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The art of setting direction.

3 min readJun 17, 2025

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Neom on Unsplash

Finding or setting direction is both a science and an art.

Sometimes, it is obscured by certainty.

We begin with a strong sense of what we think we’re looking for. But in complexity, that certainty often points to something else: a surface-level goal, a prescribed next step, or a “should” that doesn’t quite sit right.

The more genuine sense of direction only emerges when we slow down, become curious and look again.

The other day in a workshop, a leadership team came in with a clear brief:

“Help us find a hybrid work strategy that works for everyone.”

It’s a valid request, albeit relatively narrow. And we could have immediately applied the Waysfinder framework to do just that.

But as the conversation unfolded, something else began to shimmer beneath the surface.

Why the focus on hybrid work?

“Because some employees aren’t coming to the office, despite a three-day-a-week policy.”

Why the three-day mandate?

“Because collaboration works better when we’re physically together.”

How often do these employees actually need to collaborate?

“Not that often, they’re developers who mostly work alone.”

So why the insistence on being in the office?

“Because our culture is rooted in togetherness. We want to create an atmosphere where people want to come in.”

And there it was.

The truer direction: less about logistics, more about belonging.

Once that deeper intent surfaced, the horizon of possibility widened.

A hybrid work strategy might be one expression of that intent. But if the real desire is to cultivate a felt sense of togetherness, there are many other paths to explore. Including:

  • What does togetherness look like when we’re not in the office?
  • How might togetherness mean different things to different people?
  • If this matters so deeply, should it also inform hiring strategies?

This is the kind of shift that can only happen when we pause long enough to notice what’s underneath the question we’re being asked. And if we are courageous enough to ask hard questions.

Direction Can Also Emerge Through Drift

There are also times when direction only reveals itself when we stop trying to force it.

When we let go of the “shoulds” … by now we should know where we’re going; leaders should have a clear intent …

When we allow ourselves to meander, to test, to experiment …until something resonates.

This isn't easy in a world that pathologises not having a plan. However, this space of not knowing is often the birthplace of new momentum and creativity.

This is not a passive stance; it requires a different kind of presence and attunement.

It’s COOL.

  • Courage to stay with discomfort and not rush to premature clarity
  • Openness to explore, especially at the edges
  • Observing what feels alive vs. what depletes
  • Lightness to play, to loosen identity, and to let emergence surprise us

It’s not about aimless wandering. It’s about dignifying drift —recognising it as a legitimate and even necessary phase of orientation, especially in complex situations.

Because sometimes, the most powerful direction comes not from deciding, but from discerning.

Not from forcing a path, but from tuning in to where aliveness is calling.

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Sonja Blignaut
Sonja Blignaut

Written by Sonja Blignaut

Exploring our relationship with uncertainty. Enabling future fitness. Complexity nerd, Waysfinder, Artist, Scientist. https://complexityfit.com

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