HANDLING INFORMATION OVERLOAD

…is really learning to handle complexity.

In a world drenched in information, handling overload isn’t about consuming more or faster — it’s about learning to navigate complexity.

How do we develop a more present, critical and reflective approach to information, where we actively choose what is relevant and how to use it? The answer may lie in understanding context, systems, and our own role in the process.

Take a deep breath to sink into presence and maybe cleverly and critically skip to whatever is relevant to you.

This piece is based on and inspired by observations aligned with my own in the life work of Gitta Payn. Art in possession of Brian Børge Andersen by your writer May-Britt Vangsgaard Andersen.

Imagine a friend.

Imagine your friend as a system.

Raise complexity by imagining a stranger you don't like. Raise complexity by imagining a team or organization or society. Raise complexity by imagining yourself.

A Bit About Autopoiesis

At the heart of systemic thinking is the principle of autopoiesis. Autopoietic systems — like living organisms and social systems — are self-creating and self-referential. They maintain their structure and identity through internal processes and are "closed" to external information. This doesn’t mean they ignore external input but that information only emerges through interactions within the system’s own dynamics. Recognizing this self-generative nature of systems can reshape how we approach challenges, focusing more on collaboration and adaptation than on control.

Focus on Communication Context

Rather than imposing our solutions onto systems, we should strive to understand their internal logic and the contextual factors that influence their behavior. Every system has its unique dynamics, and recognizing these nuances allows us to interact with them effectively rather than forcing incompatible frameworks onto them.

Communication as Selection

A key shift in understanding comes from redefining communication. Instead of a simple transmission of information from sender to receiver, communication is a threefold selection process:

1. To mean – Deciding on the content or intent of the message.

2. To communicate – Selecting how to convey the message.

3. To understand – Interpreting the message, influenced by the receiver’s context.

Each step involves a narrowing of possibilities, with the system (whether an individual or a group or an organization or society) making its own choices about how to process and respond.

The Limits of Control in Communication

We often assume we can ensure others will understand us exactly as we intend. However, systemic principles highlight the constraints on this assumption. We cannot control how someone else interprets our message. Despite our best efforts to communicate clearly, their understanding will always be shaped by their unique context and preconceptions.

Taking Responsibility for Our Own Understanding

This realization shifts the focus inward. Effective communication starts with awareness of our own interpretative processes. Our preconceptions and mental frameworks significantly shape how we perceive the world and others’ messages. By being more conscious of these filters, we can minimize misunderstandings and foster better collaboration.

The Bigger Picture: Being Present with Ourselves in Complexity

Handling information overload isn’t about mastering more information — it’s about being present with ourselves within complex systems. By embracing the self-generating nature of systems, focusing on communication context, and refining our communication and interpretation skills, we empower ourselves to navigate the noise with clarity and purpose. Information becomes less overwhelming and more actionable, when we see it - not as an external force to control - but as a dynamic process to engage and dance with critically and reflectively.

Ultimately

…handling complexity is about learning not just to manage systems but to respect their autonomy and adapt alongside them. Learning this can make us more resilient, thoughtful, effective, present and able to love in a world that sometimes feels chaotic.

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I transform organizations by weaving together visionary leadership, cultural expertise, and innovative learning strategies. Currently, I guide towards values-driven leadership, living innovation ecosystems, and collaborative learning to inspire organizational and societal progress. My unique ability to bring together cohesive, energized teams and drive large-scale initiatives helps people across organizations step into their potential as true leaders creating the future together.

Feel free to reach out, if your team needs to learn how to handle information overload.