Self-Organizational Model of Leadership

Self-Organizational Model of Leadership in Practice -- 'It's a Good Thing'

Selfishness within organizations is much derided, given the common emphasis on community in business life. 'Teamwork' is buzzword of management gurus and corporate retreat organizers alike, and who would say he or she is not a team player, even if he or she is desiring promotion to a leadership position? However, self-organization theory "suggests that the evolution of the universe adheres to self-organizational principles," in other words, because even basic biological molecules may attempt to create both more of themselves (as leaders) and through doing so create more complex molecules (such as corporate empires), therefore individuals who attempt to create 'more' or to make more of themselves as human beings could theoretically empower other individuals.

Perhaps the quintessential example of self-organization as a mode of leadership can be found in both positive and negative forms, in two women whom have made their respective struggles for success as self-made businesswomen the brand names of their respective companies. By succeeding and branding themselves as success stories of self-empowerment, they have used the self-organizational model of leadership to make their names emblems of success that can be sold to others. Martha Stewart attempted to sell herself as a brand name of gracious living and a WASP aesthetic, a 'good thing' she cultivated, as the child of a Polish immigrant, out of sheer force of will. By being like Martha, who made more of herself, one can look to her both as a leader and a model for one's own success.