Systems Leadership Association

About the SLA

Systems Leadership (SL) is a coherent and integrated theory of organisational behaviour developed over several decades by Dr Ian Macdonald, Dr Catie Burke, Karl Stewart and others building on work with Elliott Jaques. It is described in the book “Systems Leadership, Creating Positive Organisations – 2nd Edition” written by Ian Macdonald, Catherine Burke and Karl Stewart.SL supports the leaders in an organisation to create the conditions where people at all levels willingly give of their best. It uses sound principles about human behaviour to create models of good leadership, organisational strategy, systems design and social process. Use of the SL has become and continues to be embedded in many organisations throughout the world.The SLA is a not-for-profit organisation that exists for the benefit of its members. SLA acknowledges that there may be overlapping areas of interest with Macdonald Associates Consultancy and Systems Leadership Community Interest Company.Membership of the SLA comprises a contemporary mix of individuals with a range of knowledge and experience in the use and application of SL who share a desire to develop that understanding and application.
 
The purpose of the SLA is to assist each other in the understanding and application of Systems Leadership.
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SLA Charter

This group initially became the Systems Leadership Development Association (SLDA) in 2014. In 2024 our name has been updated to Systems Leadership Association (SLA).

The Charter has been developed to provide a clear description of the Association, its purpose, scope, guiding principles and how it works. View a copy of the Charter.

Latest news

Annual Conference 2025 – Registrations are open

We are pleased to announce that registrations are now open for the 2025 SLA Annual Conference being held in Melbourne from the 15th to the 17th of May at the Stamford Plaza Hotel.

Special note: Register and pay by 31st March to take advantage of our earlybird pricing offer!

Theme:

When:

Where:

Why:

Cost:

Conference format:

Successful use and application of Systems Leadership

Thursday 15th May to Saturday 17th May 2025 inclusive.

Stamford Plaza Hotel (111 Little Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000)

To provide opportunities for you to deepen your understanding of Systems Leadership (theory and practice) in order to assist each other in the understanding and application of Systems Leadership.

$545 per person

Special Note: We are offering earlybird pricing of $495.00 per person if you register AND pay by 31st March!

*The conference fee covers your attendance at all 3 days including a networking event (canapes and drinks) on Friday evening and a conference dinner on Saturday, plus your SLA membership fee for 1 year.

Day 1: Thursday 15th May

We will be offering two workshops to provide attendees with the opportunity to improve their theoretical understanding of the concepts, models and tools of Systems Leadership Theory and their application in contemporary organisations.

Workshop 1 (morning): Reinforcing the concepts, models and tools of SLT

Workshop 2 (afternoon): A case study approach to the successful application of SLT

Days 2 and 3: Friday 16th and Saturday 17th May

Presentations and discussions on Successful use and application of Systems Leadership

We will share a more detailed agenda nearer to the event as we lock in presenter times.

How to Register:

For full details on how to register for the conference and accommodation options, click here

Latest Newsletter

To view the latest newsletters click on this link SLA Newsletter. This includes articles from some of our members on their work, as well as details of planned events.

 

 

 

 

Book Publication

“Organisations and Leadership during Covid-19: Studies using Systems Leadership Theory”

The SLA (SLDA) published book authored by several of our members looking at organisational and leadership responses to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Click here to see more details including how to purchase the book.

Contact Us/Enquiries

If you would like more information or to enquire about joining the Systems Leadership Development Association please contact us.

Become A Member

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Systems Leadership Development Association.