Leading Strategicially

1/23/2021 Complexity Theory of Leadership

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Complexity Theory of Leadership

Traditional leadership models that are effective for organizations based on physical

production are often not well suited for a more knowledge-oriented economy. Complexity

leadership theory focuses on enabling learning, creativity, and adaptive capacity in

complex adaptive systems (CASs) within the context of knowledge-producing

organizations. It expands the locus of leadership from the isolated, role-based actions of

individuals to the innovative, contextual interactions that occur across an entire social

system (Lichtenstein et al., 2006).

This conceptual framework includes three entangled leadership roles that reflect a

dynamic relationship between the bureaucratic, administrative functions of the

organization and the informal dynamics of CASs (Uhl-Bien, Marion, & McKelvey, 2007):

Administrative leadership involves actions and decisions by formal leaders who are

responsible for planning and coordinating activities for the organization.

Adaptive leadership occurs when people with different knowledge, beliefs, and

preferences interact in an attempt to solve problems and resolve conflicts.

Enabling leadership facilitates the process by increasing the interdependence among

people, supporting the value of dissent and debate, increasing access to necessary

information and resources, and helping to get innovative ideas implemented in the

organization.

Complexity theory involves emergent processes and adaptive outcomes that are often

unpredictable in advance.

References

Lichtenstein, B. B, Uhl-Bien, M., Marion, R., Seers, A., Orton, J. D., & Schreiber, C. (2006).

Complexity leadership theory: An interactive perspective on leading in complex

adaptive systems. Emergence: Complexity and Organization, 8, 2–12. Retrieved from

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/managementfacpub/8

Learning Topic

1/23/2021 Complexity Theory of Leadership

https://leocontent.umgc.edu/content/umuc/tgs/mba/mba670/2211/learning-topic-list/complexity-theoryofleadership.html?ou=541222 2/2

Uhl-Bien, M., Marion, R., & McKelvey, B. (2007). Complexity leadership theory: Shifting

leadership from the industrial age to the knowledge era. Leadership Quarterly, 18(4), 298–

318.

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