The world isn't broken.
It's wicked.
Leading in a Wicked World explores what leadership requires when problems cannot be reduced to simple answers. A book, conversations and experiences for leaders navigating complexity, competing perspectives and uncertainty.
What is a Wicked World?
Complexity
Wicked problems are interconnected and constantly evolving. Actions in one part of the system can have consequences elsewhere, making linear cause-and-effect thinking insufficient.
Multiple Perspectives
People can look at the same situation and see something entirely different. In wicked problems, those perspectives are not simply obstacles to overcome. They are part of understanding what is happening.
Personal Accountability
There may be no single right answer, but leaders still have to act. That requires examining your own assumptions, understanding your influence on the system and taking responsibility for the choices you make.
The Book
Leading in a Wicked World, written by Sonja Wekema and Matthias Schramm, explores what leadership requires when familiar approaches no longer fit the reality leaders face. Drawing on leadership practice, research and experience, the book examines the wicked world around us, the personal and organisational scripts that shape how we respond, and the value of bringing different perspectives into the conversation.
Wicked World Experiences
The Wicked World Experiences bring the ideas behind the book into conversation. Through unexpected perspectives, dialogue and reflection, we explore what leadership looks like when there is no simple answer.
We don't bring in people to explain the world. We bring together people who know different parts of it. When those perspectives meet, familiar questions can start to look very different.
What We Offer
Leading in a Wicked World and The Other Perspective
Leading in a Wicked World asks what leadership requires when there is no single right answer. The Other Perspective is where we put that thinking into practice.
The Other Perspective is the leadership and organisational practice founded by Sonja Wekema.
We work with leaders, leadership teams and organisations when perspectives differ, conversations get stuck or familiar approaches no longer work.
Our work includes executive coaching, team development, leadership development, organisational development and strategic facilitation.
Leadership grows in conversation, not in isolation.
In action — keynotes, sessions & the wicked world experience
What People Say
"Brilliant new book from two alumni of our Ashridge MSc in Executive Coaching."
— Erik de Haan
Director, Hult Ashridge Centre for Coaching & Professor of Organisation Development and Coaching, VU Amsterdam
"An unconventional and gripping guide into effective leadership for the challenges of today and the years that lie ahead — fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride."
— Gerard Penning
Non-Executive Director Alliander, Board Member Sustainable Energy for All, Former CHRO ABN AMRO
"Leading in a wicked world is challenging, but we do it together. This book aligns with ActionAid's Feminist Leadership Principles, where sharing power and leading by example guide our work."
— Marit Maij
Former Director, ActionAid
"Another inspiring contribution to thinking and doing about leadership and organisations. With a nod to Alice in Wonderland and in a beautifully crafted narrative."
— Lucas van Wees
Board Member, WFPMA
Featured In & Partnered With
