Leadership and management in a complex world
Management theories
A summary of classic 20th-century management theories, their weaknesses and different attempts to resolve them.
The basic concepts
Complex/dynamic
non-linear systems (such as those that involve people!) don't always
find themselves susceptible to management theories based on
machine metaphors, which many fall into. Drawing on chaos/complexity
theory can be a fruitful alternative, though as this can be rather
esoteric, it takes a bit of thinking through before we can apply it
usefully to leadership and management. The papers below are my attempts
to do just that.
This is a good (and short) online summary of the basics of chaos theory.
Letting Go : chaos theory and the management of organisations
This was a first attempt of mine to apply the basic concepts of chaos theory to management questions.
Comparing Classic Scientific and Dynamic Non-Linear change methods
Managing Change in Dynamic Non-Linear Systems
These papers represent my thinking as it developed further, though it
is worth reading the theoretical stuff first to get the conceptual
basis.
Websites that include other material on dynamic/non-linear approaches to change include:
If you want an example of self-organisation occurring in human systems, watch this.
Applying these ideas
Some of this thinking also underlies the ideas in my book World of Difference.
Postmodern leadership -a few ideas
Some early explorations by me of what all this stuff might mean.
Investing In People
Nothing to do with the Quality Standard, but an approach to staff
management that goes way beyond the "our people are our greatest
assets" cliche.
At Play In The Fields Of The Lord
What structures and systems can encourage innovation, a discipline needed to respond to as-yet-unforeseen challenges?
Finding Out What You Already Know
How to encourage organisational learning in complex/dynamic organisations.
Midget Gems, Lions and Wolves
A few reflections on a Christian approach to power dynamics in human relationships.
home