From Model to Practice
How systems thinking translates into leadership work
A model is only useful if it changes how people think and act. The Keystone Model was designed to move from theory to practice—helping leaders diagnose challenges, make wiser decisions, and steward healthier organizations.
How the Model Is Applied
In practice, the Keystone Model serves three core functions.
Diagnostic Lens
Leaders use the model to assess where their organization is strong and where it may be under strain. By examining Relational Infrastructure, Condition Creation, Dynamic Homeostasis, and Cascade Amplification, systemic patterns become visible that often remain hidden beneath surface-level symptoms.
Strategic Guide
The model helps leaders prioritise where to focus attention. Rather than trying to fix everything at once, it clarifies which mechanisms matter most in a given moment and where small shifts may lead to meaningful system-wide effects.
Shared Language
The model provides a common vocabulary grounded in living-systems thinking. Instead of vague conversations about "culture" or "morale," teams can name specific mechanisms and discuss responsibility and coordination—shifting leadership away from hierarchy and toward stewardship (the K Floor, rather than the C-suite).
Looking Ahead
Ongoing work is translating the Keystone Model into practical applications, including diagnostic tools, facilitated workshops, and leadership development pathways designed to support healthier, more resilient organizations.
A companion book, Lead Like a Rhino, is also in development, translating the research behind the model into accessible guidance for leaders navigating complexity and change.