3 Characteristics of Systems Leadership

In order to make progress on complex issues, Systems Leadership is required. Systems Leadership is the ability to inspire others to work together for the good of the entire system. I think of Nelson Mandela who pulled together leaders from both sides to build a new country. I have visited South Africa. It is leaps ahead of many other countries who are dealing with divisive issues.

An article by Senge, Hamilton & Kania, The Dawn of Systems Leadership, talks about how Systems Leadership can help solve society's most intractable problems. I especially like how they described the three main characteristics of Systems Leaders.

Characteristics of Systems Leaders

1. The ability to visualize the larger system. Instead of focusing only on the parts of the system that they can see, which is a natural tendency in any complex situation, Systems Leaders had the perspective of the entire system. They helped others see the entire system so that they could collaborate for the good of the entire system. Systems Thinkers can rise above the situation to envision the whole system, with its inter-related parts. They understand the goals that everyone in the system shares.

2. Fostering reflection and more generative conversations. Deep listening and understanding assumptions leads to listening to the mental and emotional experiences of each other. Trust is built during these conversations. Systems Leaders realize that much of the foundation work for the new system is in these conversations.

3. Shifting the collective focus from reactive problem solving to co-creating the future. Systems leaders help others to co-create visions, assess the present reality and use the tension between the two to inspire creative ways forward. They are proactive in their decision making.

Being a Systems Leader takes time and commitment. It isn’t something you do once, it becomes the way you lead consistently over time. The authors state, “Real change starts with recognizing that we are part of the systems we seek to change. The fear and distrust we seek to remedy also exist within us—as do the anger, sorrow, doubt, and frustration. Our actions will not become more effective until we shift the nature of the awareness and thinking behind the actions.”

Only when you realize that you are not separate from the system, but you are a part of it, can you make any changes. Change start with yourself. And since all changes in a system impacts other parts of the system, then by changing your thinking and actions you start changing the entire system.

I specialize in coaching leaders with a technical background to be Systems Thinkers. If you want to “step up” to the next level of leadership contact me: Valerie.MacLeod@HainesCentre.com

If you’d like to read the entire article: The Dawn of Systems Leadership