The Ideas
Our ideas, based on extensive research published to much acclaim, are at three levels:
- CONTEXTUAL. The context of leadership has changed faster than our assumptions of what it is, in complex volatile times.
- ORGANISATIONAL. 8 key principles need to be in place for organisations to be adaptive and self-organised.
- INDIVIDUAL. 4 key leadership strategies can be blended and used to know when to hold on, and when to let go.
These three levels are explored in more detail in the videos below of a web conference held for 300 managers around the world.
The first part of the webinar looked some of the contextual aspects, how this has changed faster than we can change our assumptions about leadership, and some of the consequences.
Secondly, the webinar then looked at an organisational challenge simulation played in another conference showing how the dynamics of leadership and complexity can work.
After looking at the simulation (which was also run as a thought experiment), the webinar summarised 8 organisational principles to manage complexity.
Finally the webinar went on to consider the 4 individual 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.
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.
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 executive leadership development programmes are already available from our services.
Meanwhile click here to start the journey.