Leadership and the New Science

Mary Apostolaki Johansen

George Xintarakis

December 2012

Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 1992, CA

Table of ContentIntroduction

1. The Orderly World

2. Newtonian Organizations

3. Invisible Fields

4. The Participative Nature of the Universe

5. Self-Organizing Systems

6. Information

7. Chaos

8. The New Scientific Management

Epilogue

´´We live in a time of chaos, as rich in the potential for disaster

as for new possibilities!´´

1.Discovering an Orderly World

Autopoiesis

Newtonian Physics v/s Quantum Physics

Chaos Theory

2.Newtonian Organizations in a Quantum Age

Most Organizations are Newtonian

The end of Newtonian thinking

Quantum Mechanics

3.Space is not Empty

4. The participative Nature of the Universe

5. Self-Organizing Systems

A condition in which all acting influences are canceled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced or unchanging system

N-W=0

F-f=0

Equilibrium:

Closed Systems

Organization

Isolation

Isolation

Isolation

Isolation

Eroding forces of Nature

Entropy

Deterioration

Decay

Death

Influence

Disturbances

Open Systems

Process

Autopoiesis

Influence

Disturbances

Viability

Change

Growth

Access

Input

Learning

Disequilibrium

Proc

ess

Feedback

6. InformationThe Creative Energy of the Universe

DNA

Energy

Ability to process

Information is not static content but

dynamic continually generated element

The greatest generator of information:

ChaosLess control more order

Organizations qualify as conscious entities, as they:

• generate and absorb information

• communicate and exchange feedback

• are self-regulated

Consciousness

Equilibrium Busters

• Parts vs. the Whole

• Select information vs. Transmit all information (holograms)

• Gather information from new connections

• Amplify information (interpret differently)

• Give freedom (autonomy)

7. Chaos

Strange Attractor

Order without predictability

Organizations with a Fractal Quality

• Create complexity from simplicity

• Slightest variation to explosive result (butterfly effect)

• Need to study the whole

• Measure the quality of the system

• Each part is free to express itself within the system

My Organization – a Strange Attractor

Purpose

Creativity

Energy

Free Will

Values

Vision

My Life – a Strange Attractor

Purpose

Activities

Events

8. The New Scientific Management

Identify and understand interrelationships

Tell stories

Laugh more

Enhance participation

Be a leader of relationships

Let information flow

Give autonomy to the system

Epilogue

Old approach New approach