Client testimonials
“This stuff actually works”
Our work has been applied in businesses, social service agencies, hospitals, city governments, national governments, armies, churches, public utilities, indigenous communities, schools and other unique organisations.
We help leaders develop more humane and productive organisations that can meet their objectives and improve the human condition. It does so by presenting a coherent theory exemplified by numerous cases and practical experience.
Our clients appreciate not only the content of our work but the way that we work with them.
They consistently tell us they find it refreshing that we do not use jargon or technical speak and are not subject to whatever deems to be the latest management fad or trend.
Clients respond well to the fact that our work is based on sound principles and research but is also very practical.
As more than one leader has commented, "this stuff actually works."
More quotes from business leaders relating to Systems Leadership
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“Leading complex modern organisations requires a purposeful movement towards a desired culture of positivity. The theory, tools and models of Systems Leadership Theory gives contemporary leaders an invaluable insight into creating such a positive culture, particular one that underpins the technical work of organisations. Most importantly, Systems Leadership Theory provides the methodology to achieve this technical work whilst also focussing on the social processes that create positivity that is truly productive – this in particular is its greatest impact.”
Noel Rawlins, Executive Principal, Upper Coomera State College
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“People in complex organisations have a powerful need to understand what is expected of them to perform at their best. Systems Leadership provides a practical framework to describe and organise work, enabling team members to interact without fear or ambiguity.”
Steve Hodgson, Former CEO Rusal Marketing GmbH
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As a leader in education, Systems Leadership is the methodology I apply to lead my organisation. The application of systems leadership enables me to lead with clarity, to achieve our desired culture. By enabling others to exercise their talents, the application of systems leadership tools in my work is a multiplier to improve lives. I proudly apply systems leadership tools in other aspects of life too, including my small business which raises funds for Australian charities. Systems Leadership helps me direct my energy and ideas to enable others to flourish. It’s life-changing.
Mark Allen, Principal, Malanda State School
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“Systems Leadership is some of the most important work ever written with respect to understanding and improving organisations and their culture, irrespective of size or type. For those of us in the business of running companies, advising executive teams or boards, Macdonald provides the ability to predict with absolute certainty the effect of management initiatives, well meaning or otherwise, on the organisation’s culture and employee relations. It provides a framework for the design of your organisation and people systems. Virgin Blue Airlines… continues to use Systems Leadership theories to guide the rapid growth of our business and maintain our unique guest service experience. I cannot recommend the practical importance of this work more highly to those serious about sustaining an effective executive career.”
Bruce Highfield, General Manager People, Virgin Blue Airlines Ltd
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“This work is based on a multitude of practical experiences where the sustainable benefits from implementing the methodology have been very significant. Experienced leaders will recognise much of this material as a good fit with their intuitive understanding of how they have achieved success in the past. The value of this work is the ability to standardise this insight and to develop a new generation of leaders with confidence in a positive outcome both for them and the organisation.”
Oscar Groeneveld, Former CEO Rio Tinto Aluminium
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“Like most leaders, I have initiated many changes in organisations – some were successful and others were disasters! While the changes may have been ultimately achieved, it was more trial and error, with loss of time, human capital and cultural change. It is a “how-to”, providing the requisite roadmap with many practical tools for the leadership tool belt to help transform efficiently any organisation. Having worked across many mining and metals industries and in countries from the United States, to Wales and Russia, these tools transcend all cultures providing common, practical people-based concepts that will stay with you for a life time. This material is not ‘rocket science’ – it is a refreshing reinforcement for the common sense behaviours all leaders must have to be successful, but may have lost in their search for the ‘quick fixes’ or ‘silver bullets’.”
Wayne R Hale, Senior Vice President, Upstream SUAL-Holding
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“This is a timely and important book that contributes significantly to our understanding and development of positive organisations. Built on rock-solid theoretical foundations, this book offers much to both academics and practitioners and provides a rigorous and coherent approach which will support all those interested in helping organisations and individuals fulfil their potential.”
