The Power of Systems Change: A simple explanation to start the year
Author: Sandy Thompson, Director & CEO - LEAD
The English language is a funny thing – in the organisation leadership world we have two meanings for the word “system”. It can mean a way of working, organising, or doing something which follows a fixed plan or set of rules like a filing system; and it can also mean a combination of interdependent things or parts forming a complex or unitary whole, like a weather system (but hopefully not at the same time in the same room!).
You will not need to go far to hear people in our sector talking about not-for-profit organisations needing to influence systems change to make a real difference in their communities. What is this about?
It’s about the not for profit sector falling into the trap of doing the same things in the same way for decades, and expecting different results. Here are two very simple examples. Charitable organisations have been working to address poverty in Aotearoa since it was introduced along with colonisation, and the lack of success in that battle is evident in the statistics. The Auckland Ladies’ Benevolent Society in 1857 worked with women experiencing family violence, and 166 years later organisations such as Womens’ Refuge are still run off their feet.
While attitudes, perceptions and approaches to addressing social issues by community organisations have come a long way, we need to make a radical shift in the way we work and the way we think and to shift the narrative and create change in this century. We need to move from focusing entirely on immediate and tangible outcomes, and consider the broader impact our organisations have through creating systems change.
Understanding Systems Change
Systems change is a concept that refers to making significant and lasting improvements to the underlying structures, policies, and practices that contribute to a particular issue or problem. Instead of merely addressing symptoms or offering short-term solutions, systems change aims to transform the very systems that perpetuate those problems.
Think of it this way: If a community organisation is working to combat hunger in a community, providing food relief to those in need is important. However, systems change goes beyond distributing food; it involves examining and altering the root causes of hunger, such as poverty, unemployment, or food insecurity. By influencing the changing of the systems that perpetuate these issues, we can create sustainable, long-term solutions.
The Building Blocks of Systems Change
Understanding the System:
Before initiating any changes, develop an understanding of the system you wish to transform. This involves analysing the various components, relationships, and factors that contribute to the problem.
Identifying Leverage Points:
Identify what part of the system you are trying to change. Within any system, there are specific points or areas where changes can have the most significant impact. These are called "leverage points." Identify the points where you can have the greatest impact to effectively channel your efforts.
Collaborative Approach:
Systems change always requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, businesses, communities, and other not-for-profits. Working together brings diverse perspectives and resources to the table.
Advocacy and Policy Change:
Sometimes, systems change involves advocating for changes in policies and regulations that perpetuate the problem. Not-for-profits can totally engage in advocacy to influence decision-makers and create an environment conducive to change.
Measuring Impact:
It's essential to track and measure the impact of systems change efforts. This involves collecting data, assessing outcomes, and adjusting strategies based on feedback and results.
Examples of Systems Change in Action
Education: A not-for-profit addressing educational disparities may provide not only tutoring but also advocate for policy changes to improve school funding and access to quality education for all students.
Environmental Conservation: Organisations concerned with environmental issues may engage in systems change by not only educating communities on sustainable practices at a household level, but influencing local government policies on environmental protection, and fostering community awareness of the impact of climate change emergencies.
Healthcare: Not-for-Profits providing healthcare can strive for systems change by advocating for improved access, addressing inequities in healthcare delivery, and promoting preventative health care initiatives.
If your still not convinced of the wide reach of your organisation’s mahi because of its size, structure or mission and passion, watch this video
In a nutshell, systems change is about shifting the focus from short-term fixes to long-term, sustainable solutions. By embracing systems change and working across communities and across sectors, not-for-profits can create a more significant and lasting impact on the issues they care about, ultimately leading to positive and transformative outcomes for communities and society as a whole.
Yeah, But it’s Hard
Those of you who have worked with LEAD know we don’t do “yeah, but” only “yes, and”.
Yes, it is difficult to source funding and resources for systems change work. And we can we can still deliver programme for short and medium term outcomes while advocating to funders how systems change will deliver on their investment.
Yes, it is difficult to measure one organisation’s impact on changing the system. And we can take an approximate measure of the right thing rather than an accurate measurement of the wrong thing (credit to philosopher and logician Carveth Read), to gather evidence of what needs to change to create change
Yes, some groups do not work at providing social services or directly mitigating the impact of social inequity. And they can encourage their members to vote to ensure that Governments allocate resources to activities that encourage social cohesion and build social capital such as local libraries, fishing clubs and sports days.
Yes, it is hard to make a difference for families and whanau when you are only a small part of a system. And we can collaborate with others to understand the bigger picture, and create greater impact by together addressing the issues from multiple directions.
Systems Leadership
Systems change requires systems change leadership. Professor Keith Grint, renowned author on leadership says: “The leader’s role with a wicked problem is to ask the right questions rather than provide the right answers because the answers may not be self-evident and will require a collaborative process to make any kind of progress.” To see what it takes to engage in systems leadership check out this graphic. (Thank you to Rochana Sheward)
Finally
We’ve all heard the Margaret Mead quote: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. If you are not already, it’s time to commit to systems change and participate in the movement to make this happen.