[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Systems Thinking and the Engineering Leader

## Details

**Authors** Schreiner J, Gibson H, Morales R

**Year** 2023

**Publisher** Journal of Systems Thinking 3(1):1-13

**Kind of work** article

**Discipline** Engineering

**Secondary disciplines** Business & Management

**Reading level** intermediate

**Kind of engagement** scholarly

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.54120/jost.000003) 
10.54120/jost.000003

## In authors' words

### Abstract

Engineering Leadership (EL) is a dynamic undertaking which seeks the alignment of the many ‘ways and means’ to achieve organizational goals, and thus realize advancement in engineering and technological disciplines. This chapter examines the core competencies of the Engineering Leader, the role and ‘fit’ of Systems Thinking in EL, and how an organization might invest in a culture of EL growth. A historic and contemporary review of contributors in leadership and technical management theory are presented alongside applied vignettes. Mental model representations of core competencies and Systems Engineering in EL provide a graphical road-map to think about developing Engineering Leaders.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

A chapter on the core competencies of the engineering leader, the fit of systems thinking in engineering leadership, and how an organization can invest in a culture of growing engineering leaders.

### What they found (results)

Historic and contemporary leadership theory, applied vignettes, and mental-model representations combine into a graphical road-map for developing engineering leaders.

## Commentary

### In short

Examines the core skills of engineering leaders and where systems thinking fits among them.

### Response

Published in the Handbook of Systems Thinking (Cabrera, Cabrera & Midgley, eds., 2023), a volume built on the premise that systems thinking now has a universal theory—DSRP-484. Its contents were selected on that basis by its editorial team in concert with a team of advisors.

**Patterns it shows** D, S, R, P

## Refers to

- [Handbook of Systems Thinking](https://dsrpevidence.org/element/382)

## Questions it bears on

- Referred to by: [Systems Thinking for Systems Engineers: A Foundational Skill](https://dsrpevidence.org/element/415)

**How to cite this** Schreiner J, Gibson H, Morales R (2023). Systems Thinking and the Engineering Leader. Journal of Systems Thinking 3(1):1-13.