As coaches, we often find ourselves working with clients who are navigating not only personal challenges but also the intricate web of relationships, social structures, and societal pressures that impact their lives.
This complexity requires an approach to coaching that goes beyond addressing individual behaviours or setting isolated goals.
Enter systemic coaching—an approach that recognises the interconnectedness of the many systems influencing our clients’ lives.
Systemic coaching enables us to see the bigger picture, understand the patterns and relationships at play, and facilitate sustainable, holistic change that resonates far beyond the individual.
In this article, we will explore how embracing systemic coaching transforms our approach to coaching, providing deeper insight into the personal, relational, and societal systems that shape human behaviour and growth.
By incorporating systemic perspectives, we can create more meaningful and lasting transformations for our clients.
What is Systemic Thinking?
At its core, systemic coaching is an approach that recognises that individuals are part of larger systems—whether those are personal (like their beliefs and emotions), relational (family, work, friendships), or societal (cultural, political, environmental structures).
These systems are interconnected and dynamic, constantly influencing one another.
In traditional coaching models, the focus is often on the individual—what they think, feel, and do.
Systemic coaching, however, invites us to zoom out and consider the broader context in which the individual operates.
It asks questions like:
- How do the client’s relationships impact their decisions?
- What societal or cultural factors influence their beliefs and behaviour?
- How are larger organisational structures or systems shaping their experience of success or failure?
By seeing the client as part of these interdependent systems, systemic thinking provides a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities they face.
This allows for deeper, more meaningful coaching conversations that address not only personal change but the larger context of that change.
The Interconnectedness of Personal, Relational, and Societal Systems
When we think systemically, we acknowledge that a client’s behaviours and experiences don’t happen in isolation. They are influenced by various systems that work together in complex ways.
Let’s explore the different layers of these systems:
Personal Systems: Thoughts, Emotions, and Internal Beliefs
Every individual operates within their own personal system of thoughts, emotions, and core beliefs. These internal systems often drive decision-making, shape perceptions, and influence behaviours.
However, these personal systems don’t form in a vacuum—they are shaped by interactions with external systems, like family, culture, and society.
For example, a client may struggle with self-doubt not just because of personal insecurities but because of years of internalising societal messages about what success should look like.
By recognising the influence of both the internal and external systems, we can help clients reframe limiting beliefs and break free from patterns that no longer serve them.
Relational Systems: Families, Friendships, and Professional Networks
Our clients are embedded in a network of relationships that deeply affect their choices, behaviours, and sense of identity.
These relational systems include family dynamics, friendships, and professional environments. Each relationship is a system in itself, with its own set of rules, patterns, and expectations.
For example, a client’s decision to pursue a new career might be heavily influenced by their family’s expectations or their role in a work environment.
Systemic coaching encourages us to explore how these relational systems either support or inhibit the client’s growth and change.
Societal Systems: Culture, Politics, and Social Norms
Beyond personal and relational systems, there are broader societal structures that shape how individuals navigate the world.
Culture, politics, social norms, and even economic systems influence the opportunities available to our clients and the challenges they face.
For example, societal expectations around gender roles, race, or socioeconomic status may limit a client’s sense of what’s possible for them.
Systemic coaching allows us to bring these larger influences into the conversation, helping clients understand how external systems shape their internal experiences and how they can navigate these forces in pursuit of meaningful change.
How Systemic Thinking Changes Our Approach to Coaching
Moving Beyond the Individual: Coaching the Whole Person in Context
Traditional coaching often focuses on changing individual behaviours, mindsets, or skills.
However, systemic coaching shifts the focus from the individual to the systems they are part of. Rather than viewing a client’s problem as an isolated issue, systemic coaching recognises it as part of a larger set of interactions and influences.
For example, a client who struggles with work-life balance may not simply need better time management skills. The issue could be rooted in their workplace culture, family expectations, or even societal pressure to “do it all.” A systemic approach helps uncover these deeper layers and invites the client to explore how they can influence or adapt to these systems for lasting change.
Working with Patterns, Not Just Problems
Systemic coaching also encourages us to look for patterns of behaviour rather than isolated issues. By identifying recurring patterns, we can help clients see how their actions are connected to larger systems and develop strategies that address the root causes of their challenges.
For instance, a client may repeatedly experience conflict in their relationships.
A systemic approach would explore not only the client’s behaviour but also the relational dynamics and historical patterns that contribute to these conflicts. By addressing these underlying systems, the client is more likely to achieve sustainable change rather than temporary fixes.
Facilitating Sustainable Change
Because systemic coaching takes into account the interconnectedness of various systems, it enables clients to create more sustainable, holistic change.
When clients recognise that change in one area of their life impacts other areas, they are better equipped to make choices that align with their long-term goals and values.
Rather than focusing solely on immediate outcomes, systemic coaching encourages clients to think about the ripple effects of their actions and decisions across all areas of their life.
This approach fosters more thoughtful, intentional change that leads to greater long-term satisfaction.
Practical Strategies for Systemic Coaching
To effectively bring systemic coaching into your practice, it’s important to adopt strategies that help clients explore their interconnected systems.
Here are some practical approaches:
1. Use Systemic Questions
Ask questions that encourage clients to think about the broader systems in their lives. For example:
- “How do the expectations of those around you influence your decisions?”
- “What patterns do you notice in how you respond to challenges across different areas of your life?”
- “How does this situation fit into the larger context of your personal, relational, or societal systems?”
These questions prompt clients to move beyond the surface and explore how different systems interact to shape their experience.
2. Encourage Mapping of Systems
Visualising the systems at play can be a powerful tool for clients.
Encourage them to create a map or diagram of the various systems that influence their life—personal, relational, and societal. This visual representation helps clients see connections and patterns that they may not have previously noticed.
3. Focus on Leverage Points for Change
In systemic thinking, small changes in one part of a system can have significant effects across the whole system.
Help clients identify leverage points where they can make strategic changes that will ripple out and impact other areas of their life.
For example, shifting one aspect of a relational dynamic may lead to greater harmony in other relationships or areas of work-life balance.
4. Explore External Influences
Invite clients to reflect on the societal systems that impact their behaviour and choices.
For example, if a client feels overwhelmed by career expectations, explore how societal norms around success or productivity may be influencing their beliefs. Understanding these influences can help clients consciously choose how they want to engage with or redefine those expectations.
Conclusion: Embracing Complexity for Lasting Transformation
Systemic coaching invites us to see beyond the individual and appreciate the intricate web of relationships, systems, and societal structures that influence our clients’ lives.
By embracing this complexity, we can create deeper, more meaningful coaching conversations that go beyond quick fixes and address the root causes of challenges.
When we coach with a systemic lens, we enable clients to understand the patterns that shape their behaviour, recognise how different systems influence their choices, and identify opportunities for sustainable transformation.
In a world where change is often seen as an individual effort, systemic thinking reminds us that transformation is not just personal—it’s relational, societal, and deeply interconnected.
By integrating systemic coaching into your practice, you not only support your clients in creating more intentional and lasting change but also help them navigate the complexities of life with greater clarity, resilience, and purpose.
- Author Details