Understanding the power of leverage points in systems innovation

Systems Thinking Leverage Points Prezzi by erin mcenery

Leigh Baker | February 25, 2026

Systems thinking thought leader Donella Meadows proposed that there are multiple ways to generate new behaviours in systems and that – sadly – the most powerful were also the least visible.

The foundational paper on this is is Leverage Points: Places to Invervene in Human Systems. It’s great BUT quite a big read if you’re time-poor.

A while ago I found this Prezzi slide show on Points of Power by Erin McEnery that gave a short summary – but the language still at a relatively technical level. Though I do like it’s closing slide:

Systems Thinking Leverage Points Prezzi by  erin mcenery
Leverage Points Prezzi by erin mcenery

Plus I found this short video explanation by founder of the Doughnut Economics Action Lab – Kate Raworth – useful.

But how to explain it more simply???

Recently, I found a great infographic by Helen Bevan that’s simpler, more accessible and more useable – particularly in the context of smaller organisations.

Systems Thinking leverage points in business
Image by Helen Bevan

You might also be interested in