Address wicked problems by
embracing complexity and
creating systemic change
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It's recognised that projects and programs alone do not work for wicked problems and communities need to take a systemic approach.
By embracing complexity you can create systemic change - the change needed to address wicked problems like food waste, food insecurity, vulnerable children and place-based disadvantage. To do this leaders need new skills and tools that allow them to take coherent action in addressing these interconnected and multi-causal complex community problems. The Complex Systems Leadership Program fosters the development of these skills and provides participants with tools to hit the ground running. This course is underpinned by an international award winning model that demonstrates how complexity science can be used to create lasting systemic change for complex social policy problems. The program is delivered as either a:
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Next program starts November 2020
Complex Systems Leadership Program
for teams within organisations
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Give your team the knowledge, skills and tools to embrace complexity with our tailored Complex Systems Leadership Program for organisations.
The Program is self-paced and delivered online over a six-month period and includes monthly team mentoring sessions. During this time participants apply what they learn to addressing a complex (wicked) problem/s of their choice, in a community, using Wicked Lab's Tool for Systemic Change and nine Focus Areas. The Program consists of three units: Unit 1: Understanding wicked problems Unit 2: Tackling wicked problems by building adaptive communities Unit 3: Tackling wicked problems by strengthening the government-community interface |
Interested in running a program with your team in 2020?
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Complex Systems Leadership Program for
individuals within organisations
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Join a group of like minded individuals from a range of organisations working on a variety of wicked problems in diverse communities.
The structure and content of this program is the same as the teams program and is delivered online over a 6 month period. The cohort comes together monthly to share insights and learnings via online video conferencing. |
Next program starts November 2020
Key dates for the program
Unit release dates
Release Unit 1 Understanding Wicked Problems - Tuesday 10th November
Release Unit 2: Building the adaptive capacity of communities - Friday 11th December
Release Unit 3: Strengthening the government community interface - Friday 12th February
Online catch ups
Introduction catch up
Catch up #1 Introductions - Thursday 12th November Time TBA
Unit 1 focused catch ups
Catch up #2 Unit 1 catch up - Thursday 10th December time TBA
Unit 2 focused catch ups
Catch up #3 Unit 2 mid-unit catch up – Thursday 14th January time TBA
Catch up #4 Unit 2 end-unit catch up – Thursday 11th February time TBA
Unit 3 focused catch ups
Catch up #4 Unit 3 mid-unit catch up - Thursday 11th March time TBA
Key dates for the program
Unit release dates
Release Unit 1 Understanding Wicked Problems - Tuesday 10th November
Release Unit 2: Building the adaptive capacity of communities - Friday 11th December
Release Unit 3: Strengthening the government community interface - Friday 12th February
Online catch ups
Introduction catch up
Catch up #1 Introductions - Thursday 12th November Time TBA
Unit 1 focused catch ups
Catch up #2 Unit 1 catch up - Thursday 10th December time TBA
Unit 2 focused catch ups
Catch up #3 Unit 2 mid-unit catch up – Thursday 14th January time TBA
Catch up #4 Unit 2 end-unit catch up – Thursday 11th February time TBA
Unit 3 focused catch ups
Catch up #4 Unit 3 mid-unit catch up - Thursday 11th March time TBA
Program overview
Photo credit: Foresight Obesity System Map
Unit 1:Understanding wicked problemsThe aim of this Unit is to provide participants with an understanding of the characteristics of complex (wicked) problems, and why a complexity approach is required to address them.
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Photo credit: Arlington Count
Unit 2: Tackling wicked problems by building adaptive communitiesThis Unit aims to provide participants with the understanding, knowledge and skills required to assist communities to strengthen their adaptive dynamics, and transition to new ways of working that have increased system functioning and performance.
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Photo credit: Open Government Partnership
Unit 3: Tackling wicked problems by strengthening the government community interfaceThe aim of this Unit is to provide participants with the understanding, knowledge and skills required to assist governments to support systemic community innovation and change.
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Hear from past participants
"The course has been an incredible complement to my study and work in ‘design for transitions’ and has given me a richer understanding of the ‘how’ of change-making at scale. The Tool for Systemic Change is simple to use with smart functionality and I’m now using it to both inform the design of new initiatives as well as to map the impact of initiatives on a system at large.
The online learning system is easy to navigate and I have been able to learn at my own pace, sometimes in metered doses and sometimes in binge-like frenzies! The content is academic at times (which the nerd in me appreciated) but it was also unpacked in digestible ways and contextualised through real-world examples (which the practitioner in me appreciated). Regular online catchups with the Wicked Lab team have helped keep me on track, and group discussions have amplified my own learning, by both hearing about other people’s projects and by talking about my own. I would recommend this course for anyone who wants to lead system transitions and create real change in their world!"
Dr Nikki Wallace, Net-Zero Lab
"I would definitely recommend this program! It is so applied, which is vital because the content is quite different to what I’ve studied before. I have also really enjoyed the format of the online program - there is a good mix of videos, podcasts, lectures and face to face videoconference - so you are accountable! "
Dr Stephanie Godrich, Public Health - Edith Cowan University
"I would definitely recommend the program. An understanding of complex systems leadership theories have given me more confidence in approaching communities, and has allowed me to better articulate the complexity of communities and food security within our local context." Read more...
Jessica Flynn, Community Development Officer - City of Onkarparinga
The online learning system is easy to navigate and I have been able to learn at my own pace, sometimes in metered doses and sometimes in binge-like frenzies! The content is academic at times (which the nerd in me appreciated) but it was also unpacked in digestible ways and contextualised through real-world examples (which the practitioner in me appreciated). Regular online catchups with the Wicked Lab team have helped keep me on track, and group discussions have amplified my own learning, by both hearing about other people’s projects and by talking about my own. I would recommend this course for anyone who wants to lead system transitions and create real change in their world!"
Dr Nikki Wallace, Net-Zero Lab
"I would definitely recommend this program! It is so applied, which is vital because the content is quite different to what I’ve studied before. I have also really enjoyed the format of the online program - there is a good mix of videos, podcasts, lectures and face to face videoconference - so you are accountable! "
Dr Stephanie Godrich, Public Health - Edith Cowan University
"I would definitely recommend the program. An understanding of complex systems leadership theories have given me more confidence in approaching communities, and has allowed me to better articulate the complexity of communities and food security within our local context." Read more...
Jessica Flynn, Community Development Officer - City of Onkarparinga