Professor Andy Adcroft, Deputy Dean, Surrey Business School
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“Leadership of complex organisations like the NHS needs to marry people and systems thinking, sound theory and learning through application. They are here in one excellent book.”
Alan Wilson, Associate Director, Aneurin Bevan Continuous Improvement, NHS Wales
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“Systems Leadership provides a unique perspective on the social building blocks that need to be put in place for businesses to be positioned to deliver success. It doesn’t promise miracles, it provides a framework for leaders to create an environment in which people are encouraged to fully utilise their capabilities to deliver a successful organisation. Macdonald et al have refreshingly acknowledged there are no shortcuts or silver bullets to delivering performance. Leaders must understand the world in which they exist and provide appropriate context for the teams they lead.
Don’t read this book if you don’t have the courage and perseverance to lead change. Our business is people and we will ultimately be measured as leaders by the results people deliver.”
Mark Cutifani, Former CEO Anglo American PLC
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“This book should be the top drawer practical text for all leaders. It reinforces the case for primacy of human over technical systems and the importance of trust among employees as the outcome of an effective culture.”
David Murray, Former CEO Commonwealth Bank of Australia
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“Being introduced to Systems Leadership has had a profound and positive effect on my work as a leader in education. Nothing else I have learned in the last 45 years has been as useful as the concepts, models and tools of Systems Leadership. This latest book finds a place on the top of the 'go to pile' on my desk because it provides a detailed understanding of its practical application in the day to day work of managers. It’s invaluable, the nexus of good theory and good practice.”
Clive Dixon, International consultant in Education
(previously Regional Director of Education Far North Queensland)
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“I have been eagerly awaiting Systems Leadership (Macdonald et al). The theoretical understandings and tools developed by the authors have long been central to my work. Systems Leadership however exceeds my expectations. It greatly extends my understanding. While I will use Systems Leadership as a seminal text as a school leader, I realise anyone fair dinkum about leadership or organisational effectiveness, no matter the size or contet of their organisation, will also benefit. I needed this book. I will use it, because I know the material works.”
Don Anderson, Tagai State College, Australia
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“I have implemented many of the principles described in the Systems Leadership book and can attest to their value in bringing about organisational change and improving effectiveness. It is a must read for leaders wanting to make their organisations more innovative and customer responsive.”
John Fielder, Former President, Southern California Edison
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“Systems Leadership is an approach that is applicable to any systems that organise work around people. I utilise Systems Leadership frequently to understand my work in healthcare. This book is a practical guide, equipping leaders with tangible actions to navigate their systems with ease.”
Dr. Julie Highfield, NHS National Project Director ‑ Wellbeing
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“The sound theory and ideas described in this latest version of the book remain highly applicable to the Higher Education sector and have influenced our approach to a series of challenging issues over the past 10 years with very beneficial outcomes.”
Paul R Thomas CBE, COO Brunel University London
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“A city manager faces constant demands for better services at lower cost (and lower taxes). Any mis-step can make headlines. Years of experience had given me a good intuitive understanding of what needed to be done in my city, but I found the language and theories of Systems Leadership and Stratified Systems clarified my experiences and allowed me to make changes to put the right people in the right roles and to improve our city’s systems and services to our citizens. I recommend this book for City Managers and all public managers who can help themselves, their employees and their communities by applying these ideas in your public organisation."
Don F. McIntyre, Former City Manager of Pasadena, CA
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“There are few books that provide essential leadership theory, based in both organisational and human behaviour, as well as practical guidelines and solutions to everyday leadership challenges the way Systems Leadership does. The theory presented in this book has been foundational to my understanding of organisations over the years. Systems Leadership is designed to provide spot on support for structuring routine leadership tasks along with easily accessible principles that offer insight for addressing difficult issues and people within the work of an organisation. The novice as well as the seasoned leader will find Systems Leadership to be a rich resource for personal and professional development.”
Wilsie Bishop, Vice President for Health Affairs, Eastern Tennessee State University