Baffled by ‘systems change’?

Baffled by the language and practice of systems change, and keen to learn more…?

Collective impact, collaboration, networks, complexity, emergence, systems change, systems thinking, complexity thinking, leverage points, disruptors, activations, regeneration, mapping, etc, etc, etc.

Have you noticed the way in which language has been shifting in recent years?

Language is a powerful tool for construction and deconstruction of meaning, especially in social spaces of inequity.

The shift in language reflects a shift in the way in which many are working within challenging and socially complex spaces of inequity, toward creating more sustainable and more equitable outcomes.

But all of these terms can be a little baffling, especially for newcomers (or oldtimers like myself) to the field of social change. If you are keen to learn more and don’t know where to start, consider registering for our upcoming workshop series on systems change.

Seeking to create a platform for sharing of knowledge and ideas, we have been offering free online webinars and workshops for those interested in learning more. In 2023, this began with really well attended webinars, and due to ongoing interest, we will offer a workshop series starting in May 2024. Below, I share insights from the series: Introduction to Systems Change in Aotearoa and share news about our upcoming series: Systems Change Online Workshop Series.

Presenters from our first series: Angie Tangaere, Anne-Marie Mujica and Jade Tang-Taylor

The 2023 Introduction to Systems Change in Aotearoa webinar series aimed to provide a platform for emerging and established leaders to learn about the frameworks and methodologies of systems thinking, tools, leadership, and change. We wanted to provide opportunities for leaders to:

• Connect with other community and sector leaders within NZ interested in equity issues
• Gain fresh understandings of systems change and ways to apply knowledge and tools
• Share innovative practices and ideas that generate systems change

Learning from inspiring practitioners and organisations who have been charting the waters of systems change for some time was a highlight for us. Two key ideas stood out from across the series. Firstly, using a framework to guide practice is an essential component of the work of systems change and social innovation. Secondly, this work is as much about who we are in relationship with others, as how we work. I.e., the being as important as the doing.

If you missed the series, you can still catch up here on our Leadership Lab Youtube channel and soon to be added to our podcast channel, Rourou Conversations. The series included:

• The Auckland Co-Design Lab sharing Hautū Waka: An approach to navigating complexity drawn from mātauranga Māori. Angie Tangaere and Anne-Marie Mujica skillfully introduced us to the indigenous navigation practice that can be used to map, guide and track complex change and learning work. Youtube link
• Jade Tang-Taylor generously shared her knowledge across three domains including Design Systems and Futures Thinking and we considered ways in which these intersect for the emergence of change. Youtube link (Jade in main picture at the top of the article)
• Tokona Te Raki shared Te Korekoreka: A kawa for Māori Future Making. It was a privilege to hear from Alice Dimond (below left) and Sam Wixon (below right) as they shared more about their mahi at Tokona te Raki, including their journey in designing and using Te Korekoreka. Youtube link

Depending on when you are reading this, you may be able to join some or all of our 2024 online workshop systems change series through May and June 2024. More information here.

You can connect with stories of impact from across our Leadership Lab ecosystem by signing up for this monthly pānui (see bottom of www.leadershiplab.co.nz), joining our Leadership Lab LinkedIn page, joining us on Facebook and browsing our website.

Thanks heaps for your interest and support.