Practical Wisdom for Leaders with Scott J. Allen, Ph.D. Schools Are Complex Adaptive Systems, Not Complicated Machines with Nick Hart
Jan 7, 2026
Nick Hart, the Principal at Horizon English School in Dubai and an expert in educational leadership, discusses the complex nature of schools as adaptive systems rather than simple machines. He emphasizes that every member of a school community plays a role in steering its mission. Hart dives into the challenges of feedback loops, the importance of distributed leadership, and strategies for embedding development into daily routines. He also explores innovative decision-making frameworks and the significance of clear communication and cultural design in educational settings.
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Schools Are Complex Adaptive Systems
- Schools function as complex adaptive systems rather than complicated machines with linear cause-effect chains.
- Nick Hart warns that everyone in a school nudges the organization toward purpose, so leadership must accept distributed influence.
Avoid Quick Fixes For Adaptive Problems
- Do avoid treating adaptive educational problems as simple technical fixes like swapping curriculum or resources.
- Instead, experiment, accept delayed feedback, and design interventions to learn over weeks, months, or years.
Move Beyond The Hero Leader
- Leadership-as-hero clashes with complex reality; getting on the balcony alone won't solve adaptive issues.
- Hart argues leaders must move beyond lone-expert myths and enable others to hold ambiguity.