The Case for Systems Literacy in Leadership

The study of leadership has always strived to locate the influence of individuals on the outcomes that shape nations. It is perhaps this contemplation that minted the popular definition of leadership as ‘influence’.

John C Maxwell’s assertion that “everything rises or falls on leadership” presents a striking testament to its engrossing nature. We spend notable time probing the impact of leadership, trying to redefine what constitutes ‘acceptable’ guidance.

In his book ‘Presidential Power’, Anthony Butler explores the impact of leaders on historical events, contrasting it with the contemporary argument that history is often an inevitable result of underlying structural causes.

Butler concludes: “Leaders are constrained by the same institutional, economic and political forces that give them their power.

We should not expect them to change the world. But we can hope that they will try to make positive rather than negative differences.”

These institutional, economic and political forces represent the systems through which influence is stewarded. Butler’s findings establish a leadership imperative: the necessity of understanding and navigating these systems.

A significant observation regarding the constraints leaders face – particularly young leaders – is a poor grasp of the contexts within which they operate.

One wonders whether ‘systems literacy’ might provide leaders with a better chance at moving from mere participation to influencing the outcomes at their disposal.

Youth, fuelled by charisma and vitality, often enter the scene as the long-awaited solution to ancient problems. Yet, despite their zest, their tenure in formal leadership is often short-lived.

This reality compels a deep dive into systems literacy as a solution to these brief stints of leadership.

Systems literacy is the cultivation of a thorough comprehension of the purposes, incentives, patterns, levers, interrelationships and stakeholders that constitute a system. It is an indispensable tool for maximised output.

Outcomes are engineered and delivered through institutional capacity, which depends on internal systems and processes. Namibia’s third president, Hage Geingob, often emphasised safeguarding systems, institutions and processes for sustainable governance to move away from over-reliance on individuals.

The failure of many leaders begins with a ‘delusion of grandeur’ – the belief that transformation is contingent solely on an individual’s aspirations and a small circle of well-meaning people.

A focus on systems literacy shifts the conversation away from leadership that is charismatic but lacking in legacy. History is littered with examples of ‘systems’ that successfully withstood ‘personalities’.

When discussing desirable leadership, it is time to rethink deliverables. Do we want leaders who inspire confidence for a time but achieve no lasting change? Or do we need leaders who possess the competence to transform through systems?

Leadership cannot merely be the ability to mobilise or occupy positions of authority. Its true test lies in whether influence can be translated into enduring outcomes.

For young leaders, the challenge is rarely an absence of passion; it is the absence of a clear understanding of the institutional terrain. Systems literacy provides that orientation.

It enables leaders to identify where influence truly resides and which incentives shape decision-making.

Without this, leadership risks becoming performative – rich in rhetoric but poor in consequence. With it, leadership becomes strategic and capable of producing results that outlive the person.

If leadership is influence, then systems literacy is the language through which that influence is expressed.

It transforms enthusiasm into impact and positions leaders not merely as participants, but as stewards capable of improving the systems they lead.

The question is not simply whether we are producing more leaders, but whether we are producing leaders who understand the systems they seek to lead.

– Esther Shakela is lead facilitator at Kyndle by Kelilah, a leadership development practice focused on systems literacy.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.