The work of Ralph Stacey and colleagues, on the challenges of leading organisations in an increasingly complex world, provides a number of practical insights which can help us as business leaders trying to navigate through increasingly difficult times.
Stacey views organisations as complex, self organising, adaptive systems that are never static, always in the process of evolution and change. He sees leadership largely as a process of human relating and he stresses both the importance of understanding power relationships and the act of evaluating options to make choices.
The range and breadth of the ideas set out in numerous books and articles by Stacey and his co-workers are too detailed to summarise here. There are, however, some clear implications for the role of leader that are well worth summarising. These are:
A leader is only a leader to the extent that they are recognised as such. In other words, it is a social process. The leader is formed and shaped by the group as much, if not more, than he / she forms and shapes it.
Leaders are sense makers. They are expected to identify and articulate emerging themes. However, whilst they need to be able to identify patterns and trends, they do not necessarily have to have all the answers.
Effective leaders tend to become idealised and to be seen to stand for a set of values and an ethical code. This is what gives a leader influence. It is also what, without the necessary modesty and a realistic, grounded self image, frequently causes leaders to derail.
Spontaneity is a key leadership characteristic. This is very different from impulsiveness. It combines the attributes of reflection and present moment awareness with the ability to act imaginatively.
Awareness of power relationships, how to use and avoid abusing the use of power in managing the inclusion and exclusion of individuals and groups, is something that all good leaders share. Leadership is an act of dominance, but to be effective this must be achieved with sensitivity.
Finally, according to Stacey: “One recognised as leader has a greater capacity to live with the anxiety of not knowing and not being in control”.
