When you live and/or work in complex situations, it is impossible to be or do all things. It is essential that you find your place in the complexity. In the best of situations, roles are well assigned and hierarchy or collective leadership well defined, but this rarely occurs. Instead, amidst the chaos, you have to find your place.
I remember a time when this happened at school. The potential was limitless, yet support was limited. Where would I invest my energy in ways that truly made a difference in meaningful ways? Eventually, colleagues and I created a shared teaching model that was a wonderful solution--that shared teaching model gave us a meaningful, significant context in which we could do great work together.
Now, faced with another complex situation, it's essential that I find my place in the complexity. What can I do? As I did in the teaching situation, I'll acknowledge the comrades I have here--people who share my vision, understanding, and goals. I'll also focus on the strengths I bring to the situation which include time, care, ability to do a lot of the hard, daily work, and understanding of the situation. I'll acknowledge what I can't do too. I can't easily break through old myths, prejudices, and closed mindedness. I can't expect others to share my vision, understanding, and goals as there are multiple perspectives here. And, I can't manage the unpredictable, unmanageable aspects of the situation. Simply put, I can do what I can, and cannot do what I cannot do.
No matter what the complexities are that we face, we can play a role, but it is unlikely that we can play every role. It is essential to find your place in complex situations, and within that place do what you can to support the best potential the situation holds. Onward.