Systemic Coaching: Beyond the Individual & Organizational Change
Explore why individual breakthroughs often fail in rigid systems. Learn how systemic coaching and systems thinking can drive successful organizational change.
Best quote from Systemic Coaching: Beyond the Individual & Organizational Change
If we want to actually move the needle, we have to stop asking 'what’s wrong with this person' and start asking 'what is the system trying to express through this person.'
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
The theory behind Systemic coaching, how it is different from other types of coaching, and how to actually use it in a coaching session.
![[PDF] What is Systemic Coaching? Paul Lawrence Sydney, Australia](https://d1y2du6z1jfm9e.cloudfront.net/assets/podcast/purple.png)
Frequently Asked Questions
Systemic coaching moves beyond treating the person as an isolated unit or a single gear in a machine. While traditional coaching often focuses on polishing the individual, systemic coaching looks at the entire ecosystem and the invisible threads connecting everyone. This approach recognizes that for true transformation to occur, coaches must address the broader system rather than just the individual node to ensure growth doesn't evaporate when the leader returns to their office.
According to a report from Gartner, only 34% of organizational change initiatives actually succeed, representing a staggering failure rate. This often happens not because of a lack of talent or effort, but because systems naturally seek homeostasis. Even if a state is dysfunctional, it is stable, and the system will exert massive counter-pressure to return a leader to their original role the moment they attempt to implement change.
Homeostasis is a core concept in systems thinking that explains why individual breakthroughs often fail to stick. Systems act like a machine that resists new directions, exerting pressure to maintain a stable, existing state. In leadership development, this means that even a brilliant leader who achieves massive breakthroughs may find their growth evaporating if the surrounding organizational system is rusted or moving in a different direction, forcing them back into old patterns.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
