The mayor is in trouble. We would like you to think about a number of strategies recommended to you by the Mayor. What strategies should the mayor use to overcome the resistance by the many stakeholders she is faced with.

Before you do that, it is important to understand what the underlying problem here is.

In essence, it is three-fold.

1.    Firstly, a large number of players or actors or parties are involved. Each party has different interests and each has certain means of power at its disposal. 

2.    There are many uncertainties – the issue that the Mayor is facing is ‘wicked’. 

3.    Moreover, the situation is extremely dynamic – other players could also turn up at any time and become involved in the port expansion. Equally, new information could become available, as a result of which the issue is suddenly seen from a different perspective.

These three characteristics are often encountered in technically complicated projects. Examples:

•      In major infrastructure projects, such as this port expansion, but also in the construction of roads, railway lines, airports, etc.

•      In the world of energy, for example in shale gas extraction, underground CO2 storage.

•      In large ICT projects that have a significant impact on the way in which professionals must do their work – e.g. ICT projects in the police and in hospitals.

Watch the clip below, which explains this and also provides an indication of what these three characteristics mean for leadership.