These publications give a comprehensive account of the theories and also provide detailed descriptions of how the concepts have been effectively implemented
Our publications
Systems Leadership
Creating Positive Organisations
Second Edition
This is the most comprehensive account of Systems Leadership concepts, models and tools
Co-authored by Ian Macdonald, Catie Burke and Karl Stewart, the second edition of this influential and bestselling book is concerned with how people come together to achieve a productive purpose.
Survival and success in business and social terms have always depended upon our ability to form and sustain social organisations. People have a deep need to be creative and to belong. By creating positive organisations, we can fulfil these needs and build a worthwhile society.
Unlike many business books this not only explains how to bring about organisational change but provides evidence both qualitative and quantitative of significant positive results.
The Work of Management
This book is a manual for leaders to apply Systems Leadership in their organisation
Co-authored by Ian Macdonald, Catie Burke and Karl Stewart, this book outlines the main concepts of Systems Leadership with a focus on how and when to apply the concepts and tools. It is a practical guide for those running organisations including managers and leaders at all levels, not just CEOs or Managing Directors. The book contains several exercises and case studies.
Improving Schools Using Systems Leadership
Turning intention into reality
This book gives an account of applying the material that is accessible for those who may have no background or prior knowledge of Systems Leadership
It explains how Systems Leadership can and has been applied in schools, particularly in Far North Queensland, to bring clarity to the purpose, structure and systems within a school and have a major impact on its success.
Co-authored by Ian Macdonald, Clive Dixon and Tony Tiplady, this book not only outlines principles and methods but provides evidence of positive results over time. It shows that consistent application rather than fads actually produces results.
Organisations and Leadership during Covid-19
This is an account of a very wide range of businesses from around the world used principles of Systems Leadership to address the challenges of the pandemic. It also provides an analysis of other organisations that did not
All of us have direct experience of how the Covid-19 Pandemic has affected the world around us, our families, the people with whom we interact and work and the different regions and countries where we live. These experiences are part of a universal shared context. This study concerns a particular aspect of that context - organisational and leadership responses to the Pandemic.
Co-authored by Geoff McGill, Ian Macdonald, Hilton Barnett, Clive Dixon, Dr Julie Highfield, Don Farrands, Tom Palmer, Rob Chaston and Graeme Mitchell, the purpose of this book is to demonstrate how the body of knowledge known as Systems Leadership can be used to better explain why organisational and leadership responses to the Covid-19 Pandemic were effective (or not). Examples included in the book demonstrate good practice but also help understand why some practices were less successful.