Thinking Complexity in Management

This chapter explores how Alex, the manager of a place-based, community service agency, located in the outer-north of Melbourne, drew on her knowledge of and insights from complexity theory in her role as manager. Through the use of three worked examples, Alex describes her thinking and decision-making in her work with staff, in program planning and in responding to the unexpected challenges brought by the arrival of COVID-19. These examples illustrate the value of a CT-informed view of the world in situations characterised by ethical dilemmas, multiple stakeholders and ‘edge of chaos’ scenarios.