Complications arise when circumstances create an obstacle, require effort to hurdle through and move ahead or a problem arises that appears difficult to resolve .

I wonder how much of these complication are in fact of our own making.  In our head, so to speak, we devise problems that don’t exist.

To some degree I have observed others devise and communicate complications during a team collaboration, a behaviour I suspect is largely a way to gain recognition and be percieved as important.

Without Accountability

One of my greatest frustrations is when individuals are participating in a meeting,  or other collaborative activity, without clear purpose or accountability.

In these case the temptation for them to create complications simply to justify their presence is high.  What a waste of both everyones effort and of course efficiency and effectiveness fly out the window.

Hidden Agenda

Less frequent but just as frustrating are those occassions when someone raises complications just to be purposely disruptive.  These cases are usually motivated by some hidden agenda (e.g., derail the work, stop a change from occuring and so on)

Relax, Coast on Thru

Frustration, anger, paying attention to these silly complications in any way just feeds the disruptors motive.  Firm, polite facilitation toward the goal (which is was clearly stated up front) is a great mitigator of those who complicate.

I frequently find other participants readily support going back on track.  By not paying attention or getting hooked by extraneous and unecessary complications you will find the odds of achieving your objective rise significantly.