complex adaptive systems

"If you're looking for a role model in a world of complexity, you could do worse than to imitate a bee."

This is the end quote from an engaging National Geographic article on Swarm Theory. As the quote suggests, there's much to learn from the swarming habits of insects in terms of finding novel, effective and efficient solutions to complex problems. The technical term for this process is "self-organisation" and the encouragement is for managers to, in the face of complex problems, implement a self-organising management approach.

In our experience of speaking to leaders and managers about the complex problems they face, and in promoting the concepts of Thrive! Effective Adaption, the last thing managers want to hear about is implementing a laissez-faire management style. Their argument is this: how can I trust my people and organisation to self-organise in the most effective way? They then aslo add in this sentence, barely pausing for a breath, "It's like managing by not-managing!".

In many ways I would agree.

While promoting self-organisation in itself is not helpful nor digestible for managers in today's global economic context, there are components of self-organisation that WILL provide a way to thrive in tomorrow's world (which is probably already here!). There is a caveat we would add though ...

When a mechanic walks up to an aircraft with a toolbox, nothing on the aircraft changes. However, when there's an announcement of impending retrenchments, everything changes in the organisation.

This is an example of the nature of complex adaptive systems that Dave will often quote when speaking of complexity.

I've been struck over the last 60 hours since the ANC decided to recall President Thabo Mbeki, how a mechanic has walked up to the airplane known as South Africa, and very little has changed. I would have anticipated joyous rioting from the anti-Mbeki quarters at the very least. The history of Africa since independence is littered with bloodshed, coupes and strife in such similar situations.  For the most part, the response has ranged from mild surprise to total apathy.We've just managed to fire our president people.

This lack of visible "chaotic" response could be as a result of South African's having seen Mbeki's demise coming for a long time already, or maybe some other reason?