A New Perspective on Systems Leadership and Its Impact on Sustainable Social and Economic Innovation

Abstract

This study examined how learning and working from an Anti-Oppressive Practice (AOP) lens supports early-career systems leaders to advance sustainable social and economic innovation. In particular, we examine the challenges and opportunities posed by such integration, and explore how the new orientation of participants towards the AOP influences their decision-making process and the possibility of developing sustainable solutions. The project utilized two qualitative data sources. The participants were able to identify methods of learning more about AOP (e.g., learning from others, identifying and utilizing key stakeholders) and acknowledging responsibility to create space for AOP as emerging business leaders. Two key findings emerged from the research participants pertaining to how AOP supported their development of systems leadership capabilities for purposes of advancing sustainable social, economic, and environmental innovation. As successive groups of future systems leaders enter the sector in Canada, this paper will assist in understanding the complexities and potential benefits of employing an AOP lens to systems leadership and systems thinking.