Structures, innovations, dynamics

What distinguishes true leadership in times of hyper-complexity? How can we create a culture of innovation which also provides enough guidance? How do we deal with the contradictions inherent in the current circumstances? How do we drive systemic and structural change at the ZHdK, so that it runs through the entire university as a mind shift, skill shift and culture shift, from management right through to the operational level?

Addressing these and similar questions has shown that, especially at management level, digital excellence requires much more than just the skilled use of technical tools; it implies a fundamental re-thinking of approaches and processes. In these times of rapid change and high uncertainty, excellent leaders and decision-makers need to be aware of the concrete opportunities and risks of digitalization, particularly in moments of strategic decision-making. They need to have the courage to try new approaches and to adapt them dynamically. In terms of the institution, digital excellence requires the seemless interplay of strategic and operational levels, so as to ensure that novel tools and processes are implemented comprehensively.

For further information on the topic "Structures, innovations, dynamics", please contact Eva Pauline Bossow or Stefano Vannotti.

  • Managers and other decision-makers are facing major challenges in the context of digital transformation and social change. In the workshop "Uncertainty, loss aversion and conflicting goals – decision-making in turbulent times", Stefano Vannotti and Eva Pauline Bossow showed how central phenomena of our time can be tackled successfully, using design methods. This approach not only helps to manage complex situations with simple principles; it also contributes to the general mindshift, skillshift and cultureshift.

  • Much of our habitual thinking and decision-making is based on predictions about the future. But what if the outcome is completely open because the parameters and conditions are constantly changing? How can I function in such situations, as a decision-maker in organisations, as a manager or just in my private life? In the workshop "Effectuation – a pragmatic method for uncertain futures", Eva Pauline Bossow and Stefano Vannotti presented effectuation as a way of approaching the future in terms of its malleability and by consciously taking uncertainties into account.