The Complicity Inquiry Framework
by Jerry Colonna • Co-founder & CEO at Reboot
Jerry Colonna is a renowned executive coach often referred to as the 'CEO Whisperer.' Formerly a prominent venture capitalist at Flatiron Partners, he now focuses on the intersection of leadership, psychological growth, and resiliency.
🎙️ Episode Context
Jerry Colonna discusses the critical importance of 'radical self-inquiry' for leaders to prevent burnout and build high-functioning teams. He breaks down the psychological patterns that cause founders to self-sabotage, introduces his signature framework for uncovering personal complicity in unwanted outcomes, and explains why practical skills alone are insufficient for modern leadership.
Problem It Solves
Leaders feeling victimized by their circumstances, overwhelmed by busyness, or stuck in repetitive negative patterns without seeing a way out.
Framework Overview
A psychological tool to shift from blame to agency. By asking how one is complicit (like an accomplice, not necessarily responsible/guilty) in creating unwanted conditions, leaders uncover the hidden benefits or 'delusions' driving their behaviors.
🧠 Framework Structure
Ask the core question: 'How have I be...
Distinguish 'Complicity' from 'Respon...
Identify the 'Hidden Benefit': What p...
Reclaim Agency: Once the delusion is ...
When to Use
When you feel stuck, constantly complain about a situation (e.g., 'I'm too busy'), or feel powerless in your role.
Common Mistakes
Confusing complicity with self-blame/shame, or answering superficially without digging into the emotional payoff.
Real World Example
A CEO complains that her team can't make decisions without her. Upon inquiry, she realizes she is 'complicit' because she gets furious when they make decisions she disagrees with, thus training them to be dependent.
The purpose of this question is actually to evoke your own agency. A perfect example of that would be, I say I don't want to feel busy all the time, but the truth of the matter is I feel really unnerved... if my agenda isn't jam-packed.
— Jerry Colonna