About the Author:
Rehanna Siew Sarju, shares her perspective on reimagining leadership and authentic DEI representation. She also shares why she has chosen to work with Strategy Systems. Share your thoughts on her inaugural blog.
Strategy Development from the Margins: Reimagining Leadership and Power in the Public and Non-Profit Sectors
In the public and non-profit sectors, there is a growing push for more diversity and representation. However, representation must go beyond entry-level roles or surface-level diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. We need diverse voices where they matter most—at the leadership table, especially in shaping strategy.
Historically, strategies have been tools for those in power to advance their agendas. But when strategists come from the margins—those who have been excluded from leadership and decision-making—something remarkable happens. These individuals bring fresh perspectives rooted in lived experience. They understand the challenges marginalized communities face and approach problem-solving with creativity and innovation, having had to navigate systems that weren’t built for them.
As someone passionate about this shift, I draw inspiration from Paulo Freire’s work on power dynamics and challenging the status quo. Freire believed that marginalized individuals possess a unique vision to drive transformative change. This is why we need more strategists from the margins in positions of power. We cannot build equitable systems without involving those who have experienced inequity.
This leadership doesn’t just benefit marginalized communities; it enriches organizations with innovative, inclusive strategies grounded in real-world experience. When strategists from the margins lead, they help dismantle the very systems of exclusion that have long dominated and stifled meaningful progress.
Resistance to Change: Addressing Pushback Against Marginalized Strategists
Despite the clear benefits of having strategists from the margins in leadership, it is not happening. Some may dismiss this shift as simply “DEI hires,” reducing the value of these individuals. This narrative overlooks the expertise and strategic thinking that marginalized leaders bring to the table, framing their inclusion as obligatory rather than transformative.
True transformation requires organizations to move beyond token gestures of diversity. They must invest in leadership from the margins, recognizing that they offer different perspectives and also bold, equity-focused solutions that challenge the status quo.
Why I Choose Strategy Systems: A New Approach to Consulting
At Strategy Systems, we offer an alternative to traditional consulting. We don’t believe in surface-level change. Instead, we focus on creating strategies that are truly transformative strategies made by, with, and for the people served by the public and non-profit sectors.
Our work reflects my belief that leadership and strategy must challenge the status quo. We partner with organizations to build equitable solutions rooted in real-world experiences, creating strategies that are sustainable, innovative, and, most importantly, equitable.
Takeaway question…
- Are you a strategist from the margins?
- What does the strategic planning process look like for you?
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