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:

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.

Bevan’s diagram is a valuable visual synthesis of the work of Ryan Murphy in “Finding (a theory of) Leverage for Systemic Change” and John Kania et al on “The Water Of Systems Change“, helped along by the graphics of Sam Bradd.