Systems Leadership Development Association

About the SLDA

Systems Leadership (SL) is a coherent and integrated theory of organisational behaviour developed over several decades by Dr Ian Macdonald, Dr Catie Burke, Karl Stewart and others building on work with Elliott Jaques.

The SL models have been developed and refined through research and practical application in a great diversity of industries, sectors and cultural settings.

The book ‘Systems Leadership, Creating Positive Organisations’ by Macdonald, Burke and Stewart first published in 2006 and now in its 2nd edition (2018) provides a comprehensive outline of SL. Numerous other papers have also been written or published on the subject.

A number of consultancies and individuals around the world have successfully built businesses applying to some extent the SL concepts with client organisations. Many of these people and others who have developed a deep interest in SL have now come together to establish a formal interest group as a vehicle for further development of SL, its application and their understanding of both.

The purpose of the SLDA is to encourage the understanding of the sustainable application of Systems Leadership in diverse work environments.

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SLDA Charter

This group became the Systems Leadership Development Association (SLDA) in 2014.

A Charter has been developed to provide a clear description of the Association, its purpose, scope, guiding principles and how it works. View a copy of the Charter.

Latest news

Annual Conference 2024

The annual conference was held from the 18th – 20th April at the Hilton Hotel in Cairns, it was well attended and was a great success. Members are able to access recordings from the conference via the ‘Past Conferences’ page in the members area of the website. 

Book Publication

A group of our members, comprising Geoff McGill, Ian Macdonald, Hilton Barnett, Clive Dixon, Rob Chaston, Graeme Mitchell, Dr Julie Highfield, Don Farrands and Tom Palmer, commenced working on a series of case studies looking at organisational and leadership responses to the Pandemic last year. These studies use Systems Leadership Theory to analyse the differing experiences across a range of diverse organisations, ranging from global organisations to small businesses in Australia.

The studies have now been brought together into a publication. The SLDA has provided financial support and Mark Potter coordinated the self-publishing of the book which now represents the SLDA’s first publication. The book is titled:

“Organisations and Leadership during Covid-19: Studies using Systems Leadership Theory”

It is available through bookstores both in Australia and overseas with a RRP of AU$24.99 for the paperback version and AU$19.99 for the eBook.

Resellers such as Angus and Robertson, Booktopia, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo have listed the book. The print version has also just been recommended for addition to the Monash University library and the eBook has already made its way into a public library in Tucson, Arizona, USA.

We have a limited number of the books on hand in our Brisbane based SLDA office which we are offering to members for AU$20.00 for the paperback (plus postage) and AU$15.00 for the eBook (via download). If you are interested in purchasing either version, please contact our Secretariat, Emma at enquiries@sldassociation.com. Payment can be arranged via direct deposit or credit card.

SLDA Operating Committee

Latest Newsletter

To view the latest newsletters click on this link SLDA Newsletter. This includes articles from some of our members on their work, as well as details of planned events.

Upcoming Development Activities

Watch this space and our next newsletter due early 2024.


For information on other upcoming events, refer to the Development Activities link below.

ISBN 978-0-646-84924-9 Paperback
ISBN 978-0-646-84925-6 eBook (epub)

Contact Us/Enquiries

If you would like more information or to enquire about joining the Systems Leadership Development Association please contact us.

Become A Member

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Systems Leadership Development Association.