Leadership on the Edge of Chaos

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENTThis book examines theories and concepts of organizational leadership and management as seen through the lens of the New Sciences-relativity, quantum theory, chaos, complexity, and fuzzy set theory. The focus of the book is on how to lead change in rapidly-evolving, organizational environments characteristic of the corporate world today. Readers will develop a functional working knowledge of effective leadership in an organizational climate where stability is rare and change, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity are frequently the only constants. The central thrust of the book builds on new ways of thinking about the nature of the leadership and management reality using an organic, open-systems model as the basis for understanding organizations. It examines the nature and impact of the organizational environment on the capacity of leaders to bring about change and considers the balance needed between transactional and transformational leadership during turbulent times. It reviews several models for leading and managing change and explores how to leverage collaborative organizational structures through team building and teamwork.