Complexity Theory & Innovation?

• Complexity theory is the study of the behavior of

large collections of simple, interacting units,
endowed with the potential to evolve with time.
• Complexity is about the dynamics of interaction,
and how those dynamics are generative of
emergent adaptability and creativity.
• This paradigm is about adaptability and
creativity, and about how leadership participates
in the complexity dynamic.
Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS)

• The primary unit of analysis in complexity theory

• Sets of interactive agents (associates) linked by
common purpose(s), outlooks, etc.
• Internally and externally interactive, cross- and
inter-embedded
• Interdependent in varying degrees
• Emergence occurs in context of interaction,
interdependency, and embeddedness.
These functions are entangled.
• Entanglement describes a dynamic
relationship between the formal top-down,
innovations and the informal, complexly
adaptive emergent forces of social
systems.
 Entanglement Model of Innovation & Emergence

Idea Generation Idea Flow Innovation

Leadership
(Enabling … Adaptive … Administrative)

Enabling Aggregation Phase

mal
Conditions Effects For egy Transition
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Stra
Historical Context

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a. Engagement, Modified
ea u Strategy and
Bur
b. Interactions,
Relationships, Structure,
c. Tension & p e ning Revised
Pressure, Dam Processes &
Adaptive Climate Procedures

ns
Retur
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Incr
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 Three Leadership Functions
• Adaptive leadership
• Administrative leadership
• Enabling leadership
 Adaptive Leadership
• Adaptive leadership refers to adaptive, creative, and
learning actions that emerge nonlinearly from the
interactions of individuals and of CAS as they strive to
adjust to tension (e.g., constraints or perturbations)
• The “spaces between” agents (associates).
• It originates in struggles among agents (associates) and
groups over conflicting needs, ideas, or preferences.
• It emerges as, or contributes to, movements, alliances
of people, ideas, or technologies, and cooperative
efforts.
 Enabling Leadership
• Acts to enable conditions in which complex
dynamics can thrive, including interaction,
interdependency, tension
• Moderates relationship between adaptive and
administrative leadership
• Helps assure movement of adaptive change within
the bureaucracy
 Administrative Leadership
• Plans, coordinates, organizes the structure within
which CAS evolve
• Protects the creative, adaptive dynamic
• Creates strategy, one which includes adaptive
organizational flexibility
• Provides resources for ongoing support
 Complexity Leadership Entanglement

Idea Generation Idea Flow Innovation

nab ling
E

dap tive
A
trativ e
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 Entanglement Model of Innovation and Emergence

Idea Generation Idea Flow Innovation

Three major phases of Innovation and Emergence observed

 Entanglement Model of Innovation and Emergence

Idea Generation Idea Flow Innovation

Historical Context
 Entanglement Model of Innovation and Emergence

Idea Generation Idea Flow Innovation

Leadership
(Enabling … Adaptive … Administrative)
Historical Context

ling
Enab
ap ti ve
Ad
is t rative
Admin
 Entanglement Model of Innovation and Emergence

Idea Generation Idea Flow Innovation

Leadership
(Enabling … Adaptive … Administrative)

Enabling
Conditions
Historical Context

a. Engagement,
b. Interactions,
Relationships,
c. Tension &
Pressure,
Adaptive Climate
 Entanglement Model of Innovation and Emergence

Idea Generation Idea Flow Innovation

Leadership
(Enabling … Adaptive … Administrative)

Enabling Aggregation mal

Conditions Effects For egy
t
Stra
Historical Context

y
a. Engagement,
a ucrac
e
b. Interactions, Bur
Relationships,
pe ning
c. Tension & Dam
Pressure,
Adaptive Climate

ns
Retur
ing
eas
Incr
t
m e rgen
l
E
tr ategy
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Info mics
ing a
Dyn
mplify
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 Entanglement Model of Innovation & Emergence

Idea Generation Idea Flow Innovation

Leadership
(Enabling … Adaptive … Administrative)

Enabling Aggregation Phase

mal
Conditions Effects For egy Transition
t
Stra
Historical Context

y
crac
a. Engagement, Modified
ea u Strategy and
Bur
b. Interactions,
Relationships, Structure,
c. Tension & p e ning Revised
Pressure, Dam Processes &
Adaptive Climate Procedures

ns
Retur
ing
eas
Incr
t
m e rgen
l
E
tr ategy
rma S
Info mics
ing a
Dyn
mplify
A