A633.5.3.RB - Reflections on Chaos


A633.5.3.RB - Reflections on Chaos

At the start of the exercise in the video, Who Needs Leaders?, Obolensky (2008) gave the participants direct and specific instructions of what they were to do for the exercise.  He was careful to dictate the objective and the rules which they were to follow.  This was a very important step in order to keep the system from descending into too much chaos and enable effective action and to take place (Obolensky, 2014). Once processed by the participants, the instructions dictated by Obolensky created a since of ambiguity and uncertainty within the group as it appeared that the task will be next to impossible to complete (Obolensky, 2014).  

Once the initial step was complete, he set the participants free to begin the exercise, which Obolensky (2014) explains that each person in the group has the ability to judge distance and use their skills to move accordingly.  That is a decision which is made by those who want to do the exercise, which is the individuals’ willingness to participate.

The participants in this exercise worked together and used their discretion, and the freedom to act without relying on outside guidance to act and decide which way to move and stand in order to complete the activity. The individuals completely understood the ultimate goal which was to be accomplished and utilize their skills and abilities to complete the task as a self-lead group in much less time than expected given the complexity and chaotic start of the beginning of the task.  

Who would have ever known that a group of individuals with the willingness to keep chaos to a minimum are capable of functioning properly with clear objectives and a few simple rules and the discretion to act freely?  This is exactly what Obolensky demonstrated in the exercise in the video which showed individuals working together in order to complete the task assigned to them which on first thought was viewed with a high level of complexity and the potential to be a bit chaotic.  However, the end result was not what the group expected; this is more than likely because the group was given clear boundaries which allowed a certain level of chaos to take place however the group was able to eventual work out the complex situation without intervention.

The exercise reflects exactly what happens within our department when special projects are assigned to the team.  However, depending on the complexity of the assignment the members of our team tend to make more out the assigned tasks than what was required in the assignment, even after being given direct and specific instructions.  Therefore, often requiring reinforcement which I feel may be rooted in the lack of the individual’s willingness to complete the assigned task.   

The individuals and leaders within our department will have to make a number of changes in order for our department to reach the level of leadership Obolensky demonstrates in the video.  Furthermore, our staff members must be willing to learn the skills needed and be self -motivate to complete the designed tasks as well.  This will take the full participation of each team member, practice through trial and error and most importantly time.

In order for me to improve my leadership skills and be more effective as a leader, I must internalize the concepts of the eight principles Obolensky has provided.  In my personal life it is not difficult for me to apply these concepts as I have some level of control of most situations.  However, in the work environment leading a group of individuals through chaos comes with a level of uncomfortableness which I will have to get acquainted with and overcome in order to be a more adaptable and effective leader.  This will require that I begin to approach chaos and complexity in a manner whereby I understand that it does not always mean a disaster, one can figure out how to balance chaos with order (Obolensky, 2014).  Internalizing the eight principles will take me some time and I look forward improving upon the relationships within my key networks.



References           


Obolensky, N. (2008, April 12). Who needs leaders?  Retrieved from

Obolensky, N. (2014). Complex adaptive leadership: embracing paradox and uncertainty, 2d Edition. Burlington, VT: Gower Publishing Limited.

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