By Dr. Virginia Lacayo
December’s theme for The Purpose Playbook is Adapting to a New Administration and New Realities. This month, we’re addressing the seismic changes nonprofits face under the new administration, where the political and cultural ground has shifted yet again. To remain impactful, nonprofits must embrace three critical shifts: moving from outrage and despair to purpose, from reactive fixes to systemic transformation, and from isolated efforts to interconnected alliances. By mastering these shifts, nonprofits can adapt their strategies to the new realities and move beyond reactive mode to remain sustainable and effective as powerful catalysts for meaningful and lasting change.
Imagine trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube by focusing on one side at a time. It seems logical at first, but as you work on one face, the others inevitably shift. However, to truly solve it, you must think about all six sides simultaneously. That’s what this Purpose Playbook article is about—helping nonprofits adopt a systems-thinking approach, where addressing one issue means understanding its connections to others.
I get it—as a nonprofit leader, you’re under constant pressure to “solve the Rubik’s cube” - or at least show your donors your progress. I am there with you! Resources are tight, and the stakes feel impossibly high. It is easy to fall into the cycle of doing what you can to fix immediate problems because the need is staring you in the face. But here’s what I learned through studying complexity science and social change: the only way the system changes is by changing the patterns of interaction of its elements. And that’s where we need to shift our focus.
How many meals would it take to end hunger?
The answer is unsettling: we don’t know. Distributing meals might help someone today, but it doesn’t change the conditions that made them hungry in the first place. Hunger exists because of systemic issues—economic inequality, lack of education, inadequate healthcare, and flawed policies—that are deeply interconnected. Hunger, like so many problems nonprofits tackle, isn’t linear. Like the Rubik’s Cube, you can’t solve it by addressing one piece at a time. That’s what systemic change requires: understanding the connections and transforming the patterns of interaction.
Nonprofits are often stuck in a cycle of short-term fixes, driven by the pressure to deliver measurable results quickly. Donors want to know how many meals were served or how many people were helped. But unless we challenge ourselves to think beyond these metrics and tackle the underlying systems, the problems will persist. Tackling hunger—or any complex issue—means stepping back and asking bigger questions: What creates food insecurity? How do economic policies and access to resources shape people’s ability to feed their families? Who benefits from the current system staying as it is?
Answering these questions isn’t easy, and it requires a mindset shift. But it’s the only way to move beyond treating symptoms and start addressing root causes.
The Core Insight: Systems Thinking
If complex problems are not solved by linear thinking, how are they solved? The answer is systems thinking - the antidote to a reactive, “fixing” mindset. If trying to fix a problem piece by piece feels frustratingly ineffective, it’s because you’re only addressing parts of a much larger whole.
Think back to the Rubik’s Cube metaphor. Solving it isn’t about fixing one side at a time. The moment you adjust one side, the others change. To solve the cube, you must work on all sides together, thinking through their relationships and interactions. Social change works the same way. You can’t just address one issue in isolation because the system will adjust in ways you might not expect. That’s why understanding the patterns of interaction within a system is so essential.
Systems thinking asks us to look deeper and consider leverage points—places where small, strategic changes can create outsized impact. It’s about shifting the focus from solving isolated problems to influencing the whole system's behavior. For nonprofits, this means moving from a mindset of quick fixes to a long-term, adaptive approach that embraces the complexity of the challenges we face.
Here’s the old mindset many of us have been trained to follow: “Our mission is to solve problems through clear plans, measurable outcomes, and immediate results.” Sounds familiar, right?
But here’s the mindset we need: “Our mission is to influence complex systems by fostering collaboration, experimenting with solutions, and embracing long-term change—even when the path isn’t clear.”
This isn’t about abandoning direct services—far from it. It’s about embedding those services within a broader strategy that addresses the root causes of the issues we’re tackling. It’s about influencing the system to behave differently, not just responding to its current outputs.
How to Shift from Fixing to Influencing
Shifting from fixing problems to influencing systems is at the heart of systems thinking. This approach is about more than addressing symptoms—it’s about creating meaningful, lasting change by understanding and reshaping the dynamics that keep those problems in place. Influence is key because it recognizes that nonprofits don’t operate in isolation; they are part of complex ecosystems where small, strategic actions can ripple outward to shift the entire system. Here are some insights on how systems thinking empowers your organization to move beyond reactive fixes and take on the role of a systems influencer, driving transformation that endures.
