This conversational blog written by a strategic advisor to Oxfam Novib explores what complexity theory has to offer to development policies and aid. The article applies complexity theory to the most important development issues to see what can be changed in our approach to development. Furthermore it also calls for a different mindset within the organisation of aid agencies. Moving away from a mechanical view based on predictability and perfect approaches towards a more adaptive complex view. The latter encourages the agencies to review progress often, pick up on unintended consequences, look for the unexpected and scan for signs of change.