My Favorite Theory of System Change: The Two Loops Model

In 2015 I joined a project called the ED Waits and Patient Flow initiative in Saskatchewan.  I worked as an Independent Consultant on the project and had the privilege of being on a team with some of the smartest, most ambitious people I had ever worked with.  The project was so exciting, so interesting and the opportunity was huge – a rare moment to put forward innovative policy ideas to those in the highest positions of power. But as we pushed forward, we felt the resistance.  Our innovative and creative ideas gave to old, worn out ideas that we had shown would not reduce ED Waits and improve Patient Flow in our largest hospitals.  My frustration grew and after the project ended, I wondered if I ever wanted to work in this space of system improvement again. It was too demoralizing…

But then a few years later I came across the Berkana Institute’s Two Loop Model and, for me, it was like a lightning bolt– this is what I experienced in that ED Waits and Patient Flow Project – a battle between those who wanted system change and those who, in my mind, didn’t. And it honestly did start to feel like a battle – one force pushing forward, one force pushing back without understanding that we were living in a natural dynamic and dialogue of transition.  As Emma Proud describes it so well in the above video, The Two Loops Model illustrates the transition process as a dance between two states of existence—the familiar past and the uncharted future. This model emphasizes the understanding the roles we each play within this transformative journey.

One of the most eye-opening aspects of this model is the role of Stabilizers. I often saw these “Stabilizers” as my mortal enemy – operating out of fear just wanting to exert power and control – making it difficult for new ideas and innovations to break through.  But over time I have learned that Stabilizers play an essential role by providing continuity and balance during times of change.  Their caution helps prevent hasty decisions that could lead to disruption and chaos. They possess valuable insights that can help us identify potential pitfalls and safeguard against unnecessary risks ensuring change is thoughtful.  They are not just resisting out of spite but are critical to ensuring responsible change. 

In contrast to Stabilizers we have the “Pioneers”. These are the visionaries, the innovators—those who step into the unknown, embracing change with open arms. They are the catalysts for progress, impatient with the status quo and push forward with courage and boundless energy. They are often labelled as “unrealistic” or that they don’t see or understand “the real world” but these are MY PEOPLE! I love being in spaces with Pioneers! Innovation! Learning! Curiosity! Pushing the boundaries! I am here for it! But I also know that we can be SUPER annoying…

So, what is the path forward when we enter into that awkward dynamic between Stabilizers and Pioneers? Well, my previous approach was to complain and demonize the Stabilizers to anyone that would listen but now, I know that the key to leveraging this dynamic is considering the concept of building networks. But even beyond that I think a better name is creating spaces for “Catalyzing Conversations”.  Think of the dominant system as oil and future system as water – Catalyzing Conversations are like the emulsifier that allows them to mix. 

Catalyzing Conversations are formal and informal spaces where people talk and help each other navigate change together. These connections facilitate open dialogue, shared experiences, and collective wisdom, fostering an environment where both the old and new can coexist while gently guiding one another toward progress. Catalyzing Conversations are different than your regular meetings – it goes to a place where people verbalize and process fears and anxieties while also giving space for the courageous emergence of new ideas. Done right, these opportunities provide a space for both Pioneers and Stabilizers to process change ideas with honesty, transparency, and… maybe even a little debate and conflict (GASP!).

The Two Loops Model has been a paradigm shifter for me, providing a framework to recognize the balance between holding on and moving forward. It has empowered me to confront my own stereotypes and remind myself that both Stabilizers and Pioneers play essential roles in this ongoing process. It has also helped me recognize the power of creating more open and honest collaborative spaces in the pursuit of system change.

So I’m curious – do you see yourself predominantly as a Pioneer or Stabilizer? Do you think more open and collaborative discussion spaces are needed for system change? Are Catalyzing Conversations happening where you are?