Research

How to Lead Systems Change Work

The Georgetown Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the McCourt School recently launched a new report outlining key steps on how to effectively lead systems change efforts. 

What does it take to truly change the systems that perpetuate some of the greatest inequities in our country –education, healthcare, housing, food access, criminal justice? In light of major crises facing our nation in 2020—the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing racial injustice—finding answers to this question is even more pressing.

A new report, authored by Dr. Luisa Boyarski , offers insight from nonprofit practitioners and leaders on what is needed for systems change to work well.

Rather than promoting one strategy for systems change over another, the paper highlights eight key features that emerged from a series of interviews with nonprofit practitioners. The report concludes that leaders who implement successful systems change must avoid over-committing to one strategy and instead learn how to weave strategies together and shift power over time as they work towards a shared goal.

Read the report here and learn more about the Center for Public & Nonprofit Leadership’s ongoing efforts to strengthen America’s nonprofit sector.

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