership took place. For instance, one well-known breakdown in leadership occurred when General Electric’s CEO Jack Welch, passed a very successful and brightly shining torch to Jeff Immelt, who quickly failed to continue the traditions of success instilled by Welch. Rathninde uses these stories and examples to compare and contrast against the SILLA leadership model consisting of five key elements in a never-ending loop of (1) Systems Thinking, (2) Internalization, (3) Interactions, (4) Learning, and (5) Adoption.
Leadership is no easy task. Leaders must model behavior and values while steering the organization in the right direction and aligning organizational goals. I appreciated Rathninde’s recognition that to do this, leaders must be aware of their technical and organizational knowledge gaps. Everyone knows leaders do not operate in a vacuum. For instance, Boeing’s CEO Dennis Muilenburg failed to recognize these gaps, which led to the eventual breakdown and catastrophic consequences when the MAX 737 was rushed to market and ultimately proved detrimental. Rathninde details this breakdown and where the gaps persisted that ultimately led to these unfortunate events, costing lives, jobs, and reputations. Using these highly publicized leadership failures, “Tackling Complexity” is able to provide unique perspectives, useful models, and a champion guide for leaders amongst a packed field of leadership studies and business resources. All industries and all levels of leaders will benefit from the SILLA model detailed within. Rathninde humbly shares his own experiences, personally and professionally, in this cumulation of his studies on leadership. Using distinguished names across several organizations, he is able to teach us from the experiences of others and offer solutions to embrace and understand the complex nature of leadership
“Tackling Complexity” seeks to stand out uniquely from the broad array of leadership literature. Using the SILLA Model, Rathninde approaches this reading through the lens of personal experience and well-known breakdowns and successes in leadership throughout the years. Leaning heavily on General Electric, Boeing, Ford, and several other large, recognizable brands, “Tackling Complexity” dissects the company changes occurring when shifts in leadership took place. For instance, one well-known breakdown in leadership occurred when General Electric’s CEO Jack Welch, passed a very successful and brightly shining torch to Jeff Immelt, who quickly failed to continue the traditions of success instilled by Welch. Rathninde uses these stories and examples to compare and contrast against the SILLA leadership model consisting of five key elements in a never-ending loop of (1) Systems Thinking, (2) Internalization, (3) Interactions, (4) Learning, and (5) Adoption.
Leadership is no easy task. Leaders must model behavior and values while steering the organization in the right direction and aligning organizational goals. I appreciated Rathninde’s recognition that to do this, leaders must be aware of their technical and organizational knowledge gaps. Everyone knows leaders do not operate in a vacuum. For instance, Boeing’s CEO Dennis Muilenburg failed to recognize these gaps, which led to the eventual breakdown and catastrophic consequences when the MAX 737 was rushed to market and ultimately proved detrimental. Rathninde details this breakdown and where the gaps persisted that ultimately led to these unfortunate events, costing lives, jobs, and reputations. Using these highly publicized leadership failures, “Tackling Complexity” is able to provide unique perspectives, useful models, and a champion guide for leaders amongst a packed field of leadership studies and business resources. All industries and all levels of leaders will benefit from the SILLA model detailed within. Rathninde humbly shares his own experiences, personally and professionally, in this cumulation of his studies on leadership. Using distinguished names across several organizations, he is able to teach us from the experiences of others and offer solutions to embrace and understand the complex nature of leadership
September 28, 2022
Tackling Complexity, by Anu Rathninde, is a book written for and intended for leaders. Its aim is to help them become a better version of themselves and to learn from their own or other leaders' mistakes. The book's seven parts each focus on a different aspect of the SIILA model. In addition, they include the writer's personal experience, giving readers a real-life look at things.
Rathninde writes in a very detailed way, guiding the reader through every concept, even writing a short summary of each part at the end of it. This helps readers review concepts and internalize them. The author also addresses the reader directly, more than once, to strengthen the point and to give suggestions on how to be and become a better leader.
As a reader keen on details, I appreciated the examples taken from contemporary situations. The writer provides the reader with plenty of examples, complete with data, names, and everything that might help contextualize them and that will help the reader understand the concept explained in the paragraph. Furthermore, the focus on variety, complexity, and interdependency helps readers feel part of the process as common situations happen in every work context.
In addition, the book revolves around the SIILA model, a loop of system thinking, internalizing, interaction, learning, and adapting. This model helps the entrepreneur or CEO in question to analyze their own habits and correct them when necessary. It is well described and uses the metaphor of parental love to explain the tough love one has to feel for their own work, which matches their dedication to the process.
Tackling Complexity, by Anu Rathninde, is an enlightening business management book focusing on the personal growth of a leader. With its suggestions and examples that make the reader understand what a good leader is, it can help everyone achieve good results in their own workplace. I recommend this book to any reader keen on self-help books, leaders in need of a guide, and anyone interested in leadership development.
Rathninde writes in a very detailed way, guiding the reader through every concept, even writing a short summary of each part at the end of it. This helps readers review concepts and internalize them. The author also addresses the reader directly, more than once, to strengthen the point and to give suggestions on how to be and become a better leader.
As a reader keen on details, I appreciated the examples taken from contemporary situations. The writer provides the reader with plenty of examples, complete with data, names, and everything that might help contextualize them and that will help the reader understand the concept explained in the paragraph. Furthermore, the focus on variety, complexity, and interdependency helps readers feel part of the process as common situations happen in every work context.
In addition, the book revolves around the SIILA model, a loop of system thinking, internalizing, interaction, learning, and adapting. This model helps the entrepreneur or CEO in question to analyze their own habits and correct them when necessary. It is well described and uses the metaphor of parental love to explain the tough love one has to feel for their own work, which matches their dedication to the process.
Tackling Complexity, by Anu Rathninde, is an enlightening business management book focusing on the personal growth of a leader. With its suggestions and examples that make the reader understand what a good leader is, it can help everyone achieve good results in their own workplace. I recommend this book to any reader keen on self-help books, leaders in need of a guide, and anyone interested in leadership development.
January 29, 2023
excellent Model
Anu presents his model SIILA to teach leadership in a complex environment. His ability to weave personal experiences with common sense techniques and then turn them into leadership habits is powerful. I’m recommending this book to my team.
Anu presents his model SIILA to teach leadership in a complex environment. His ability to weave personal experiences with common sense techniques and then turn them into leadership habits is powerful. I’m recommending this book to my team.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews