Leadership and the New Science: Learning About Organization from an Orderly Universe
Author: Margaret J. Wheatley
List Price: $15.95
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ISBN: 1881052443
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Pub (March, 1994)
Sales Rank: 12,206
Average Customer Rating: 3.8 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 4 out of 5
This book will challenge your Newtonian view of reality.
Provocative and insightful, however the author perhaps puts too much confidence in evolution all the while pestering our Newtonian linear and clockwork view of the universe. Her grasp and application of quantum physics related to organizational systemic management is worth pondering. One would wish she had made more connections to leadership and organizational culture and behavior. But then, I will re-read this more than once to get the "picture" she is trying to paint. I am attempting to apply her work to pastoral and church ministry and have God in the equation. I think she has discovered God's quantum designs centered in relationships and order in the universe made by Himself, the clockmaker.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Organizational Analysis: Bringing Chaos to Order
Ms. Wheatley succeeds admirably at her chief aim: forcing the reader to re-think assumptions concerning organizational behavior which are almost never challenged. While attempting to lead several sacred cows to a philosophical slaughter (controlling a situation leads to stability, equilibrium is a desirable organizational state, disorder leads to ineffectiveness, etc.), she explores the possible corallaries of quantum physics and organizational structure.The author's "arguments" are really philosophical statements. Her proof consists of asking "What if" and "Could it be that . . . " As long as the reader accepts this method of developing a proposition, the book succeeds admirably as a departure point for further discussion. However, do not expect tightly written arguments which show concrete examples of her theories in practice at the organizatiopnal level.If one hopes to find proof for the hypotheses advanced here, disappointment will likely be the result. It is possible that such proof will never be forthcoming and may even be antithetical to her position that systems change so quickly that they defy discrete analysis.
However, those who read this book in hope of opening their mind to new possibilities will not be disappointed. Her thoughts on systems analysis, information flow and team work are enlightening and provocative. The descriptions of quantum physics and chaos theory are informative and mind-stretching, if scant on details. I will be re-reading this book several times; that by itself says a great deal.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Wheatley provokes the mind to rethink organizations
Margaret Wheatley explores the reasons for the apparent failure of numerous contemporary managers to understand the nature of organizations. By drawing interesting parallels with new science, she challenges the traditional assumptions of organizations and leaves the reader with alternatives.
She urges redesigning organizations where relationships are valued, processes are allowed to flourish at varying speeds, with appropriate structures being formed to support these processes that ultimately help achieve organizational goals. Information flow is fundamental in this process.
She explains that a viable, open system in a state of non-equilibrium, constantly changing and morphing is preferable over a stable, balanced system in equilibrium or stasis. It implores organizations to change form constantly to meet the changing needs of the environment, arguing that organizations develop greater freedom from the environment through this very change process.
Wheatley has made a great attempt to validate and provide legitimacy to new management principles by providing connections to important scientific discoveries of the last century. A "must read" book for new age leaders. Similar Products
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