This course will cover the key aspects of systems leadership – What is it? How is it different to ‘just’ leadership? And give you tools to think in a systems leadership way.   

We work within a university system that, in turn, sits inside a whole ecosystem of interrelations within and without the university sector.  This programme will offer senior leaders a new lens through which to make sense of the complex relationships that create our system and a set of tools and approaches to consider new ways to effect change, devise strategy and impact culture.  

• Who is in our system? 

• How do we make change within a system? 

• Who do we need to influence and how do we lead without authority across a system? 

This workshop relates to the following competencies outlined in the Competency Framework. 

• Innovation and Problem solving 

• Collaboration 

• Adaptability 

• Leading others: sets the direction 

• Leading others: drives performance 

Please note that a similar workshop was delivered in 2024/25 under the title “Driving outcomes beyond boundaries: Systems leadership unlocked”.  

Learning outcomes: 

• Understand how systems leadership offers a new lens on the institution and its context and new approaches to engaging with complex challenges  

• Explore how to apply systems thinking to developing and delivering strategy  

• Engage with new techniques for applying a systems approach to problem solving   

• Understand the shift in mindset that leaders need to adopt when leading systems   

• Consider the importance of role and role relationships in a system and how to use these as a vehicle for change 

Please be aware that this workshop is a discussion-based session with pair and group exercises. You do not have to share anything you are not comfortable with but bear in mind you will be asked to reflect on your own experiences. 

Before or after attending this course, you may also be interested in attending the Stakeholder partnerships and collaboration workshop or workshops from our “Leading differently” section.   

Pre-work: Before the session, please read this NHS leadership academy paper on Developing Systems Leadership: 

Developing-Systems-Leadership-July-2017.pdf (specifically pp4-7) 

And read this UK Government guidance on Systems Leadership: 

Systems Leadership Guide: how to be a systems leader - GOV.UK 

Which provide two quite different views on systems leadership.