approach
we believe that profound systems change begins from where we stand in the system.
we facilitate transformative learning experiences that build capacity for systems thinking and systems wayfinding.
'to transform the world, we must begin with ourselves; and what is important in the beginning with ourselves is the intention. the intention must be to understand ourselves, and not to leave it to others to transform themselves. this is our responsibility, yours and mine; because, however small may be the world we live in, if we can bring about a radically different point of view in our own existence, then perhaps we shall affect the world at large.'
— j. krishamurti
our mental model of systems thinking
'doing systems' is a process, not an outcome. the goal is to deepen our insight on the system. systems work doesn't have an end point, but is an ongoing journey
there is no one way to do systems work, no one starting point. there are multiple journeys and paths
our own personal mental model and practice is the strongest influence in how we understand and see a system.
we conceptualize and work from a social and complex systems approach - using social learning activities to unpack and explore the system.
working with us means
spending time unpacking what is currently invisible
because root causes of complex problems are hidden in plain sight
because we need to pull back the blinders on bias
because the systems becomes visible through layers of perspectives
returning to what we think we know
to continue to build and expand understanding
to push beyond singular ways of knowing
to engage with the dynamic nature of the system
centering the inner work
to change the systems from where we stand
to surface and contend with our bias and assumptions
because our personal practices are the most sustainable mechanisms for systems change
building and adapting as we go
to respond to what emerges
to contend with unintended consequences
to enable the system to guide the work
our systems worldview
in many ways, the beings on this earth and the earth itself, are suffering. we see and experience this as tensions and conflict, resource break points, occasionally unintended, but often nonetheless harmful system structures and processes that replicate and amplify over space and time. we are driven to understand how we can be good humans on this earth, and try to make things a little bit better for everyone and everything that is a part of this ecosystem we share with them.
these values and views also inform how we define the system in which we want to enact systems leadership and a core element is honouring, learning from and sharing, first nation’s ways of seeing, knowing, being and doing. we think this is healing, and medicine for this suffering and harm.
therefore, for us, the system is not just the human parts, or the human-technical systems, but so much more than that. it is truly the relationship between all things. when you take this at a conceptual level, it may seem that all systems work accepts this starting point, but upon closer examination, as humans in this field of study and practice, there is often a much more limited scope applied.
for our work we define and practice with the understanding that a system is a web of interconnected relationships that intentionally extends beyond human-centered boundaries to include all beings—animate and non-animate—across multiple generations and timescales. these relationships are characterized by fundamental mutuality, where the wellbeing of each part is inherently connected to the wellbeing of all others. the system boundary recognizes that non-human beings possess inherent roles, wisdom, and contributions that exist independent of human assignment, operating together toward ending suffering and creating wellbeing for all.
we see this worldview as multitudinal, shifting not only what deserves attention and care, but shifting who we are in relationship with. it calls in diverse cultures and communities and whole elements of earth that also offer wisdom and insight, and roles of contribution. it asks for the consideration of different time scales of responsibility and impact and to see and understand patterns and trends. such a system definition is not simply about expansion (include all things!), but an inherently different relationship to the intention and aim of the work.