Leading for Systemness: A Lutheran Response to a New Era in Education
In his compelling article “Leadership for System Change in Education: You Have to Be There”, Michael Fullan calls for a radical reimagining of how we lead and transform education systems. After 60 years of reform with limited impact, he argues that the time is now—2025 to 2030—for bold, collective action grounded in what he calls “systemness”: a shared commitment across all levels of education to measurable, meaningful change.
This resonates deeply with our context in Lutheran Education, where we are guided by the overarching leadership framework—Growing Deep—which equips us to lead with purpose, compassion, and courage. Within this framework sits Free to Flourish, our clear and hopeful vision for learners and learning. It is the outworking of our leadership, shaping the environments and relationships that allow learners to thrive.
Key Insights from Fullan’s Article
- Systemness starts from the ground up: Change must be driven by students, educators, and communities, not imposed from the top. This aligns with our belief that learners are active participants in shaping their learning and futures.
- South Australia as a case study: Fullan highlights SA’s system-wide strategy focused on wellbeing, equity, learner agency, and global competencies. As a small, agile system, Lutheran Education is well-positioned to lead similar transformation—quickly, collaboratively, and with deep relational trust.
- Leadership for the future: Fullan outlines five leadership traits—Spirit Work, Contextual Literacy, Connected Autonomy, Legacy Leadership, and Systemness. These echo the Growing Deep capabilities of leading with integrity, building community, and engaging the wider world.
- Youth as co-leaders: Rather than simply giving students a voice, Fullan urges us to invite them into co-direction. This is a powerful affirmation of our Free to Flourish vision, which sees learners as relational, compassionate, relational and purposeful, and capable of shaping a better world.
Connecting to Our Lutheran Identity
- Free to Flourish is not just a vision—it’s a call to action. It invites us to nurture learning communities where learners are seen, known, and empowered to grow in faith, hope, and love.
- Growing Deep reminds us that leadership is relational, vocational, and grounded in service. Fullan’s call to “build the base” and “intrigue the top” aligns with our commitment to lead from the middle—with humility, clarity, and courage.
- As a small, connected system, Lutheran Education has a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of this new era. We can move quickly, learn deeply, and model what system-wide transformation looks like when it is rooted in faith and community.
Where to Next?
- How might we deepen our commitment to learner agency and co-direction?
- What does “systemness” look like in our learning communities, regions, and national network?
- How can we lead with both spirit work and strategic clarity, as Fullan suggests?
Let’s continue to lead boldly, grounded in our shared vision and values—so that every learner in our care is truly free to flourish.
Kim Powell
Learning Leader: Innovation
