A systems approach to modern leadership

A Systems Approach to Modern Leadership

with Matt Barcomb @mattbarcomb

Pursue something passionately, but don't take anything too

The Meh

1. Embrace uncertainty 2. Consider the whole 3. Design experiments

(with some activities)

@mattbarcomb

Challenges for leaders (part 1)

@mattbarcomb

People-systems are made up of “parts” that are continuously contextually variable

Challenges for leaders (part 1)

@mattbarcomb

People-systems are made up of “parts” that are simultaneously parts of multiple systems

People-systems are made up of “parts” that are continuously contextually variable

Challenges for leaders (part 1)

@mattbarcomb

Embrace Uncertainty@mattbarcomb

Embrace Uncertainty

Purposeful Directional Goals

@mattbarcomb

Embrace Uncertainty

Purposeful Directional Goals

Enabling Constraints

@mattbarcomb

Embrace Uncertainty

Purposeful Directional Goals

Focus on Probleming

Enabling Constraints

@mattbarcomb

Goals & Constraints

@mattbarcomb

Goals & Constraints

What

@mattbarcomb

Goals & Constraints

What

Why

@mattbarcomb

Goals & Constraints

How

What

Why

@mattbarcomb

Goals & Constraints

How

What

Why

@mattbarcomb

4 Ws Problem Statement

@mattbarcomb

4 Ws Problem Statement

What?

@mattbarcomb

4 Ws Problem Statement

Who?What?

@mattbarcomb

4 Ws Problem Statement

Who?What?

Why?

@mattbarcomb

4 Ws Problem Statement

Who?What?

Why? When?

@mattbarcomb

Challenges for leaders (part 2)

@mattbarcomb

A lot of time is spent focused on improving individual parts in the system

Challenges for leaders (part 2)

@mattbarcomb

A lot of time is spent focused on improving individual parts in the system

The system is not treated as a whole, improving connections between the parts

Challenges for leaders (part 2)

@mattbarcomb

A lot of time is spent focused on improving individual parts in the system

Desired behaviors or outcomes are not supported by the system

The system is not treated as a whole, improving connections between the parts

Challenges for leaders (part 2)

@mattbarcomb

Consider the Whole@mattbarcomb

Consider the Whole

Boundaries

@mattbarcomb

Consider the Whole

Boundaries

Parts

@mattbarcomb

Consider the Whole

Boundaries

Parts

Connections

@mattbarcomb

First we determined boundaries

First we determined boundaries

Dev  Team

First we determined boundaries

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

First we determined boundaries

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Draw the boundaries in your system.

@mattbarcomb

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Mark  DevMgr

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Mark  DevMgr

DevsAlice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Sherri  CTO

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Sherri  CTO

Adam  Arch

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Sherri  CTO

PMO

Adam  Arch

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat

PMO

Adam  Arch

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Adam  Arch

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  Arch

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

SalesSherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

Sales

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

Sales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Next we identified parts

Draw the parts in your system.

@mattbarcomb

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added reporting

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added reporting

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added reporting

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added reporting

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added reporting

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added reporting

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added reporting

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added reporting

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added reporting

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added reporting

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added reporting

Draw the reporting connections in your system.

@mattbarcomb

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added workflow

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added workflow

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added workflow

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added workflow

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added workflow

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added workflow

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added workflow

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added workflow

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added workflow

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added workflow

Draw the workflow connections in your system.

@mattbarcomb

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added influences

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added influences

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added influences

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added influences

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added influences

Whole  Org

Prod  Dept

Dev  Team

Exec  Team

HRSales

Support

Finance

Sherri  CTO

Team  Wombat Team  

Xerces

PMO

Colleen  PjM

Adam  ArchOps

Mark  DevMgr

Devs

Tom  BA Testers

Alice  Lead

Then we added influences

Draw the influence connections in your system.

@mattbarcomb

Challenges for leaders (part 3)

@mattbarcomb

Changing people-systems will create unintended outcomes

Challenges for leaders (part 3)

@mattbarcomb

Changing people-systems will create unintended outcomes

All the outcomes from a change to apeople-system are impossible to predict

Challenges for leaders (part 3)

@mattbarcomb

Experiment Design

@mattbarcomb

Experiment Design

Hypothesis

@mattbarcomb

Experiment Design

Hypothesis

Experiment

@mattbarcomb

Experiment Design

Hypothesis

Experiment

Measurement

@mattbarcomb

Design an experiment

@mattbarcomb

Design an experiment

Simplify

@mattbarcomb

Design an experiment

Simplify Amplify

@mattbarcomb

Design an experiment

Simplify Amplify

Change

@mattbarcomb

Design an experiment

Simplify Amplify

Change Try

@mattbarcomb

Design an experiment

@mattbarcomb

Design an experiment

Target

@mattbarcomb

Design an experiment

Target Actual

@mattbarcomb

Design an experiment

@mattbarcomb

Design an experiment

Start

@mattbarcomb

Design an experiment

Start

Stop

@mattbarcomb

Design an experiment

Start

Stop

@mattbarcomb

Sense

Let me sum up.

Let me sum up.

Provide alignment through intent

Let me sum up.

Provide alignment through intent

Spend time to understand problems

Let me sum up.

Provide alignment through intent

Spend time to understand problems

Influence connections between parts

Let me sum up.

Provide alignment through intent

Spend time to understand problems

Influence connections between parts

Create an ecosystem of emergence

Let me sum up.

Provide alignment through intent

Spend time to understand problems

Influence connections between parts

Create an ecosystem of emergence

Employ a scientific approach

Questions?

Matt Barcomb @mattbarcomb [email protected]