A systematic approach leads to sustainable change, empowered teams

By Kara Finney

With everything that is going on around the world today, let along on our own streets or in our neighbourhood, we need to be talking about solutions that work. There is a need to figure out how to put things in motion and figure out what direction to go in for things to get better.

But change for the sake of change results in everyone running in circles. Understanding first where we are going – a picture of what success looks like and what ‘better’ looks like – opens space for innovation and creativity in the solutions we bring forward. Having everyone directed towards one common point will have us pulling together to that point, as compared to working at odds or cross-purposes.

It’s all connected

To be effective in change, it is tremendously helpful to see that the world is made up of systems, and that all those systems are intricately integrated, wrapped into one another. One small change can positively impact one thing while negatively impacting another. It’s a sort of ‘butterfly effect.’

At Workplace Education Manitoba, we train people in and we ourselves believe in systems thinking. It’s about understanding that there are systems and understanding the importance of how the systems work and impact us each and every day.

Systems thinking is a way of making sense of the complexity of the world by looking at it in terms of wholes and relationships, rather than splitting it down into its constituent parts. It has been used as a way of exploring and developing effective action in complex contexts, enabling systems change.

But if we are looking for change – it isn’t just about systems thinking – it is about engaging a “learning mindset.”

Change your mind

A learning mindset is an openness to learning, to being inquisitive. It is a frame of mind that is consistently present; it’s an attitude and ultimately can be a culture of being solutions-based. Solutions that are tried and tested and changed based on whether we hit the goal we were aiming for. It’s learning from each iteration of a proposed solution and improving on it each time.

This is the thing: for every bit of learning for each individual within a system, everyone is impacted. Imagine the change in a workplace system when an inventory sheet is now filled out properly as compared to running out of parts, or clarifying questions are being asked to confirm understanding instead of having to “do it again.” How about a team where difficult questions and differences of opinions create a dynamic and innovative working environment as compared to arguments and avoidance.

Take aim, be open to change

Learning is the key to change that can be targeted and intentional. It’s being mindful of what isn’t working and, more importantly, what is working. It’s understanding what is going well and being open to hearing what isn’t and why. It’s being inquisitive and aware of those folks or methods that unexpectedly have the answer.

Be willing to create a process of change that is grounded in a learning mindset. By doing so, and in turn creating and supporting systems or habits for learning and skill building, we will all become successful, just because the process works and, as a result, the system is a success.

And yes, I understand the complicated nature of what I just said. It isn’t just one skill or one person. This is big and it may feel insurmountable, but change is funny. When you have a long way to go, one small change in direction can greatly impact where you end up. Just make that small change with purpose so that you end up close to where you need to be.

Resiliency is the key

Having been in a leadership role for many years, I realize that some will read this and will resonate with the words. For others, maybe not so much. What I can say is this: The people that most impacted me throughout my career were those that guided me with their experience but allowed me the space to make my own mistakes. This space and experience helped build my self-confidence but, more importantly, my resilience. 

That resilience is the ability to keep coming back, to not give up, to be inquisitive, to not assume the first answer is the best one, and most of all, to figure out what success looks like before acting.

It can be too easy to lose track of where you are going if you don’t look up once in a while. In hindsight, I am who I am because of a few people that created an environment rooted in a learning mindset.

Kara Finney is Chief Executive Officer of three partnering organizations: Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM), Essential Skills Manitoba (ESM), and Workplace Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (WPLAR) – organizations that directly support both Skills for Success and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) across Manitoba and Canada. With extensive experience in manufacturing and supply chain, Kara understands the benefits and opportunities of integrating Skills for Success and RPL into the workplace and beyond.