Leadership in Chaordic Organizations

Supplying a clear vision of how to build high-performance teams, Leadership in Chaordic Organizations presents methods for improving operations through the application of complex systems engineering principles and psychological counseling techniques. Ideal for systems engineers, organizational managers, coaches, and psychologists, it addresses the fundamental issue of the human condition in systems development.

The book considers the dynamic variables inherent in the human condition and how they impact group dynamics. Helping you to demystify complex system behaviors, it details an approach to leadership that integrates elements of neurobiology, systems engineering, complexity science, philosophy, and evolutionary and social psychology. It defines complexity and its impact on the organization and also explains how conflict can actually be constructive in group settings. Sharing helpful tips on how to build trust in today’s environment, the book also:

• Describes how the human condition affects group dynamics
• Lays out current problems and outlines workable solutions
• Shares a new vision of high-performance teams
• Illuminates theory with applications

Illustrating what teams and collaborative groups look like in a decentralized environment, the text introduces a highly effective group communications process invented by Richard Knowles—describing its use in designing 3D Immersive Learning Environments that enable complex emergence in dynamic interactive simulations. It also discusses complex human systems (Wicked Problems) and the potential of multi-user virtual environments to provide the transformative vision needed to fully engage all employees in your drive to make your organization more effective, efficient, and sustainable.

Beverly Gay McCarter is an award-winning architect of immersive virtual environments whose company, Human Mosaic Systems (www.HumanMosiacSystems.com), is located in Cary, North Carolina (Research Triangle Park). She received her MS degree in counseling psychology and human systems from Florida State University and her MFA in studio art from the Memphis College of Art. She is also certified in the areas of facilitating self-organizing systems for complex environments (the Center for Self-Organizing Leadership) and the design and architecture of virtual worlds (University of Washington).

While working as an independent contractor at the National Defense University in Washington, DC, she instructed faculty and Pentagon leadership in the navigation and use of virtual worlds, in addition to coordinating and executing the efforts of the Federal Consortium for Virtual Worlds to bring the federal government into virtual worlds. McCarter is an architect/designer of 3D immersive virtual environments focusing on the psychology of the avatar and virtual worlds, the inherent complex dynamics involved, as well as the impact of the aesthetics of 3D immersive environments on complex human systems. She has advised the Pentagon virtual simulation teams, a solution provider for Linden Labs’ Second Life virtual world, and currently works in a variety of other immersive virtual platforms. As a facilitator, McCarter has worked with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, among others, facilitating group discussions untangling the "wicked problems" of social interactions that overwhelm today’s organizational structures.

McCarter is an award-winning artist, focusing on human dynamics and the inherent effects of complexity and the edge-of-chaos on human consciousness. Her work emphasizes the ability to "see" multiple perspectives and the complexity of who we are, and our relationships with others.

Through the integration of these areas of expertise, McCarter designs powerful immersive environments that enable self-organization and collaboration as well as a deeper understanding about one’s own perspectives or views of reality and those of others. She architects environments that understand the underlying complex human dynamics and help facilitate the building of relationships, bonding, and greater understanding, all of which help individuals collaborate as they make decisions in complex, ever-changing environments.

A sample of videos that expand more on McCarter’s work can be found at the following link: http://www.humanmosaicsystems.com/page1.php.

Relevant publications and presentations by McCarter include:

• Lowell F. Christy, Jr., and Beverly G. McCarter. "Why Whole Systems Thinking Is Moving Beyond Engineering Backwaters." George Washington University. Research Program in Social and Organizational Learning. Washington, DC. January 29, 2008
• B. G. McCarter, "Federal Virtual World Challenge: Description, Results and Discussion," Federal Consortium for Virtual Worlds, Washington, DC, May 16, 2012.
• B. G. McCarter, "Immersive Intelligence and 3D Data Visualization," Federal Consortium for Virtual Worlds, Washington, DC, May 16, 2012.
• B. G. McCarter, "Narrative Structures, Wicked Problems, and MUVEs," East Coast Gaming Conference, Raleigh, NC, April 25–26, 2012.
• B. G. McCarter, "Federal Virtual World Challenge: Winner Demonstrations," GameTech Users’ Conference, Orlando, FL, March 28–30, 2012.
• B. G. McCarter. "Designing and Facilitating for Living Human Systems: Wicked Problems and MUVEs." Second Life Community Convention. Oakland, CA. August 14, 2011.
• B. G. McCarter. "Walking across Government Silos: The Power of Virtual Worlds." FISSEA. Washington, DC. March 25, 2010.
• B. G. McCarter. "Center for Naval Intelligence: Virtual World Overview." Center for Naval Intelligence. Virginia Beach, VA. March 23, 2010