Many cultures have a basic ‘sense-making tool’ that defines something by what it is not. For example, the term neti-neti is used in some contexts for this purpose. To understand “I” one might say, I am not my hand, so what am “I”? Here is a list of what systemic change is not and what it might look like.

Systemic Change Work is not:

• Asking people how they feel about things that are easily discernible
• Information without a usable action plan
• A process replicating 70% of other processes

Systemic Change Work:

• Requires a paradigm shift
• Requires a pressing need
• Requires synchronicity to occur
• Requires critical thinking skills
• Requires adaptive learning processes
• Requires decades to accomplish
• Requires reallocation of resources
• Requires revision of existing roles
• Requires trust and commitment
• Requires a self-sustaining framework
• Requires persistent allies to make change
• Requires a process to change beliefs as well as knowledge

See also:

Systemic Change – A Deeper Dive