Complexity: a personal reflection

When you hear the word complexity, what comes to mind?
Does it have positive or negative connotations? Or is it more nuanced, depending on context?

This question occurred to me a few days ago, and when I paused to reflect on it, I was surprised by my own answer.

I realised that my definition of complexity changes depending on the language I use for the word.

English is not my mother tongue. It’s my third language. But it’s the language I have used most of my adult life, to study, work, and communicate.

For me, the word complexity in English has negative connotations, perhaps because I only started using it in the context of my work helping businesses solve persistent problems.

I’ve worked in medical education and pharmaceutical marketing for over 12 years. In this field, the ability to simplify complex information and convey it to a variety of audiences is a valuable and sought-after skill. The assumption is that complexity leads to confusion, red tape, and that it delays or impedes clinical decision-making.

In my work with systems thinking, I’ve encountered many programmes and courses that promise to help navigate complexity, complexity consultants, complexity coaches, and complexity thought partners. As with my marketing work…