Stephen J. Guastello, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

Abstract: The dynamics associated with emergent leadership in creative problems solving groups were examined. Contrary to common measurement practice, the frequency distribution of leadership behavior in group was hypothesized to conform to a multimodal exponential probability density function, which was thought to characterize self-organizational processes of the rugged landscape variety. Participants were 140 adults, who were organized into groups of 7-9 players for a group problem solving exercise that began without an appointed leader. Ratings of leadership behavior by each player for each fellow player revealed that clear leaders did emerge, reflecting a form of self-organization within the group. Analysis showed that the obtained frequency distribution was a complex function generated by a swallowtail catastrophe dynamic.

Keywords: self-organization, swallowtail catastrophe, leadership, creativity