The rhetoric and reality of systems leadership

Bolden, Richard

Abstract

Heralded as a means for improving collaboration and alignment between agencies, communities and providers, ‘system(s) leadership’ is becoming increasingly advocated in public services. In the clamour and enthusiasm with which it has been embraced, however, remarkably little attention has been given to the assumptions on which it is based and the potential for unintended consequences. This presentation draws on insights from applied studies of systems leadership in range of contexts - including the response to Covid-19 - to highlight the factors that enable or constrain an effective systems leadership approach. In so doing, a shift in perspective is encouraged: from the skills, attributes and/or behaviours of system leaders to the relational and emergent nature of leadership in complex systems.

Citation

Bolden, R. (2020, May). The rhetoric and reality of systems leadership. Presented at The Future of Leadership, Kings College London

• Presentation Conference Type: Keynote
• Conference Name: The Future of Leadership
• Conference Location: Kings College London
• Start Date: May 22, 2020
• Deposit Date: Nov 28, 2020
• Series Title: POTRA People Futures Community of Interest
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6903433