REVIEW "Embrace the Chaos"

CONCEPT! CONCEPT!

On Tuesday November 2, 2021 the book presentation of 'Embrace the Chaos' by Jan Rotmans took place at BREiNN (Breman Innovation) in Zwolle. The undersigned had the privilege – after Rotmans' request to review – to be able to browse through the PDF of the book. On November 2nd I received the book from the author himself.?

When I was handed the book, I said to Rotmans "maybe a moment to wonder if this book is your last book. The best way to remain a winner is to win once and never play again". And yes, this book is a masterpiece, his magnum opus.?

It is an extensive book of 304 pages. Partly thanks to the role and input of Mischa Verheijden, it has become a pleasantly readable and accessible whole. The tone? of the book is positive. The book gives a good and up-to-date overview of the challenges we are faced with. It reads easily and is provided with beautiful illustrations in the section 'The Netherlands in 2121'. In this part, a vision for the future of the Netherlands for the next hundred years has been worked out, together with design and architectural company KuiperCompagnons. It shows a (complex) puzzle of the coherent transitions that are coming our way. With the intention of starting a discussion and inspire people. In addition to the doomsday image of rising sea levels, 'The Netherlands in 2121' offers a hopeful and beckoning perspective, in which adaptation of the rising water level is made possible through fundamental transitions in social domains and sectors. The vision of Nederland 2121 with the architects has become special, in terms of content and visualization. I read it with extra interest because I live in Lelystad at the bottom of the sea.?

Rotmans devotes almost eighty pages to necessary transitions. In doing so, he provides important insights. A transition is not just a change, a linear (further) development. Transition is a 'revolutionary evolution', a fundamental transformation. Transition takes place via the path of 'order - chaos - new order'. Here, 'chaos' is a form of order (mis-order) in which things are broken down and things are built up.? The palette of transitions is: 'challenges and solutions'. For the dozen transitions discussed in the book, the basic tone is the same when it comes to challenges and solutions. As far as I can see, this is the most comprehensive overview I have seen. It is about the transition of sectors such as energy, raw materials, circularity, agriculture and food; and about domains such as the spatial and financial domain. And also about education and about the healthcare transition and the social transition.??

Rotmans describes these transitions extensively and comes up with useful recommendations. And there is a hopeful message. Transitions do not occur when a majority of more than fifty percent have reversed views, attitudes and behaviors. Twenty-five percent is enough to set things in motion. Hereby he focuses on (the role of) people in the part 'personal transition'. In it, Rotmans shows himself in depth in his own personal development and extends his life lessons to everyone, to the reader. Quote: '... The turmoil in the world reflects the turmoil within ourselves. We feel chaos and unease, and feel like we have lost control of our lives. And rightly so. We also feel that politics has lost that grip, and it has. In times of chaos, everyone has lost their grip and no one is in control. That creates uncertainty and we humans don't like that. We like stability and security.' Rotmans writes that there are not so many generations that are allowed to experience fundamental transitions: 'And if you are in the middle of it, you have to embrace the chaos and accept that it is restless for a long time, and try to find peace in the turmoil'. And he challenges us: 'you can make a substantial contribution to a new society and a new economy. How beautiful is that! In this era of change, every individual counts and every initiative counts. You can make a difference right now.'??

? ? THE BOOK AS A MIRROR??

We often talk about unknown makes unloved, prophets who are not honored in their own country and we regularly talk about the calling men in the dessert. The tone of the prophet or the calling man is of great importance. I tended to be strongly opposed to fossil fuel companies and old skool leaders. Rotmans teaches me that by doing so I am not laying a good foundation for conversation, or for an open mind and an invitation to talk about trends & developments. In the book, Rotmans writes "I could have made more progress if I had done less fighting and moved a little more and operated a little more subtly". For the undersigned definitely a mirror.?

After I had made an A4 full of notes from five chapters about my passion (leadership), I thought that Rotmans gives a good picture of old skool versus new leadership. He writes: 'there is a great need for connecting leadership, for leaders who give direction and offer space, who lead from a great empathic capacity, subordinate their ego to the bigger picture, are able to listen and show feelings, intrinsically motivate people and create connections at all levels'. This is taken from my heart. I am convinced that this (servant) leadership is the leadership style of the future. The number one leadership thinker worldwide, Marshall Goldsmith, also embraces servant leadership. From 'control to trust' is the message and from 'Neoliberal and Anglo-Saxon to Rhinelands***** .?

I also read with great interest the chapter 'Civil servants can make a difference'. There are tear-jerking examples of the effect of "rules" in the book. A few years ago I wrote about the municipality of Hollands Kroon and I am happy that Rotmans mentions this municipality. Civil servants are there for the citizen, the residents. It's not the other way around.?

The case studies of examples from IKEA, Rabobank, ABP, Shell and KLM really appealed to me and are enlightening.?

I advise the reader to read not only the chapter on their own domain or sector, but all chapters. As a result, one is offered a range of knowledge and inspiration.?

The undersigned reviewed three books by Rotmans, namely 'In the eye of the hurricane' (31 July 2014), 'Change of era- The Netherlands tilts' and the 'Revolution'. Compared to his previous books, this one is much more personal and accessible. This book differs from all its previous ones, both in content and form, and that makes it a fascinating book, a book that gives hope and perspective in chaotic times.?

This book contains everything about transitions. This is it! Another book is no longer necessary. If this were a thesis, I would write "Graduated Cum Laude and read with pleasure". I think it's by far the best book by Rotmans.??

Finally: I wrote "I sail blind on Rotmans" a number of times. I now add "and on Verheijden". Both men have succeeded in making an accessible book. For me an enrichment of knowledge and at the same time a great sense of recognition.??

HIGHLY recommended. The book is a must-read for chefs, team leaders, managers, directors, administrators and supervisors, (senior) teachers, students, policymakers and – last but not least – advisors and business partners.?

*****The rhineland way (ebook), Jaap Peters | 9789047070160 | Boeken | bol.com

THANKS TO Wouter Braake, ter , ?

Koos Groenewoud, Lelystad 11 November 2021.?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?