The New Science Realities on Leadership - 825 Words

The New Science Realities on Leadership (Essay Sample) Content: The New Science Realities on LeadershipThe various emerging scientific researches illuminate the invisible forces that influence the effectiveness of leadership in the unstable environment. The unlimited written narratives and scientific studies have not provided the ultimate answer to the mystery and complexity of leadership concepts. Contemporary discoveries and thoughts in theories such as complexity, quantum physics, psychology, and neurology attempt to provide insights into the nature of leadership and the elusiveness of the process. Therefore, this paper attempts to dissect the emerging philosophies and discoveries in psychology and science. The influence of the invisible forces on effective leadership is also illuminated. Ultimately, the contemporary concept of leadership psychology is used to demonstrate the importance of the opinions and values of the followers in ensuring that the leadership is effective.Newtonian models of leadershipThe emerging discoveries in chaos theory, system theory, and quantum mechanics are vital in exploring leadership. The 21-century social system is not only dynamic but also complex. It is a phenomenon that has rendered the traditional model ineffective. Wheatley (2006) argues that Newtonian physics of the clockwise universe is the appropriate predictability model in a world that is static. It is reflected in the modern organizational hierarchical structures, as wells, contemporary leadership models. The models are in the perspective of the mechanical Newtonian.The Newtonian perspective provides the substantive reality that is measurable and controlled through planning. Planning helps in the future prediction. It allows faceting individuals and processes into components besides hierarchically organizing them. Furthermore, it provides the leverage of providing appropriate rewards and punishments with the aim of ensuring that the plans are implemented. Yukl (2010) disagrees by asserting that the models for or ganizations developed in a stable environment may not be effective in the dynamic culture and global society. Organizations can barely survive in the unstable environment especially those that have imposed mechanical and static processes. For survival in such cases, the complexity theory advocates for organizations to change and adapt to the changes in the environment. Gleick (2008) extrapolates that the existence of reality, as well as, the changes depends on the system's context. Wheatley (2000) maintains that organization and members should evolve through the interaction with their surroundings.Leadership as a platform for connectionWhile the Newtonian model isolates the facets of systems for better comprehension, new science uses holistic approach by dissecting the relationships within the systems network. The comprehension of the connection platform illuminates the emerging behavioural views as a result of the interaction of the elements in the dynamic processes. In quantum p erspective, elements exist interdependently. Rettig (2002) concludes that to understand leadership; behaviours, situations, traits, and elements should not be isolated. The invisible connections of the entities are vital (ingredient) concoctions for creation in the new science.Chaos theory of leadershipChaos and complexity theories use the interaction of systems in explaining leadership approach. Chaos perspective delves on the interaction of systems while the complex perspective integrates interaction and adaptation of the systems of interaction. In fact, chaos theory illuminates the unpredictability of the non-random behaviour. The concept of chaos and interconnectedness were new perspectives to the scientists who perceive reality based on Newtonian clockwork. It differs from the traditional concepts that delved on predictability and neglected the irregularities such as measurement errors. Wheatley (2006) explains that chaos theory shows the deterministic appearance of chance in the world. However, the predictability is enhanced by perfect knowledge of the laws of nature, as well as, the universe. Chaos theory allows leaders to comprehend that the current organizational state offer limited information about the future state. The complex systems are rarely predictable since there is no constant relationship between cause and its effects. The limitation of the application of the theory of leadership is that it does not factor in intelligent behaviour and adaptation. Moreover, the relevance of the theory to human social interactions also has limitation.Complexity theory of leadershipThe theory attempts to solve the inadequacy of the chaos theory. Yukl (2010) describes it as a science that involves a large network of interactions and cause, as well as, effectiveness that are not linear. It incorporates the rational changes of the environmental system. The mechanical leadership, in the perspective of this theory, leverages visionary and strong leadership. Howev er, this aspec...