Managing Complexity in the 21st Century: Entrepreneurship Mindsets

Abstract

The World Economic Forum 2020 says the top skills employers need include critical thinking and analysis, problem-solving, and self-management skills to help grapple with increasingly complex and interconnected challenges. Managing complexity in the 21st century requires a nuanced understanding of how things connect. It requires different types of intelligence. It also requires confidence to lead amid uncertainty.

The skills in this course are for anyone who wants to take a proactive approach to the complex challenges of the 21st century, and take ownership of their own performance and achievements. The Entrepreneurial Mindset is for everyone!

6 BIG things that make this course unique: - There are five main subject matter streams that aim to increase your confidence in managing complexity; system thinking, futures thinking, innovation, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. These subjects empower you with skills to engage with complex contexts and contribute effectively to innovation. - Think about entrepreneurship differently, as an approach to life. - This is the first course to incorporate the published version of The Deployability Index®, a matrix of competencies associated with the entrepreneurial mindset. - The course is narratively driven, and you are the main character. The course reads like a story; there are four unique chapters of the story, each depicting a day-in-the-life of the future date Monday, October 6, 2031. - You will find yourself immersed in four different possible futures in 2031. Professional futures thinking techniques drove the design of these immersive scenarios. - The course has an accompanying serious game! Wicked 21st is a cooperative board game that simulates managing complexity as you attempt to solve “Wicked Problems” together. It can be played by 3-7 players, and is available inside the course.

The assignments in Managing Complexity are designed to be reflective in nature and suited to the level of the course. The course provides many opportunities for learners to demonstrate understanding and application of concepts as there is a variety of opportunities for learners to submit personal reflections and complete the Deployability Index to receive feedback on their growth, learning, and understanding of course material and concepts.

Core Learning Outcomes: - Collaboration including the role of collaborative tools and practices in structuring a collaborative environment. - Emotional Intelligence including the difference between sympathy and empathy, and how empathy can build trust. - Futures Thinking including the necessity of a forward thinking orientation and tools such as the Futures Wheel and tracking emerging trends. - Systems Thinking including the difference between design intention and system function. - Process of Innovation including the skills and toolkits that are needed by an entrepreneur or intrapreneur. - Assessing confidence and mindset growth in entrepreneurship.