About David
Who is David Stroh?
David Stroh is a distinguished founding partner at Bridgeway Partners and a faculty member at the Best Practice Institute (BPI). With over 35 years of experience as an organizational consultant, he is globally recognized for his pioneering work in applying systems thinking to address chronic and complex challenges across businesses, the public sector, and non-profit organizations. His commitment lies in empowering leaders to develop more productive and sustainable approaches to their work.
Stroh is also a founding director of appliedsystemsthinking.com and is affiliated with the Academy for Systems Change. His expertise is often sought by organizations aiming to achieve breakthrough, sustainable change by re-evaluating their foundational approaches to problem-solving and organizational dynamics.
What is David Stroh known for?
David Stroh is primarily known for his profound expertise in systems thinking and its practical application to create social and organizational change. He gained international recognition through his best-selling book, Systems Thinking for Social Change: A Practical Guide for Solving Complex Problems, Avoiding Unintended Consequences, and Achieving Lasting Results (Chelsea Green, 2015). This seminal work highlights his methodology for solving deeply entrenched issues and fostering sustainable development.
His career includes a significant role as a co-founder of Innovation Associates, a consulting firm whose innovative work in organizational learning profoundly influenced Peter Senge’s acclaimed book, The Fifth Discipline. Stroh is also a charter member of the Society for Organizational Learning, underscoring his long-standing dedication to advancing the field of organizational development and learning.
Throughout his career, Stroh has consulted for a diverse range of prominent clients, including the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the World Bank, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Johnson & Johnson, and Hewlett-Packard. These engagements consistently focused on helping these organizations develop strategies that improve system-wide performance and achieve lasting impact.
What is David Stroh's background and experience?
David Stroh’s extensive career spans over three decades as an organizational consultant, during which he has advised a wide array of organizations globally. His foundational education includes degrees from two prestigious institutions: he is a graduate of MIT and the University of Michigan, holding degrees in city planning and civil engineering. This blend of academic disciplines provides him with a unique perspective on understanding and addressing complex interdependent systems, whether in urban environments or organizational structures.
His commitment to the field of systems thinking is evident in his role as a founding partner of Bridgeway Partners, where he continues to influence organizational strategy. Stroh’s work is characterized by a deep understanding of how systems operate and how they can be realigned to produce more desirable outcomes, avoiding unintended consequences that often arise from conventional problem-solving approaches.
What topics does David Stroh speak and write about?
David Stroh's discourse and writings extensively cover the application of systems thinking to address complex social problems. He explores how this approach can be utilized to tackle critical issues such as homelessness, public health, education reform, child welfare, rural economic development, prisoner reentry programs, and conflict resolution. His emphasis is on enabling leaders to implement strategies that lead to sustainable change rather than temporary fixes.
Beyond his acclaimed book, Stroh has authored over 30 articles and book chapters, with many appearing in The Systems Thinker. His publications and presentations consistently delve into topics that highlight the interconnectedness of issues and the importance of systemic solutions. He frequently discusses how organizations can prevent "organizational overload" and move from reactive problem-solving to proactive, systemic interventions. Stroh has also explored the concept of systems thinking as a "spiritual practice," emphasizing its potential for deep, transformative impact.
How does David Stroh contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
As an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute (BPI), David Stroh brings his extensive knowledge and experience in systems thinking and organizational strategy to BPI’s offerings. He contributes to the institute’s mission by sharing insights on leadership, organizational development, and workplace culture, particularly through the lens of solving complex, chronic problems.
His participation in BPI webinars, such as "Is Moving Too Fast Slowing You Down? – How to Prevent Overload from Undermining Your Organization’s Performance," demonstrates his dedication to addressing contemporary challenges faced by leaders. Through such contributions, Stroh helps BPI members and the wider professional community understand how to apply systems thinking principles to avoid the pitfalls of organizational overload and foster high-performing, sustainable environments.