The following article describes the recent situation in Japan. During this time of crisis, it may be hard to pick out particular leaders or even to say if there is any leadership taking place. This isn't anything new to Japan. In fact, the article pointed out that Japan has went through four Prime Ministers in the past four years. This is an astounding number of leaders that have failed in leading the country. It is crucial that in this time of great need, a leader emerges and aids the nation during their time of grief.
This situation reminds me a lot about what we learned about emergent leadership when studying the 9/11 situation. People came together out of the woodwork to help the situation. Although I think it would benefit Japan to have a public leader, I think citizens emerging as leaders is just as important. In fact, the everyday people of Japan and other volunteers are likely to make the biggest difference.
This concept is directly related back to what we recently learned about the complexity theory. This theory involves the concept of open systems. Open systems made up of a large number of active elements that are diverse in both form and capability. Japan serves as the open system in this case, and was disrupted when the adaptive tension reached beyond the critical values it could sustain. This resulted in chaos and uncertainty. This far from equilibrium state led into emergent self organization. People have taken on roles that they normally wouldn't, and are working together for the common good. Being thrown into a situation, much like the catastrophe in Japan, results in emergent leaders being formed.
Although this article is criticizing the fact that there are no leaders stepping up and taking charge in this situation, I believe that once time passes people will realize that there were thousands of leaders. What do you think? Do you think that leaders will emerge and be recognized as time goes by, or do you think there is a complete lack of leadership- both by public officials and citizens?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42114871/ns/world_news-asia-pacific/
- Kelly Moran
I believe leaders will emerge as time passes. Because this is a state of far-from-equilibrium for Japan, this gives them the opportunity for innovation and change, according to the complexity theory. A leader can become an enabler of this emergent open system. The patterns of Japan have been disrupted, so it is a time for a leader to step forward to encourage novelty for citizens to come together and form a better society.
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect example of complexity leadership because there is a great need for a leader during hard times.
-Lauren Mowers
Good point Lauren, you would think that leaders will emerge as time passes. However, why have there not been any leaders emerging yet? Wouldnt you say it is unethical that the public officials have not done enough for their citizens at this time? I think the reason people haven't stepped up is because it is such a good example of complexity leadership and with that comes increased challenges. Somebody needs to step up and take control of this situation or risk future problems.
ReplyDeleteWould you agree with me that the public officials are being unethical by not taking a larger role in this crisis?