Systems Thinking in OD Practice

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Effective leaders need to be aware of all the things that determine whether an organization can adapt, change and grow--especially in volatile markets and a rapidly changing world. A comprehensive approach to leadership development is critical. Systems Thinking enables effective leaders to have an understanding of the principles that determine whether their organization can thrive and evolve in rapidly changing environments.

The world around us is changing at a faster pace than ever before. In order to maintain ourselves in a changing world, we have a few options:

• Adapt to the changes as they happen
• Predict future changes and prepare for them
• Learn to become "change agents" to create the change we want to happen.

In this session, gain an introductory understanding of systems theory, and more importantly, explore why these new scientific principles are completely redefining the way we understand and manage our organizational processes and develop our organizational cultures for performance and ongoing viability.

This session will enable you to:

• Design organizational structures and processes capable of remaining sustainable and growing in changing economic and societal climates.
• Discover strategies that utilize the most influential leverage points for results and ongoing improvement.
• Understand the core principles that determine any open system's ability to remain viable and grow.
• Learn the four "Cs" of human systems, what sets us apart and the additional issues organizational systems must address.
• Move beyond first level, linear cause and effect thinking to understand complex and unpredictable outcomes in decision-making.
   

Presenter:

Sherryl Stalinski, Ph.D.abd.
Sherryl Stalinski has 20 years of executive leadership experience in development, management and communications in both corporate and non-profit environments. Sherryl has worked regularly with corporations and consulting firms nationally as a leadership & OD trainer, strategic consultant, and executive coach, and has presented leadership development seminars through the University of Chicago and other organizations. Currently, she is a Senior Consultant with Boston-based Keane Consulting at their Bloomington, IL branch, working onsite for a Fortune 100 client.

Sherryl worked for three years as Director of Communications for the Windstar Foundation, founded by singer/songwriter and activist John Denver and Aikido Master Tom Crum. After the untimely death of Windstar President John Denver in 1997, Sherryl accepted the challenge to co-found and manage the start up and development of the Aurora Now Foundation, a research and educational organization focused on systems research. She holds a B.A. in management, an M.A. in Organizational Development, and is currently completing her doctoral research in Organizational Systems at the Saybrook Institute. Sherryl's work has been published by research and education organizations and journals internationally, including the Journal for Quality & Participation, World Futures Journal, The Organizational Development Journal and The International Journal of Evidence-Based Coaching & Mentoring. Sherryl is an International Systems Institute fellow and remains active in the systems research communities.

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