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Capacity Building

Build internal capacity and self-sufficiency by developing the skills, competencies, and best practices of applied systems thinking.

About Capacity Building

Developing the internal capability of our client organizations to practice and apply systems thinking on their own is the highest leverage and most sustainable work we do. We have successfully worked in depth with clients to transfer our know-how into their organizations. We do this through a highly customized combination of skill building, one-on-one as well as team coaching, and action learning projects that not only address the organization’s critical challenges but also leave people ready to continue applying systems thinking on their own.

Building Systems Thinking Capacity at TNC

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is one of the world’s largest nonprofit organizations “working to create a world where people and nature thrive.” It focuses on conserving and protecting lands and waters all around the globe and has had impact in over 70 countries and territories.

TNC embarked on a multi-year internal capacity building in Systems Thinking in order to profoundly enhance the ability of leaders in The Nature Conservancy to facilitate social and environmental change. The program focused on:

Deepening technical systems thinking skills and building confidence in applying systems thinking tools and frameworks to TNC change projects
Learning a common language for thinking systemically
Integrating systems thinking with other internal change strategies and learning disciplines to facilitate a comprehensive approach for sustainable success
Learning to lead as well as facilitate groups to work systemically on change problems

Results In Action

Graduates of TNC’s capacity building program have gone on to apply systems thinking to many of their complex change projects, including:

Convening stakeholders across multiple governmental levels, industry, and academia to prevent wildfires in a drought-stricken state
Integrating its transformational policy and conservation work
Developing a global funding model

“David and Mike have helped our executives and program managers build their ability to apply systems thinking to meet some of our most pressing internal and external challenges. Perhaps most importantly, they have provided us with the skills we need to carry this critical work forward without them.”
— Michael Tetreault, Chief People Officer, The Nature Conservancy

Learn more about systems thinking on our blog.

Let's Build Something Lasting

Work with us to apply systems thinking to your organization's toughest challenges.