Why Understanding the System Matters More Than Changing the Leader

A client shared this in our very first coaching conversation:

“I’ve attended so many leadership trainings throughout my career. But when I show up boldly and encourage open and honest feedback, it doesn’t get me or my team anywhere in this organization.”

The client began to question widely discussed leadership principles and wondered if a different set of leadership values was needed to succeed in the role.

Instead of jumping straight into the client’s initial concern, my instinct was to step back and understand the system the client was operating in. With permission, I spoke with a few of the client’s colleagues and took a closer look at the cultural dynamics.

The findings were interesting but not surprising.

While the organization communicated values of openness and transparency outwardly, there were distinct subcultures that operated differently.

In the client’s environment:

• Leaders who “rocked the boat” were generally not well received.
• Good news was shared and celebrated.
• Challenging issues were less often discussed or debated.
• Local culture norms influenced how leadership show up.

The focus of the coaching engagement naturally shifted from: “How do I adopt a new set of leadership beliefs?” to “How can I lead successfully in my current environment while staying true to my core values?”

Had I not leaned into my intuition and experience, the outcome of the coaching engagement would have been very different.

This moment made me especially thankful for the advice from my mentors and coaches to lean into my global corporate experience, my strengths, and my organization development background.

In this situation, they help me:

• Recognize the complexity of the client experience through a system lens.
• Develop deeper empathy for the client’s emotions and dilemmas.
• Stay present in the unknown and hold space for new possibilities to emerge for the client.
• Support the client in navigating cultural nuance to succeed in the role.

Sharing this as a reminder for all of us to embrace our gifts and lived experience. Don’t underestimate the impact you have on others and your workplace, no matter how small it may seem.