Situational Awareness & Strategy: How Wardley Mapping Helps Leaders Navigate Complexity

How do leaders make confident decisions in a world ofconstant disruption, rapid technological change, and growing complexity?

In this episode of The esynergy Podcast, Ulrike Eder (CMO, esynergy) sits down with Simon Wardley, renowned strategist and creator of Wardley Maps, to explore why so many organisations struggle with situational awareness — and how mapping can change that.

Simon shares the origins of Wardley Mapping, the patterns he observed in historical strategy, and how maps help leaders understand their competitive landscape, user needs, and sources of value. The conversation also dives into the evolution of AI, predictions for future technology shifts, and the risks of chasing “shiny new” innovations without strategic context.

Key topics covered:• Why leaders struggle to make informed decisions without effective maps• Situational awareness and its role in modern business strategy• The evolution of Wardley Mapping and how it reveals hidden complexity• AI, large language models, and what’s coming next• Common strategic mistakes, organisational inertia, and how leaders can overcome them• The emerging role of games and open-source models in executive decision-making

This episode is essential listening for business leaders, strategists, technologists, and executives looking to sharpen their strategic thinking, navigate uncertainty, and make better decisions in complex environments.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.