Identify the Root Issues
When tackling a problem, start by looking deeper into its systemic causes. For example, hunger is not just about food distribution—it’s tied to policies, access to resources, and broader socioeconomic conditions. Begin by asking questions such as:
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What systemic barriers contribute to this issue?
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How do policies, cultural norms, or inequities maintain the problem?
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Where are the leverage points where intervention can have the most impact?
By identifying root causes, nonprofits can focus their efforts on creating sustainable change rather than treating symptoms.
Embrace Emergence
Complex systems are unpredictable. Strategies that work today might not work tomorrow. Systems thinking requires flexibility and a willingness to experiment. Start by:
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Testing small-scale interventions to see what works.
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Learning from failures and adapting strategies accordingly.
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Staying open to unexpected opportunities for systemic change.
Emergence is about letting go of rigid plans and embracing the fluidity of complex systems.
Build Interconnected Alliances
No single organization can create systemic change on its own. Collaboration across sectors and communities is key. To build meaningful partnerships, ask:
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Who shares a stake in this issue, even if their mission differs from ours?
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How can we pool resources and expertise to achieve shared goals?
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Are we willing to share credit and decision-making power to create real impact?
Working together amplifies efforts and ensures solutions address the full complexity of the issue.
Challenges in Adopting Systems Thinking
Embracing systems thinking is transformative, but it’s not without challenges. Nonprofits may face resistance from within and outside their organizations as they pivot from a linear, reactive mindset to a systemic, long-term approach. Here’s what to expect:
Internal Resistance from Staff
Shifting to systems thinking often requires a cultural transformation. Staff members accustomed to clear, linear goals may feel overwhelmed by the complexity and uncertainty that systems thinking entails. Questions like, “How will we measure success?” or “Why change what’s working?” may arise. Leaders must invest in training and create spaces for dialogue, helping their teams see the long-term potential of this mindset.
Donor Expectations
Many donors prioritize immediate, tangible results—meals served, shelters built, or people directly helped. Systems thinking challenges these conventional metrics by focusing on long-term systemic changes. Nonprofits must learn to tell compelling stories about their systemic work, showing donors how influencing patterns of interaction creates sustainable solutions. Building donor understanding and trust takes time but is essential for aligning funding with systemic goals.
Board Hesitation
Board members, often steeped in traditional metrics of success, might question the shift to systems thinking. Leaders will need to demonstrate early wins and frame this approach as amplifying the organization’s mission. Highlighting how systems thinking aligns with the nonprofit’s core values can help bridge the gap.
Collaboration Challenges
True systems change requires collaboration across organizations, sectors, and communities. Sharing resources, credit, and even decision-making power can feel uncomfortable for some. Nonprofits must embrace vulnerability and trust to build the alliances necessary for systemic impact.
By addressing these challenges head-on, nonprofits can cultivate a culture that accepts and thrives under a system-thinking approach.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
The changes we are facing are unsettling and systemic change and social justice are only getting more complex. I know, it might feel overwhelming. It can feel like there’s never enough time, money, or energy to do it all. But here’s the thing: with every challenge comes an opportunity to reimagine how we work and what we’re working toward. When we focus on influencing systems instead of just fixing problems, we move beyond short-term solutions and start creating the conditions for equity, justice, and sustainability. This isn’t just about doing more; it’s about doing differently—and doing better. And the good news? You don’t have to do it alone or all at once. There’s a whole community of us who are ready to walk this path with you.
So here’s my challenge to you: take a step back. Look at the systems you’re working within. Ask yourself:
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Where am I stuck in “fixing’ or reactive mode?
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How can I better influence the patterns of interaction within the system?
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What alliances can I build to amplify our mission?
This isn’t easy work, and it won’t happen overnight. But it’s the work that matters most. Together, we can stop enduring the never-ending climbing of infinite mountains and start changing the landscape so we don’t have to face those challenges again and again.
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