Butterfly Flapping, Instability and Learning

dkiel@utdallas.edu
Wed, 25 Jan 1995 11:26:01 -0600

Change Agents -

I was impressed by Con Gregg's recent references to the limitations of the
butterfly effect and notions of attractors from chaos theory as metaphors
for organizational change mechanisms. He clearly has a deep knowledge of
these concepts. I would suggest a slightly different approach to thinking
about small perturbations and potential nonlinear effects. One of the
problems of organizational change and learning concerns the "regime"
systems are functioning in. If al la Deming we concern ourselves with the
relative "stability" or instability of a system we may begin to understand
the extent of the perturbation needed to change regime behavior. It seems
logical to assume that stable systems will require greater shocks to alter
their "attractors" to new shapes and structures. Unstable systems may
not, however, need such a strong shock. Couldn't we all benefit from more
knowledge about system regime behavior and the level of effort to change
systems and create learning? One challenge is that learning really
requires instability - e.g. the value of chaos is that it helps systems
avoid entrainment. The value of butterflies is that they may create the
instability necessary for learning.

I trust the readers won't mind if I direct you to a recent book I
authored. I am an associate professor at the University of Texas at
Dallas. My field is public management. The book is entitled "Managing
Chaos and Complexity in Government: A New Paradigm for Managing Change,
Innovation and Organizational Renewal"(Jossey-Bass: San Francisco, 1994).
The book uses chaos theory and complexity theory as models for
organizational change. I think it can help my friends in the private
sector, too. If you are interested, don't just buy the book, first, check
it out from your local library, or call me to verify if it will help you.

L. Douglas Kiel
University of Texas at Dallas
(214) 690-2019
dkiel@utdallas.edu
" We learn from variation"