Complexity has been identified as the number one issue for leadership today to understand and deal with - and yet most are ill-equiped to do so (IBM Global CEO's report).
This site offers insights into leadership and innovation which complement more traditional views. It uses insights from complexity science to give a different and leading edge view of leadership, as well as to suggest how leaders can deal with complexity.
This site is arranged as a journey - click through to discover how leadership can learn from complexity science and chaos theory, and how to get a whole lot more for a whole lot less.
"Time will show, I believe, that these theories and practices allow individuals to grow faster, contribute more, ensure greater stability, and, most importantly, allow individual autonomy." CEO reader quoted at www.Amazon.com
".....a startlingly worthwhile read for a business manager keen to develop a practical understanding of different strategies with which to engage subordinates.....an entertaining, highly readable, well set out and informative book. " Integral Leadership Review For full review click here
"We loveNick Obolensky's writing. He is erudite, enthusiastic and fascinating in equal measure, and his article offers perspectives on leading in a complex environment that may bring a ‘eureka’ moment for a number of readers"
A few short videos from a webinar that summarises some of the main ideas:
The first part of the webinar looked at the context, how this has changed faster than we can change our assumptions about leadership, and some of the consequences. CLICK HERE. The webinar then looked at a simulation played in another conference showing how the dynamics of leadershp and complexity can work. CLICK HERE.
The webinar then looked at 8 organisational principles to manage complexity. CLICK ON IMAGE
The webinar went on to consider 4 leadership behaviours that can be employed, and how they can be mixed. The balance and adaptiveness of the 300+ managers who attended was also explored, with some key recommendations. CLICK ON IMAGE.
OVERVIEW OF THIS WEB SITE:
The Context Pages of the site explain why the world has become more complex, and how traditional approaches to leadership are becoming less effective.
There are many lessons that one can draw from Complexity Science and Chaos Theory which can help leaders navigate these challenging times. The Lesson Pages of the site explore some of these.
Butterfly Effect
Fractals
Attractors
4+4 principles
On the Organisational Leadership level, Complex Adaptive Leadership is practised by ensuring 8 principles are in place. These allow leadership to become more of a shared dynamic and concern of all, rather than a specific role or challenge for the few.
On the Individual Leadership level, Complex Adaptive Leadership is based on a simple dynamic which has great complexity. The greatest challenge is for leaders to learn how to follow, and followers to learn how to lead. This site explains how complexity based on simplicity can exist within leadership .
As the organisation becomes more fluid and flexible, and leadership becomes more adaptive, the opportunity to be innovative will grow. There are four key "innovation spaces" which demand separate strategies (click here for more). The key for leadership is to understand which space the organisation is in, and then ensure it has what it needs to move forward.
The site offers free membership for a wide range of resources and support, from links to publications, from a blog/wiki site for shared experiences to self-assessment questionnaires. Register in our Guest Book here to be alerted when new resource is made ready. Consultancy and innovative leadership development programmes are already available from our consultancy services. Meanwhile click here to start the journey.
"A real tour de force. In a class of its own from being well grounded both in the science and in practical experience"
Margaret J. Wheatley, author of "Leadership and the New Science"
Other endorsements for "Complex Adaptive Leadership: Embracing Paradox and Uncertainty"
'... Obolensky brilliantly argues the case ... excellent practical advice...' — Philip Sadler CBE, Vice-president, Ashridge Business School, Senior Fellow, Tomorrow's Company
'... wonderfully clear, thorough and provocative ...' — Professor Jonathan Gosling, Centre for Leadership Studies, Exeter University, UK
'... a novel, provocative and useful approach to leadership ... mind-stretching concepts ... witty anecdotes ... practical advice ...' — Julian Birkinshaw, Professor of Strategic & International Management, London Business School, UK
'... ground-breaking thinking ... significant new perspectives ...'- — Mike Williams, author of Mastering Leadership
"....provides an excellent conceptual framework that permits a comprehensive analysis of every aspect of leadership....." - First Trust Bank Economic Outlook and Business Review
"....a startlingly worthwhile read for a business manager keen to develop a practical understanding of different strategies with which to engage subordinates....a clever integration of ideas about leadership as well as a practical guide...an entertaining, highly readable, well set out and informative book." - Integral Leadership Review
And from Amazon.com readers' reviews:
".....an essential contribution to knowledge management."
".....a very comprehensive and helpful review of thinking around complex adaptive thinking."
".....a great book with a lot of great visuals and information from research findings and I found it intellectually stimulating."
".....accessible, relevant, easily applicable and fabulously well referenced with lots of interesting and illuminating stories and anecdotes.......an invaluable resource which deserves to be highly influential."
British Academy of Management Annual Conference
Explanation of paper "Chaos Leadership and polyarchy - countering leadership stress?"
The brief publication "Chaos Leadership and Polyarchy - Countering leadership stress?" was produced recently by the Centre of Leadership Studies in the UK (Click on Chaos Leadership image). It touches on some of the points raised in this web site. This site gives some of the key insights and groundbreaking research findings amplified in a new book published by Gower; there is a flyer offering a discount above.
