Complexity: an alternative paradigm for teamwork development

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to suggest an understanding of teamwork from a complexity perspective.Design/methodology/approachComplexity principles of nonlinearity, emergence, holism, and engagement are applied to conventional teamwork practice.FindingsThe complexity principles offer ways of thinking about teamwork that inspire a more genuine collaboration, especially for decision‐making teams who must be able to alter conventionally linear, cybernetic thinking patterns.Originality/valueThinking in complexity terms is an unfamiliar but necessary practice for decision‐making teams, enabling team members to think and act in collaborative ways, see the big picture, resist managing deviations that seems like errors, and develop interpersonal relationships that do so.