Why Dialogue Matters in System Change

John Atkinson, from Heart of the Art

Today, leaders and changemakers are increasingly recognising that real progress requires moving beyond traditional, top-down approaches toward ways of working that are more collaborative and adaptive. In this shift, dialogue plays a central role, creating the space for listening, understanding, and co-creating new possibilities.  

Rather than imposing fixed solutions, enabling dialogue allows diverse voices to be heard and valued, building the trust and shared purpose needed to tackle complexity. This is the foundation of systemic change: engaging people in meaningful conversations that open the way for collective action and transformative outcomes. 

John Atkinson is a designer, architect, mentor and catalyst for whole system transformation. He helped shape the global conversations that led to the United Nations Food Systems Summit, engaging people in 150 countries and creating the conditions where real dialogue could happen around some of the most complex challenges of our time. 

As the guest speaker for our September seminar, John is offering the rare opportunity to step behind the scenes and explore how Dialogue has created the conditions for real system change.  

The Reality of System Change  

When we think about systems change, it’s tempting to think of a prescribed methodology or route to an answer, with clean frameworks and tidy Gantt charts, that ultimately results in success. However, as John and his co-author David Nabarro have written, the reality is that leading complex issues is often tough, deeply personal, political, and often challenging for all those involved.  

John says that systems leadership requires more than technical competence. It demands the ability to bring people together who share common values and unite them around a collective purpose. It requires collaboration among a broad range of stakeholders and inclusive workshops with diverse voices to capture outcomes in ways that directly influence strategies and plans.  

He says, “leadership requires the capacity to navigate difference”. Good leaders help people make sense of their perspectives to achieve greater impact.  

The Art of Dialogue  

Dialogue is part of everyday human existence. It exists in structured discussions, informal exchanges, rituals and traditions. It's how we connect and learn from each other.  

It’s through conversations that we share ideas, emotions and perspectives, build relationships, resolve conflict, collaborate, and make sense of the world. Dialogue helps us shape our identities: our values and beliefs, and how we establish our sense of self and our community. 

In 2021, both global and national food systems were characterised by tension and struggles over power. Much of this influence rested with governments and major corporations, leaving smallholder farmers at a disadvantage. 

John was brought in as an advisor for 4SD to enable inclusive, multi-stakeholder dialogue at the UN Food Systems Summit. He helped shape approaches that have made a significant impact on people’s relationship with our environment, including engaging through dialogue in 150 countries with well over one hundred thousand people. 

4SD created a framework that enabled over 1,600 dialogues across 148 countries, led by government-appointed and independent convenors. 

Organising 1,600+ dialogues for the UN Food Systems Summit required a carefully designed but flexible system that balanced global objectives with local needs. The process was guided by five key principles: 

• Clarity of purpose 

• Inclusive participation  

• Adaptability to local contexts  

• Openness to learning and evolution  

• Delivering meaningful outcomes within a year despite COVID-19 constraints 

John says that by its very nature, systems are complex, and food systems are no exception. This was a complex human environment affected by power. He says that 4SD understood that no single individual could drive transformation across 100+ countries. Instead, they tapped into the collective enthusiasm and goodwill of the many to build momentum. 

Progress relied on adopting a systems leadership mindset: curiosity, adaptability, and openness to continuous learning. Asking “What is happening here?” and “What might work?”  

The Food Systems Summit Dialogues highlighted the importance of neutrality in these environments. Rather than pushing a fixed agenda, the aim was to create inclusive spaces where participants’ priorities came first. Working in such charged spaces also means engaging with strong emotions and passions, yet remaining impartial was crucial to building trust and credibility. 

Join Us This September 

In our September seminar, John Atkinson - Director at Heart of the Art and Adviser to the UN Nature-Based Solutions workstream for the UN Climate Action Summit - will share how  Dialogue can be used to create the conditions for alternative futures to emerge, and for systems to adapt in the face of uncertainty. 

 You’ll walk away with: 

• An introduction to Dialogue as a powerful method for systems change 

• Insights from a real-world case study on transforming global food systems 

• Ideas for how you might apply Dialogue in your own context—whether you're shaping policy, strategy, or services 

You don’t want to miss this one!  

Designed for public and private sector change makers alike, this seminar will stretch your systems thinking approaches and offer practical tools to support deeper, more constructive conversations in complex environments. 

Join us and explore how Dialogue can become a catalyst for the futures we need.  Save Your Seat!