A633.2.3.RB - Shuck, Allison

Complexity Science

In order to appreciate complexity science and theory in organizations, we must first understand the fundamental dynamics of polyarchy. Polyarchy is a revolutionary idea designed to overthrow the assumptions of anarchy (having no leaders - chaos) and oligarchy (have some leaders); Polyarchy simply means having multiple leaders.  So what does complexity science have to do with this? Complexity science provides insight into chaos/complexity and facilitates more effective understanding of polyarchy.  Simply put, complexity science tells us that the underlining nature of reality is chaotic and uncertain, but within chaos and uncertainty, there is order. So, a leader must strive to understand chaos rather than avoid it or replace it.

Based on the information above, it goes without saying that both complex and chaotic system have an underlying pattern. But what happens if we change that pattern?  Any small change within a complex or chaotic system can produce large results that may have otherwise been unpredictable. So, in leadership terms, any small change within an organizations policy could produce large results. Let’s evaluate! Embry Riddle sought to provide its students with the option of choosing his or her learning modality. In the past online student could not take campus classes and campus student could not take online classes. Why, because the number of weeks within a scheduled term were different. Online terms were 9 weeks in length and campus terms were 12 weeks in length. So, in order for Embry Riddle to make this change, the organization had to change the number of weeks within a schedules term, making all terms the same; all terms were change to 9 weeks in length. This small change not only gave students the ability of choosing his or her leaning modality, (Online, Campus, EV Home, EV Class, or Blended) but, it allowed financial aid to be applied to  all classes, no matter the modality, within a schedule term (This use to not be the case due to overlapping term dates).

So let’s review! Any small changes within an organizations policy can produce large results. Chaos has under order and exhibits complex behaviors. “Complex science shows that complexity has an inherent and underlying simplicity” (Obolensky, 2010, pg.91).  And, polyarchy is the fusion of anarchy and oligarchy.  So in order for a leader effective, he or she must strive to understand chaos rather than avoid it or replace it.

Obolensky, N. (2010). Complex adaptive leadership: embracing paradox and uncertainty. Farnham, Surrey: Gower. Pg. 49 – 91.