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Tracy Kaplan |
How many of us work within a system? What is a “system”
anyway? Systems can include: organizations, or the people, processes and
structures housed within them, such as state and federally-funded programs for
individuals, our places of work, and even local community clubs. These are all
examples of systems that many of us interact with on a frequent, if not regular
basis. Using this definition, many career professionals certainly work within
at least one, if not several. With such a high possibility of professionals
working within some sort of system, how many of us have ever experienced that
feeling of “fighting the system?” I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve definitely
felt this way before.
Prior to beginning my Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) project, I had numerous reservations
about a particular system in my state. Significant budget cuts and a lack of
providers contributed to major changes that led to modifications to the entire system
including service provision. I was anxious and unsure about the possible impacts
these changes would have on children and families. I was also disappointed in
the new ways this system functioned, and I felt like it didn’t match with my
personal beliefs and professional training. However, after learning more about my
potential role in regards to systems, I soon developed quite a shift in my
perspective.
In a nutshell this is what I learned:
Thought #1: Systems are always going to be
here. There will be good systems and
not-so-good systems.
The system that I was involved in was not going to just up
and go away. As with many, they are set in place for the long haul. Knowing that
systems are here to stay, it’s important to recognize they will either get better or worse. So, instead of trying to be an obstacle, why not be a part
of its positive growth and development? Why not step forward and collaborate?
Collaboration is a main tenant LEND training programs emphasize, and it’s truly
an underlying key to success at individual and system-wide levels.
Thought #2: Collaboration doesn’t mean giving
up. What it does mean is that we must attempt to figure out exactly how to
combine our individual efforts, strengths, and abilities with these systems in
order to make them the most robust, efficient, and effective. For me, just
recognizing that I was working toward the
same goal as the system, was quite a novel thought. Although we were in
disagreement about what to do and how to do it, we both possessed the same
overarching aims. Further, it takes a lot more courage sometimes to find a
balance among yourself and others, than it does to sit back, complain, and do
nothing. To do nothing at all is actually
the worst thing that you can do.
Thought #3: Disagreement doesn’t have to lead to a
“fight.” Even though I didn’t fully
agree with the current system that I was working with, that didn’t mean I had
to fight against it. Sometimes fighting can take much more energy and resources
than attempting to collaborate and “go with the flow.” So, instead of grumbling
about what I thought the system should be like, I needed to take a more active
role in making this system even better.
Essentially, I went from being that “ole’ stick in the mud” to “hopping on the
bandwagon.” Shifting from this more independent mindset, to a more positive and
collaborative one was eye opening. We can either try to fight against a system,
or we can learn to embrace it and help it achieve what it’s ultimately striving
for.
Thought #4: Things can always be worse. Someone always has it worse off than you. We should realize
how lucky we are to have many of these systems, even the ones that we feel aren’t
the most amazing….because chances are, there is another city, state, or country
that has a worse system or no system at all. I realized that although my system
wasn’t perfect, it was better than nothing at all; and it certainly wasn’t the
worst system out there. Sometimes we don’t even have multiple systems of which
to take advantage. Instead of criticizing the only one you’ve got, why not try
to make it shine? Help make it the best darn system that it can be!
Final Thought: Embrace the “inner
change.” As we grow professionally, we are constantly learning and changing
every day. Our jobs shape us, not just as professionals, but also as individuals.
Systems can spark change among us as well. Learning about the importance of
collaboration is one thing, but to put it into motion is another. I was
fortunate to put this lesson into practice, and to have this “systems
revelation” early on in my career (thanks to LEND), which I know will be a
blessing for sure.
So, just in case you haven’t had this “wrinkle” develop on
your brain yet, I hope that you will find this lesson learned as valuable as I
did. Everyone can reap the benefits if
we only just meet in the middle and stand together.
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