A complex group can be understood as a web of interactions between group members, outside contextual dynamics, and the parameters of the group as its own system. For leadership research, this provides three vantage points of study: member/member interactions, group-as-system/context interactions, and member/context interactions. Complexity suggests that any individual part of a system (a person, for example) cannot fully be understood apart from their relationship to the whole. Further, because many different pieces of the system (although not necessarily all) are in constant interaction, there are many different dynamics that are influencing a single part at any given time.
This view of a group as a complex, adaptive system suggests that much of what a group actually does or will do ‘emerges’ through the complex interactions, thus cannot be fully predicted or strategized. Complexity theory challenges the assumptions of a positivist reductionism approach which assumes a linear causality between one or more independent variables and a dependent variable that can be clearly delineated. Complexity asserts that elements within and outside of a system are interdependent and non-linear rather than linear and causal. It is the operation of the entire system that is of greater significance. Prediction is focused on finding patterns of interaction rather than the specific value of specific variables.
Complexity ought to push us towards holistic thinking about people, their lives, and the networks in which they live. As far as leadership goes, a person and their web of relationships is the meta-category in which the job/organization is only a part, not the other way around as popular leadership practices seems to have conceived of for so long.
From a theological standpoint, complexity and adaptive theory finds its basis in the doctrine of the Trinity. A Trinitarian view of reality (which I have) recognizes the interrelationship of persons as one of the essential dynamics of life. Christian theology affirms God as three in one: God the Father loving God the Son through God the Spirit. Since humanity is created in the image of this interpersonal, self-sharing God, it is no surprise to discover that such interraction is at the heart of any and all human activity.
