We All Have a Role in Systems Change

In a previous post, I suggested that there are cracks in our current community systems. I’ve been reflecting on this more, and I think we need to name what’s really happening: times have changed… a lot. It’s safe to say that the shift happened after COVID. The pandemic changed everything — us as individuals, our towns and cities, and the systems that hold them together. Nothing stayed the same.

Now, five years later, I’m noticing something that worries me. We’re snapping back to our old ways and that’s why the cracks in our systems are becoming so visible. They’re not new; they’ve just gotten bigger. Some are even starting to crumble.

“Old ways won’t open new doors.”

We need to open our eyes and have the courage to admit that the old ways will only get us the same results. We need to stop talking about the problems and start listening to and centering community to create the system changes that are needed.

But most of all, we, you and I, need to be part of it.

I’ll be honest: when I used to hear the word systems, I’d turn the other way. It felt too big, too complex — something for governments and organizations, not for me.

Then I heard a line on a recent podcast that changed my mind: “To change a system, we need to start with ourselves.” That one sentence shifted everything my thinking for good.

Now I’m on a quest to understand how can I be a systems changer in my local community? What are the small actions that can make a difference?
I know this is a long journey, and I don’t have all the answers, but I’d love to hear from you.

How are you thinking about your role in systems change at a local level?

What small steps are you taking (or dreaming about) to make your community the best place to live, work and play?