Episode 5: Wicked Problems and Conscious Decision Making with Dr Nadya Zhexembayeva in Inspirational Insights to Action Podcast by Dawna Jones
Harnessing Agility: Embracing Possibility
We are living in exciting times, but also challenging ones. The world has become more complex and so have our lives. There is a need for new ways of thinking that can help us navigate this complexity and make sense of the future. The Inspirational Insights podcast (Insight to Action) brings you different perspectives on how we can make sense of our complex world, and find solutions for leadership challenges while creating a better future for everyone. Adversity is an opportunity to be better at being human in connection to nature and to an inspiring purpose.
Inspirational Insights is an enlightening and inspiring podcast that covers personal business, global issues, decision-making leadership, and leading in complexity. The show’s topics range from next-gen to consciousness shifting with the goal of reconnecting decisions and impact to caring about biodiversity by sharing practical insights on how we can all make a difference now.
How Conscious Leaders Solve Wicked Problems in a Finite World
In this wide-ranging and thought-provoking episode, Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva joins host Dawna Jones to unpack the grand assumptions that have long dominated business thinking—and why they no longer serve us in a world of resource scarcity, climate disruption, and economic volatility. Framed through the lens of “wicked problems”—issues too complex for linear solutions—this conversation challenges leaders to develop new decision-making skills rooted in systemic awareness, empathy, and long-term impact.
What You’ll Learn
You’ll learn why traditional management tools built for stability are dangerously outdated, and how companies must confront false assumptions—like infinite resources or human capital as expendable—to remain viable. Dr. Nadya breaks down how 20th-century business logic created an illusion of abundance, and why businesses must now shift from short-term extraction to long-term regeneration. This episode explores the mindset shifts, leadership models, and systems thinking approaches needed to address complex global challenges with more ethical, sustainable choices.
Who This Is For
- CEOs and executives facing growing pressure for sustainable innovation
- Strategy and operations leaders seeking resilient business models
- Conscious decision-makers navigating complexity and ethical trade-offs
- Consultants and educators guiding organizational transformation
3 Key Takeaways from This Episode
1. Scarcity Is the New Normal
Dr. Nadya unpacks why the 20th-century illusion of falling resource prices is over. Companies that don’t adjust to rising material costs and degraded natural assets will face existential risk. Reinvention starts with challenging long-standing economic myths.
2. Linear Thinking Doesn’t Solve Nonlinear Problems
Complex issues like climate change or global supply chain collapse can’t be tackled with traditional problem-solving. Dr.Nadya and Dawna emphasize the power of systems thinking and “sensing” skills as tools for navigating uncertainty with more agility.
3. We Must Rethink the Value of Human Capital
Outdated business models prioritize capital assets over people—often at great cost. Nadya highlights how this mindset leads to unethical decisions and burnout. Conscious leadership requires honoring human insight, care, and empathy as strategic advantages.
Resources Mentioned
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