ABSTRACT
The chapter explores the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic in a federal government department as a demonstration of the complexity and uncertainty of the world around us.
The concepts of complexity and complex adaptive systems are introduced and why they are relevant to managers. Complexity is explained as a state in which there are nonlinear relationships and no equilibrium or steady state. What goes on is predictable and unpredictable at the same time; no one is in charge, and the whole is not the sum of its parts.
Two traditional management theories, magico-mythical thinking and scientific management are explained and their limitations in a complex uncertain world discussed.
A radical rethink of how we approach our work together is required. The author argues that leaders need to explore the Complexity Sciences Theory of Management, which is based upon insights from complexity science and the sciences which study uncertainty—the social sciences-to become more effective in a challenging world.
