Being in the Mess – Thriving in Our Complex World Together

From unprecedented ecological breakdown and political upheaval to extreme economic instability and the rise of AI, uncertainty has become a defining condition of our era. People everywhere are left feeling like the world is unravelling, unsure of how to move forward.

Being in the Mess offers a hopeful message for the well-being of humanity and the planet: what if the “mess” isn’t something to fix or escape, but the very place where new possibilities can emerge? Educators Derek Gladwin and Naoko Ellis combine philosophical depth with practical insight to help readers discover integrated world views to address global challenges. Moving beyond problem-solving culture, they offer relational ways to be present with each other in dialogue, storying, leading, and co-creation. Instead of struggling with a society focused on speed, disconnection, and security, readers will learn how to sit with ambiguity and paradox and find multiple perspectives on improving collective well-being through the many interconnected systems we inhabit.

The authors consider that in every crisis lies opportunity, and what truly shapes change is less about what one does than how they show up. Being in the Mess is an indispensable guide for anyone wanting to build resilience in an ever-changing, entangled world.