Complexor
Encyclopedia
In chaos theory
a complexor is mathematically equivalent to a chaotic attractor. The word was coined by Marcial Losada
(Losada & Heaphy, 2004), derived from the words "complex order".
A complexor is generated by a set of deterministic nonlinear equations that has at least one positive Lyapunov exponent
. A complexor is not a disordered structure. On the contrary, its configuration reveals a complex order that is manifested by its fractal nature. The dynamics of a complexor in phase space reveal trajectories that never repeat themselves. Losada found that these trajectories reflect the creativity and innovation that characterize high performance teams (Losada & Heaphy, 2004). Low performance teams have trajectories in phase space that approach the limiting dynamics of point attractors.
In laymans terms, a complexor is an unusual equation in which the graph forms an ever changing but highly ordered structure, which repeats in a slightly different form over the range of the equation. It was discovered during analysis of highly creative groups, which, much like the equation itself, have a particular style of operation but continually renew and reinvent themselves (Losada, 1999).
Chaos theory
Chaos theory is a field of study in mathematics, with applications in several disciplines including physics, economics, biology, and philosophy. Chaos theory studies the behavior of dynamical systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions, an effect which is popularly referred to as the...
a complexor is mathematically equivalent to a chaotic attractor. The word was coined by Marcial Losada
Marcial Losada
Marcial Losada is the founder and executive director of Meta Learning, a consulting organization that develops high performance teams. As director of the Center for Advanced Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he developed a novel approach to study working teams...
(Losada & Heaphy, 2004), derived from the words "complex order".
A complexor is generated by a set of deterministic nonlinear equations that has at least one positive Lyapunov exponent
Lyapunov exponent
In mathematics the Lyapunov exponent or Lyapunov characteristic exponent of a dynamical system is a quantity that characterizes the rate of separation of infinitesimally close trajectories...
. A complexor is not a disordered structure. On the contrary, its configuration reveals a complex order that is manifested by its fractal nature. The dynamics of a complexor in phase space reveal trajectories that never repeat themselves. Losada found that these trajectories reflect the creativity and innovation that characterize high performance teams (Losada & Heaphy, 2004). Low performance teams have trajectories in phase space that approach the limiting dynamics of point attractors.
In laymans terms, a complexor is an unusual equation in which the graph forms an ever changing but highly ordered structure, which repeats in a slightly different form over the range of the equation. It was discovered during analysis of highly creative groups, which, much like the equation itself, have a particular style of operation but continually renew and reinvent themselves (Losada, 1999).