As we grow as
leaders we seem to be more open and adaptable to changes in our environment.
Being able to make those small changes will likely have an impact on the
outcome of your decisions. As organizations become more complex and decisions
have bigger consequences, it’s essential for leaders to be able to implement
controls in order minimize risks and increase the likelihood of success. The complexity
theory shows us that complex systems can exhibit simple ‘emergent’ behavior
(Obolensky, 2014). Additionally, the
Chaos theory shows the opposite in which simple systems can exhibit complex
behavior (Obolensky, 2014). In 1961, Edward Lorenz observed a relationship where
small events lead to more significant changes in the larger system (Lassiter,
2013). Lorenz originally stated “one flap of a seagull’s wings could change the
course of the weather forever” (Lassiter, 2013). He later changed the metaphor
from a seagull to a butterfly. To elaborate, the butterfly effect can make a small
difference at the beginning, but can have a larger effect in the end when
dealing with complex systems. This is because most things in life are part of
larger systems; some seemingly trivial events can have significant impact. The
butterfly effect can lead to both positive and negative changes in a company or
organization and when applied to business, it means that simple actions yield
larger rewards. To illustrate, imagine the consequences of 1 degree temperature
change has on nature. Due to the temperature change you have longer growing
season in Minnesota and Canadian Geese don’t always migrate south (Lassiter,
2013). An example of the butterfly
effect on a large scale is the Pine Tree Riot of 1772 in New Hampshire (The
Pine Tree Riot, 2006). It
was illegal to cut down any white pine trees larger than 12 inches in
diameter. These trees were reserved for the Royal Navy and were to be
used for masts for His Majesty’s fleet (The Pine Tree Riot, 2006). Irritated by the unfair treatment, colonist
held a riot and chased the British out of town. Ultimately they were caught and
fined, but the act influences other riots like the Stamp Act riots and the
Boston Tea Party and ultimately leads to the American Revolutionary War and the
declaration of independence from the British. As you can see from these small
events there are major connected results.
Two examples where “small changes yield large results” in
my organization are the implementation of departmental instructions and
utilization of the Eisenhower Matrix to accomplish departmental goals. My department
implemented new instructions on the utilization of our robotics program. This
instruction provided guidance on how to establish unit base programs and it proved
to be effective. Additionally, since the downsizing of our department we had to
come up with ways to properly get task accomplish in a reasonable time. Since
the introduction of the Eisenhower Matrix, we are able to categorize our task
from the most urgent to the least urgent. This change increased our productivity and made our
department more efficient.
These theories are still in their infancy stage and there
is still implication of uncertainty that still needs further research. In my organization,
we have a high level of transparency and open discussions. This method helps
build teamwork, improve communications and helps bring uncertainty down. I’m
continuing to grow as a leader and I know the importance of a single change can
have in an organization.
Reference:
Lassiter,
B. (2013, November 25). The Butterfly Effect: Managing Your Organization as a
System - Performance Excellence Network. Retrieved January 23, 2016, from
http://performanceexcellencenetwork.org/the-presidents-blog/butterfly-effect-managing-organization-system/
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