Leadodynamics: the science of leadership in motion

Civil Unity by Shola Richards is a remarkable guide to building a better world. I read a concept today called Intentional Consistent Interventions (ICIs)—an approach to driving positive change. Great leaders act with intention and consistency, improving productivity, culture, and innovation. When problems arise, they intervene with cool heads (logic), warm hearts (empathy), and working hands ('in the arena' solving problems). Leaders do, not observe.

As a kid, I was “Nerdy Nuri”—teased and bullied for being different, playing instruments, and lacking athleticism. Then I grew six inches, became a scholar-athlete, and was recruited by Division 1 schools. But I never lost my love for learning, and to this day, I proudly embrace my inner nerd. So, let’s geek out together!

The laws of thermodynamics describe how energy moves, transforms, and endures in a system. These principles govern everything from engines to ecosystems, and as we’ll explore, they apply to leadership as well.

First Law: Leadership is neither created nor destroyed—only chosen.

Leadership isn’t installed in an organization; it’s a conscious decision, made continuously and courageously. It doesn’t appear from thin air, nor does it vanish unless abandoned. Leadership transfers, amplifies, and adapts but never generates itself spontaneously.

Sometimes, the best leadership choice is to follow and empower—especially when someone else is operating at peak performance. If leadership seems absent, it hasn’t disappeared—it’s just not being exercised. Someone must step up.

Second Law: Without leadership, organizations naturally drift toward chaos.

As I've shared in past blogs, Peter Drucker reminds us: “Only three things happen naturally in organizations: friction, confusion, and underperformance. Everything else requires leadership.”

In thermodynamics, entropy is the natural drift toward disorder. The same applies to teams: without leadership, things fall apart. Miscommunication, inefficiency, and stagnation creep in unless countered by action, vision, and discipline. That’s why ICIs—walking the floor, visiting the lab, touring sites, practicing self-awareness, and engaging in 1:1s—are essential. Leadership isn’t optional—it’s the active force keeping an organization from unraveling.

Even elite teams need leadership. This is why professional sports teams have coaches—despite having the most talented players in the world, they still require direction, strategy, and accountability to sustain peak performance. Without leadership, even the best teams lose focus, momentum, and ultimately, their competitive edge.

Third Law: Without leadership, an organization approaches absolute zero.

In thermodynamics, absolute zero is the point where all molecular motion ceases—complete stillness, the end of movement. Without leadership, an organization suffers the same fate: direction fades, innovation stalls, and adaptation ceases. When leadership evaporates, organizations stagnate instead of evolving. Leadership isn’t just about progress—it’s survival. The best leaders choose courage over comfort.

So, reflect and take action. Make your leadership Intentional, Consistent, and full of Interventions to ensure you, your team, and your environment live long and prosper!

© Nuri Dimler 2025