Core Concept
Relationships
Systems change is often characterized as a relational practice. Nurturing authentic, compassionate relationships creates the “stickiness” or connectedness of systems change work. Collective vision and collaborative efforts help facilitate change.
Relationships are essential to effective systems change because they:
- Provide mutual support: working as a team deepens capacity and mitigates isolation.
- Offer a diversity of perspectives and experiences.
- Serve as a foundation for negotiating conflict.
- Generate new ideas and knowledge that could not be created by one person alone.
- Create safety: deep relationships create space where people can feel comfortable expressing themselves fully.
- Facilitate resource flow: partners with diverse roles can help secure resources needed to achieve better results.
- Model vulnerability: leaders of collective change efforts can model vulnerability and encourage others to do the same.
Tools
Related Resources
Website
Systems Thinking and The Gap Between Aspirations and Performance
Garrison Institute
Slide Deck
SEY2KT Learning Community - Feb 2025