Systems Thinking for Strategic Leaders Training Course

Module 1: Introduction to Systems Thinking for Leaders

• What is systems thinking? Moving beyond linear cause and effect
• The limitations of traditional problem-solving in complex environments
• The power of seeing “the whole” and interconnections
• Key principles and concepts of systems thinking (e.g., holism, emergence, feedback)
• Why systems thinking is crucial for strategic leaders
• Practical session: Participants discuss a persistent problem in their organization and reflect on how a linear approach has failed to solve it.

Module 2: Understanding Systems and Their Characteristics

• Defining a system: Components, relationships, and boundaries
• Open vs. Closed systems and their interaction with the environment
• Static vs. Dynamic systems and their behavior over time
• Understanding emergence: How system behavior arises from interactions
• Identifying mental models: How our perceptions shape system understanding
• Practical session: Mapping the key components and boundaries of a familiar organizational system (e.g., customer service process).

Module 3: Identifying Causal Loops and Feedback Mechanisms

• Introduction to causal loop diagrams (CLDs) as a mapping tool
• Identifying variables and their relationships
• Understanding reinforcing (positive) feedback loops: Growth and decline
• Understanding balancing (negative) feedback loops: Goal-seeking and stability
• The concept of delays in feedback loops
• Practical session: Drawing a causal loop diagram for a common organizational dynamic (e.g., customer satisfaction and loyalty).

Module 4: Uncovering System Archetypes: Common Patterns of Behavior

• Introduction to common system archetypes (e.g., Limits to Growth, Shifting the Burden, Fixes That Fail)
• Recognizing archetypes in organizational contexts
• Understanding the underlying structures that generate these patterns
• Predicting system behavior based on identified archetypes
• Learning from recurring patterns to avoid past mistakes
• Practical session: Analyzing a case study and identifying the dominant system archetype(s) at play.

Module 5: Leveraging Leverage Points for Strategic Intervention

• What are leverage points? Places to intervene in a system
• Donella Meadows’ 12 Leverage Points: From parameters to paradigm shifts
• Identifying high-leverage vs. Low-leverage interventions
• Designing interventions that address root causes, not just symptoms
• The challenge of counter-intuitive outcomes from interventions
• Practical session: For a previously mapped system, participants identify potential leverage points for strategic intervention.

Module 6: Applying Systems Thinking to Strategic Challenges

• Using systems thinking for strategic planning and foresight
• Diagnosing complex organizational challenges (e.g., talent retention, innovation stagnation, low productivity)
• Formulating strategies that consider systemic impacts
• Anticipating unintended consequences of strategic decisions
• Creating a shared understanding of complex problems among stakeholders
• Practical session: Applying systems thinking to a specific strategic challenge brought by a participant (or a provided case).

Module 7: Systems Thinking for Organizational Design and Culture

• Designing organizational structures that support systemic flow and learning
• Fostering a culture of interdependency and collaboration
• Performance management from a systems perspective
• Leadership roles in nurturing a systems-thinking culture
• Building learning organizations through systemic feedback
• Practical session: Brainstorming how an organizational structure could be redesigned to promote better systemic outcomes.

Module 8: Data, Models, and Tools for Systems Thinking

• Introduction to basic quantitative systems thinking (stock and flow diagrams)
• The role of data in understanding system behavior
• Using simulation models for “what-if” analysis (conceptual introduction)
• Software tools for systems mapping and modeling (brief overview)
• Storytelling with systems diagrams
• Practical session: Creating a simple stock and flow diagram for a basic business process.

Module 9: Leading Systemic Change and Overcoming Resistance

• Understanding resistance to systemic change: It’s often structural, not personal
• Strategies for communicating systemic insights to diverse audiences
• Building coalitions for systemic change
• Facilitating group learning and challenging mental models
• Sustaining systemic change over time
• Practical session: Developing a communication strategy to introduce a systems-based solution to a resistant stakeholder group.

Module 10: Building a Systems-Thinking Organization

• Steps to embed systems thinking throughout an organization
• Training and capability building for systems literacy
• Fostering continuous reflection and learning loops
• The leader’s ongoing role in championing systems thinking
• Creating a resilient and adaptive organization for continuous success
• Practical session: Developing a personal action plan for implementing systems thinking practices within their own leadership role and team.

Requirements:

·       Participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

·       Applicants must live up to Armstrong Global Institute admission criteria.

Terms and Conditions

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free

2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.

4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.

5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Approved. Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

Booking for Training

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Armstrong Global Training & Development Center Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.

2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.

3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.

2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.

3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request for a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it conducted at our Training Centre or at a convenient location. For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588 or Email training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com

Accommodation and Airport Transfer

Accommodation and Airport Transfer is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588