A633.2.3.RB - Butterfly Effect

The butterfly effect is a concept first explained in the 1960s by a mathematician and meteorologist named Edward Lorenz. (Obolensky, 2014) The butterfly effect is sometimes illustrated with the idea that a butterfly flapping its wings can cause a hurricane halfway around the world, with the idea being that small initial actions are magnified as they propagate across time and space. As adapted by the business world, the sensitivity of a system to initial conditions refers to the golden rule standard, which demands everyone associated with the business treat everyone they come into contact with as they themselves would like to be treated. The eventual consequences of any tiny action can be enormous. Should the butterfly not flap its wings, large-scale systemic events may be vastly different.

The flap that is causing a hurricane effect within my organization is the Commit to Zero. Commit to Zero has been a keyword or buzz word in the business world for some time. My company has tried and had lack luster success. That was until we took all the personal receptacles from all desk and offices. The receptacles were replaced by 3 larger receptacles strategically side by side throughout the entire facility. They are mark one for recyclables (soda cans, paper products, plastics, and etc..), one for compost materials (old food), and one for trash that doesn’t fit the criteria of the first two. The effect that has had on the company is a more conscience workforce on recycling for both home and office.

The second is something that really a pet peeve of mine is texting while walking or driving. We have employees that have company issued and personal phones that employees text and walk and have accidents on company property. And by the injury occurring on company property and company hours the company is held liable. So a policy was put in place that there is absolutely no text or talking with a phone up to your ear and walking. The effect from this has been less reported accidents.

The conclusion is in its simplest form, the butterfly effect, when applied to business, means that simple actions may yield large rewards.

Works Cited

Obolensky, N. (2014). Complex Adaptive Leadership. Burlington: Gower Publishing Company.