Complex Adaptive Leadership
'Drawing upon a wide range of wisdom and ideas, from Lao Tzu to Lorenz and modern chaos theory, Obolensky brilliantly argues the case for organisations and their leaders to adapt to the complex, uncertain world of today and tomorrow. He also proffers excellent practical advice on how to do so.' --Philip Sadler CBE, Vice-president, Ashridge Business School, Senior Fellow, Tomorrow s Company'A true tour de force, in a class of its own from being well-grounded both in the science and in practical experiences.' --Margaret J. Wheatley, author of Leadership and the New Science and other books'Chaos and order: the perpetual tension that drives and binds any organisation. What should leadership do conserve order or inspire creativity and change? In this wonderfully clear, thorough and provocative book Obolensky describes leadership as a fusion of anarchy and oligarchy, and shows how things really get done through polyarchy. This book is a must-read for anyone seriously interested in understanding what is happening to authority, initiative and influence in contemporary organizations; leaders who value conceptual clarity about their predicament will find it invaluable.' --Professor Jonathan Gosling, Centre for Leadership Studies, Exeter University, UKObolensky's (2010) work is a marvelous resource that...also includes detailed and extensive footnotes, meticulous graphs, and practical questionnaires...which can be used by leaders to diagnose their organizations. Obolensky's research on chaos and complexity combined with leadership practice is thorough, detailed, and more than a little persuasive...his arguments are supported by sound research and a strong familiarity with organization dynamics...he manages to bring his research into practical organizational application. --Leadership and Organization Development Journal Vol 32, Issue 3'Chaos and order: the perpetual tension that drives and binds any organisation. What should leadership do conserve order or inspire creativity and change? In this wonderfully clear, thorough and provocative book Obolensky describes leadership as a fusion of anarchy and oligarchy, and shows how things really get done through polyarchy. This book is a must-read for anyone seriously interested in understanding what is happening to authority, initiative and influence in contemporary organizations; leaders who value conceptual clarity about their predicament will find it invaluable.' --Professor Jonathan Gosling, Centre for Leadership Studies, Exeter University, UK